Strategic review of Alternative Provision

Why Local Authorities (LAs) and Schools should go L.E.A.P. with RHINOSS

THE CONTEXT :

Alternative Provision (AP) is contextually defined as a setting that children and young people attend on a part-time or full-time basis away from their regular school setting, teachers and timetable due to them not being able to engage in mainstream education.

It is evident that many LAs and schools are not always sufficiently clear about their responsibilities for ensuring the quality and suitability of children and young people?s placements at all key stages. It is major concern that those accountable have not always visited or regularly revisited to check that the AP continues to be fit for purpose

Recent national reports have highlighted:

• Low levels of progress, achievement and attendance in some Alternative Provision.
• Associated problems of safeguarding present a major concern, particularly as many pupils who attend AP's are the most
• vulnerable and at risk of losing out in our education system. The systemic issue is that some local authorities and Senior Leadership Teams of both primary and secondary schools need to pay greater attention to the safeguarding, progress and attainment of children and young people in Alternative
• Provision who are not achieving as well as they should. AP's are now more prominent, particularly in light of the recent changes to the Ofsted Common inspection framework published April 2018
• School inspections teams are now more rigorously assessing how thoroughly schools ensure that any Alternative Provision they use is safe for pupils, that pupils are making progress and are behaving and attending well.

QAP4 IMPACT: What Rhinoss offers : Provision:

Highly qualified personnel with a wealth of experience and strong capabilities to ensure effective, robust and reliable reviews of APs. We have worked with Lewisham, Waltham Forest, Kent, Redbridge, Bromley and Barnet local authorities and schools.

Involvement: Right from the start of the procedure we engage fully in a collaborative process with schools and AP's to ensure that they are fully involved. This includes:

• Looking at the AP's own self-evaluation systems and process, safeguarding practice, progress and achievement of young people and children alongside their learning experiences.
• Undertaking an in-depth assessment of the teaching of subjects on offer.
• Talking with young people and children about their experiences.
• Reviewing the transition practice which provide opportunities for children and young people to return to their home school.

Outcomes:

• Produce a detailed Note of Visit (NoV) to be shared with the commissioning organisation.
• Help produce a joint action plan to ensure that any difficult issues are addressed.
• Provide a range of professional training and improvement opportunities.
• Share development material and resources from outstanding provisions. Offer coaching, mentoring and support for key personnel.

For an informal exploratory conversation or meeting about any of the above please contact us at Rhinoss and we would be happy to discuss your requirements with you.