Alternative Provision

Students on roll with APT have access to bespoke individualised timetables consisting of a blend of 1:1 support from their key worker and vocational qualifications delivered both in house and through off site external alternative providers.

This academic year we have launched our own internal alternative provision offer in Music and will soon be introducing Media. Our music provision runs in collaboration with Elementz studio in Nottingham and is delivered from their studio in Nottingham City Centre where students work towards the BTEC Music qualification. Our Media provision, will be delivered from our Kirk Hallam site and is due to launch in May 24. Students accessing our Media provision will work towards the BTEC Media qualification.

As well as our growing internal offer, Esteem Valley Academy commission external alternative providers for the school that are high quality and can offer at least a good standard of education to our students. We currently have over 30 external alternative providers that students have access to and we identify appropriate provisions based on our students needs and interests.

In addition to working towards vocational qualifications, all APT students are supported to achieve qualifications in English and Maths delivered by their APT Keyworker. We initially focus on working towards Functional Skill’s qualifications at the appropriate level based on their baseline assessment but where students have the capacity they are given the opportunity to take GCSE’s. All students also engage in PSHRE covering a range of topics including careers, healthy lifestyles, keeping safe, substance misuse, sexual relationships and discrimination. One to one sessions are predominantly delivered form our Kirk Hallam site where appropriate but we also support students in their homes or at an arranged venue.

READING INITIATIVES

Some students may benefit from support with their reading during one to one sessions.  APT students can follow the whole academy phonic programme or may access reciprocal reading with their keyworker. This can be delivered by their APT Keyworker in one to one sessions. These reading activities help students with strategies for sounding words and rapidly build their confidence. Students will also be encouraged to read at their vocational provisions on a daily basis

HOW CAN PARENTS FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE CURRICULUM?

The subjects on offer to APT students are so diverse. Each subject may be offered by several different exam boards depending on which alternative provision the student attends. More information about each qualification can be obtained from the APT keyworkers or APT Lead Emma Beresford.

APPROACH TO DELIVERING THE CURRICULUM

Every student in APT has a personalised timetable which caters for their needs, interests, skill set, engagement and behaviour. Our focus is to re-engage students in education, improve attendance and achieve positive outcomes that support their next steps. In order to do this we take into consideration the interests of the student and their aspirations for post 16 employment or education.

As part of their induction students visit selected provisions to get a feel for what is on offer and timetables are discussed in detail and designed with the input of students and their parents/carers. Once vocational placements have been agreed and one to one sessions have been arranged transport is requested. Students will begin accessing their one to one sessions before their full timetable which will commence as soon as transport is in place.

For students who come on roll with APT very late in year 11 our focus is on supporting students in achieving core qualifications in English & Maths and exploring options for a successful transition into post-16

MEASURING THE QUALITY OF THE ALTERNATIVE PROVIDERS

All of our alternative providers are commissioned by our school specifically to work with our students. The providers go through a strict process to confirm that they can keep our students safe. Their quality is monitored by APT who have formal procedures to report on standards of education using Ofsted criteria. Quality is monitored through a combination of unannounced learning walks several times per year and a full day’s quality assurance visit. Some providers are also visited by Ofsted Inspectors when our school is subject to an Ofsted inspection. APT staff are also in regular contact with the providers, sometimes visiting on a daily/weekly basis. Providers report back to us on a daily basis to let us know how students have behaved and engaged and inform us about what they have learnt.

We are committed to offering the best quality education and therefore will only use providers who have been judged as good or outstanding. Sometimes a small minority of providers may fall short of our expectations and we will work in collaboration with them to improve standards. We will no longer use alternative providers who fail to improve quality and meet our expectations.