St Ed’s Alternative Provision

School Engagement Programme

St Edmunds Society experience supporting vulnerable and marginalised young people. Vocational training is the way forward for many young people who face difficulties, where education hasn’t always been something they are able to independently access and excel in. It is important those young people are accepted and recognised that they can achieve, and this can be in many forms. Vocational qualifications are nationally recognised, based on standards.

We have built on our own experiences and provided a complete wrap around package of emotional and welfare support for young people. This has enabled them to begin to achieve both their potential and aspiration by improving confidence in their own ability with consequential benefits in personal participation and attendance.

Our welfare team are led by our Welfare manager, and the team all have designated safeguarding training and trauma informed. The welfare team focus on ensuring students feel safe and listened to and support students with emotional wellbeing.

What courses can we offer?

We are able to offer the below qualifications to Year 10 or 11 students, where they can gain an Award, Certificate or Diploma.

• City and Guilds Level 1 in Construction Skills
• IMI Level 1 in Automotive Maintenance
• VTCT Level 1 Hair and Beauty Skills
• City and Guilds Level 1 Introduction to the Hospitality Industry
• NCFE Level 1 Introduction to Health and social Care

We are also able to offer engagement sessions from year 7, where students can complete a taster and receive an in-house certificate who are not eligible for qualification due to age restrictions.

How will we help?

• Intensive engagement via the Welfare Team whilst here.
• Improve the school attendance.
• Support that meets the needs of the individual students so that they are equipped with the skills to cope with life.
• Understand and help improve hard to manage behaviours.
• Address social, mental, emotional, and physical needs.
• Build and maintain an atmosphere in which students feel secure, are encouraged in their learning, growth and social development, and know that they are valued within a healthy and safe environment.

Costs

£127 per day, to include:

• Lunch
• Breakfast Club
• P.P.E and use of tools
• CIAG support
• Unlimited access to the welfare team to help support any SEMH needs. The welfare team can support a wide variety of needs.

• Please Note: an additional Premium Rate of £22 per day may be applied, based on a review of the Student and consideration of risk and resources that the Student in question may require during the Referred Placement. Premium rates can be added for those students deemed as ‘high need’ or ‘high risk’, this could include The Children Act 1989 Sec 47 cases, High Risk CCE, as well as high learning needs requiring extra support.
• There may be a reduced rate for group bookings, please contact the welfare team to discuss further.

Process

Each academic year, we require a new Service Level Agreement to be signed and returned, prior to sending students in.

Supporting Paperwork MUST be provided before student attends:

1. Referral form including any professionals details working with the family and confirmation regarding consent to go offsite during social times
2. Risk assessment including any safeguarding information
3. Support form and additional support documentation – EHCP, pastoral plans, behaviour plans.

Our school day runs from 9.15am – 2.30pm. If your student is arriving by taxi, please ensure the taxi company is aware of our timings for the day

Find out more

Our wealth of experience and our success rates are second to none and highly endorsed by those who have already used the service. We honestly believe we can help make a genuine difference.

St Eds can offer tours of the centre if you feel your student would benefit from this before they start.

To find out more, or to make a referral call the St Ed’s Welfare team on 01603 622035, or email Kayleigh.dawson@st-eds.org.uk

We will send out all necessary paperwork. Please provide as much detail as possible as this will enable us to support your student to the fullest. This includes professional contact details and any safeguarding information. St Eds can then confirm a start date for your student.

Sprowston Community Academy referred the following student in 2025 to study Mechanics:

Student Testimony:

“Before I joined St Edmunds, school was something I really struggled with. I skipped lessons a lot, and when I did go, I often ended up messing around, annoying teachers, or getting into arguments. Things were getting worse, and it became clear that I needed a different kind of support. That’s when my school and St Edmunds decided to work together to help me get back on track.

At first, I didn’t know what to expect, but I’ve always liked cars, so choosing mechanics at St Edmunds felt like a good fit. The environment there is much more relaxed, and I’m not told off for every small thing. There’s no internal isolation, and the teachers understand me — how I learn, what I need, and why mainstream school on its own wasn’t working for me.

What’s made the biggest difference is that both my school and St Edmunds communicate and support me as a team. Because of that, I now attend both places successfully. Having St Edmunds in the middle of my week gives me a break from the usual routine. Before, my behaviour would get worse by the end of the week, but now that break helps me reset and stay focused.

I’ve really enjoyed learning mechanics. Even if I don’t end up doing it as a career, it’s a valuable skill to have as an adult. I’m currently working towards my Level 1 qualification in mechanics, which I’ll complete at St Edmunds. I’ve already secured a place at another college next year to move on to Level 2, and hopefully Level 3 after that.

The partnership between my school and St Edmunds has helped me turn things around, and I’m proud of the progress I’ve made.”

Thorpe St Andrew High School referred a year 11 student for Hair and Beauty in 2025

School Testimony:

“We would like to express our sincere thanks for the positive impact St Eds has had on Chloe. Chloe has ASD and finds mainstream school challenging, particularly due to the large class sizes and busy environment. This led to heightened anxiety, and she began avoiding lessons. Very quickly, Chloe became at risk of permanent exclusion, as she was refusing to follow instructions and was disengaging from all lessons. We were keen for Chloe to find an area of interest where she could feel successful and motivated, and she has found this in Hair and Beauty. Since attending Hair and Beauty at St Eds, we have seen a significant improvement in her confidence, engagement, and overall attendance. At one point, Chloe was being suspended regularly; however, since attending St Eds once a week, this has no longer been the case. She is far more positive about her education and is developing both personally and academically. We are extremely grateful for the support, encouragement, and opportunities provided.”