The Department for Education defines "Alternative Provision" (AP), as education arranged by local authorities or schools for pupils. AP is arranged for pupils who, for reasons such as exclusion, illness, or other circumstances, would otherwise not receive suitable education. This also includes education arranged by schools for pupils on fixed-period exclusions, or when schools direct pupils to off-site provision to improve their behaviour.
Schools can arrange Alternative Provision (AP) when a child faces permanent exclusion or requires support beyond the school setting.
Alternative Provisions include Pupil Referral Units and medical needs/tuition services.
Alternative Provision encompasses non-mainstream, academy, special, or private/independent educational establishments.
Waltham Forest’s Access Participation and Inclusion Service works in collaboration with the Waltham Forest Admissions team and local schools to support primary and secondary aged children in Waltham Forest who may require an AP placement. AP provisions take a trauma-informed approach to learning, and our providers are dedicated to support children who are struggling in mainstream settings and may be at risk of permanent exclusion, as well as those who have been permanently excluded. The AP provision academic offer includes opportunities for gaining qualifications in Functional Skills, and BTECs in some vocational subjects alongside the national GCSE curriculum.
Waltham Forest’s alternative educational provision comprises of five schools and two satellite provisions, catering to a range of academic and Social Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.
All of our provisions work closely with inter-disciplinary statutory and non-statutory services and teams across the local authority, including Behaviour Attendance and Children Missing Education (BACME), Educational Psychology, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), Children’s Social Care and Early Help, Youth Justice Service, and the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).
For more information on the application process visit here.
For queries around AP please email BACME Referral.
Hawkswood Primary is school which encompasses a KS1 Nurture Group, a KS2 PRU and a KS2 SEMH provision.
Hawkswood serves 56 schools Primary schools across Waltham Forest and welcome children and schools from neighbouring boroughs. Offering short term and long-term placements for children from mainstream schools, including SEHM placements for children with EHCPs.
Hawkswood Primary School is underpinned by Nurture Group principles, which include:
Hawkswood Secondary is a small school, serving all secondary schools in the London Borough of Waltham Forest and other surrounding boroughs.
Hawkswood offers a short-term therapeutic and educational intervention (typically two terms) for children aged 11-16 who are struggling with tier 2/3 mental health needs. The core curriculum and therapeutic offer is delivered by a dedicated team which includes:
Staff engage pupils in active learning, personalising outcomes to enable re-engagement in learning and supporting pupils to develop personal, social, cognitive and creative skills and improving wellbeing.
Hawkswood’s integrated SEND provision provides short-term therapeutic and educational intervention for pupils aged 11-16 who have a statement of special educational needs (SEN), and concomitant tier 2/3 mental health needs.
The school’s aim is to support pupils with acute mental health needs to better understand and manage their mental health so that they can confidently either return to mainstream school or a long-term specialist provision.
Burnside PRU provides education for young people requiring intensive, short- to medium-term intervention and support, as well as statutory Day 6 offer for children who have been permanently excluded. Burnside provides timely, measurable, and impactful interventions that support pupils to become active members of their school community. Burnside also provide secondary schools with supplementary support for parents and pupils at risk of permanent exclusion or formal AP intervention. Burnside’s intention is to support student reflection, reset, and reintegration, and supporting the needs of the Waltham Forest secondary community.
Burnside’s curriculum balances academic study with personal development and therapeutic growth. All pupils follow a structured programme of core and foundation subjects, with accredited pathways available at GCSE, Entry Level, and BTEC according to developmental stage. Pupils who remain for a full term will achieve qualifications—whether Entry 1–3, Unit Awards, BTEC, or GCSE depending on age and ability.
All students undergo therapeutic and academic diagnostic baseline assessments to inform targeted interventions and placement objectives. The impact of all interventions will be summarised in an Individual Education Plan (IEP) prior to return to mainstream school, including strategies to support reintegration.
Burnside work in partnership with referring schools, parents/carers, and professionals to ensure positive outcomes. Regular review meetings will take place every three weeks with information shared amongst all relevant parties.
North Birkbeck PRU provides shorter-term interventions places to children both at risk of permanent exclusion, and children who have been permanently excluded. It also provides schools with a short-term Turnaround project for Key Stage 3 students.
The offer includes:
On admission, all students undergo therapeutic and academic diagnostic baseline assessments to inform targeted interventions and placement objectives. The impact of all interventions will be summarised in an Individual Education Plan (IEP) prior to return to mainstream school, including strategies to support reintegration.
North Birkbeck work in partnership with referring schools, parents/carers, and professionals to ensure positive outcomes. Regular review meetings will take place every three weeks with information shared amongst all relevant parties.
BCIS is an Alternative Provision for KS4 learners who have an interest in the Creative Industries, who do not feel their current schooling engages them in this area enough for them to succeed. It is a full-time course which runs 5 days a week, led by qualified teachers who are also current industry professionals.
BCIS aim to transform the lives of young people through inspirational teaching, providing exceptional access to career opportunities in the creative industries; and to get disaffected young people back on track in their lives though high-quality vocational courses.
The purpose of the BCIS course is to provide Year 10 / 11 learners with an alternative method of learning though the mediums of music and media; with the aim of developing these learners into becoming young professionals, equipped with the drive and knowledge to succeed, and thrive in their future endeavours.
The provision is tailored to meet young peoples’ individual needs and is based on the assessments and interviews carried out during their induction and initial assessment.
Please note: Year 10 training program runs for a duration of 38 taught weeks and Year 11 training program runs for a duration of 36 taught weeks Use outcome-focused planning and review focused on the impact of interventions so that children can return to the mainstream able to attend the setting and access their education.
Oak Provision is a dedicated therapeutic setting based as a satellite within Heathcote Secondary school. It is designed to support and enhance the social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) development of pupils. The team pride themselves on delivering a wide range of high-quality interventions tailored to meet the individual needs of every child, ensuring they receive the care, guidance, and support required to thrive both personally and academically.
Beyond academic excellence, Oak Provision is built on strong pastoral values. They place a powerful emphasis on self-development, resilience, and the building of positive relationships. The nurturing environment empowers pupils to grow in confidence, develop emotional intelligence, and build the essential life skills needed for long-term success. Interventions include:
Based as a satellite within Holy Family Secondary School, St. Raphael Centre offers a therapeutic and nurturing environment underpinned by the creative arts. The referred student will be equipped with the skills, knowledge and tools needed to be able to return to their home school and flourish. The approach to the provision will be embedded within the school’s overall ethos of love, care, kindness and support. Students from all faiths and none, are equally welcome.
The offer includes: