The Alternative School

The Old Library specialises in engaging high-needs and SEN pupils at KS3 and KS4.

“Specialising in using outdoor education & Forest School to engage pupils with high needs and SEN from KS3 & KS4.”

The page states a staff-to-pupil ratio of 1:4.

“Staff to Pupil Ratio (1:4)”

Pupil progress is monitored and tracked individually through formal and informal methods.

“- Monitor and track progress on an individual basis both formally and informally”

Students with safeguarding concerns are advised to approach a trusted member of staff, initially their class teacher.

“If your child has a safeguarding concern, we recommend they speak to their class teacher in the first instance, or another member of staff they feel comfortable with.”

Each of the school's seven campus programmes can accommodate 40–50 pupils and is designed to provide a smaller educational setting.

“Our education programmes can each cater for 40-50 pupils at each of our 7 campuses and are designed for those young people, aged 6-18 who require a smaller, nurturing and individual approach to their education.”

The campuses can accommodate up to 220 pupils in total across ages 6–18.

“Our campuse can cater for up to 220 pupils total aged 6 – 18 who require a peronsalised approach to education”

The school offers the Duke of Edinburgh Award and varied extracurricular and enrichment activities alongside personal development and employability learning.

“We have a strong emphasis on Personal and Social Development, British Values, Emotional Literacy and Employability Skills together with the Duke of Edinburgh Award and a variety of extra-curricular and enrichment activities.”

The curriculum framework includes volunteering, creative and practical projects, competitions, charity and fundraising activities, outdoor activities, STEM visits, guest speakers and all three Duke of Edinburgh’s Award levels.

“- Develop a whole curriculum framework for KS1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 to include project and voluntary work, creative and practical projects, competitions, charity events and fundraising awareness, outdoor adventurous activities, STEM educational visits, safeguarding programme and guest speakers, The Duke of Edinburgh`s Award, a wide range of academic and vocational options and our 5 core subject areas – CSI (Maths, English, STEM), Entrepreneurship, Personal and Social Development, Vocational (KS4), Humanities (KS3) and the Duke of Edinburgh`s Award at Bronze, Silver and Gold level.”

The school's ethos combines nurture, independence, academic achievement and vocational or entrepreneurial opportunities, tailored to individual needs.

“We believe that everyone has the potential to succeed in the right environment and with our holistic approach of nurture, independence, academic achievement and vocational/entrepreneurial opportunities, we aim to ensure that time spent with The Alternative School is both enjoyable and successful, with 100% of our pupils moving into further education/employment.”

The school provides pupil-centred alternative education for young people who are not engaging with mainstream education.

“The Alternative School offers a whole host of education packages to suit a variety of needs. We specialise in providing an alternative approach to education that is pupil-centred.”

The school’s creative curriculum extends through Key Stage 5, which it calls Platinum.

“- Key Stage 5 – Platinum”

The school provides tailored education for young people aged 6–18 who need a smaller, nurturing and individual approach.

“Our education programmes can each cater for 40-50 pupils at each of our 7 campuses and are designed for those young people, aged 6-18 who require a smaller, nurturing and individual approach to their education.”

Blackpool & Fylde College was continuing to accept applications through its website, conduct telephone interviews, and send offers by post.

“Applications are still being taken (via the B&FC website), interviews are still being conducted (via telephone) and offers are still being sent out (via post).”

The school has an open admissions policy for young people requiring additional support.

“Our open school admissions policy offers any young person who requires some additional support the opportunity of a fresh start and access to personalised education.”

The school aims for leavers to have a clear transition plan into further education and/or training.

“We aim to take a more holistic approach and to support both the personal and educational needs of young people, helping them to overcome a wide range of barriers to learning, and to develop themselves into confident, articulate and well- rounded young individuals who leave school with a range of appropriate qualifications and a clear transition plan to further education and/or training.”

The school reports that all pupils move into further education or employment.

“We believe that everyone has the potential to succeed in the right environment and with our holistic approach of nurture, independence, academic achievement and vocational/entrepreneurial opportunities, we aim to ensure that time spent with The Alternative School is both enjoyable and successful, with 100% of our pupils moving into further education/employment.”