Alternative Provision

Norham High School strives to ensure our curriculum is inclusive and accessible, providing opportunities and support for all pupils to succeed; we recognise that some pupils will require alternative provisions to allow them to reach their potential, either in addition to or instead of the provision offered within Norham High School.

Alternative provision is an educational setting that allows pupils to continue their education in an environment that provides a curriculum more suitable for their individual needs.

At Norham High School we recognise that all pupils are individuals with different strengths and needs, and that mainstream education is not always suitable for everyone.

Alternative provision can support pupils in continuing to receive a high-quality education whilst their needs are being met and offers an alternative curriculum provision in order to support pupils’ wider development.

Alternative provision can support pupils in continuing to receive a high-quality education whilst their needs are being met and offers an alternative curriculum provision in order to support pupils’ wider development.

At Norham High School we may arrange alternative provision for pupils for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to, the following:

• To support the inclusion and education of pupils who have had one or more suspension, or who are at risk of permanent exclusion.

• To ensure pupils are offered a variety of curriculum provisions as a way of supporting their wider development and equip them with skills and experience that will benefit them later in life, which may not be readily available at the academy.

• To further personalise the curriculum for some pupils, to support identified needs.

• To meet the needs of pupils who struggle to meet the academic and social demands of mainstream education expectations.

• To meet the needs of pupils who because of illness or other reasons, including social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, would not access an appropriate curriculum at school.

Norham High School is committed to ensuring that all pupils, including those accessing Alternative Provision (AP), receive a high-quality, safe, and ambitious education. Alternative Provision is used only where it is in the best interests of the pupil and where it supports their academic progress, wellbeing, and long-term outcomes. It is also used in conjunction / agreement and full partnership of parents / carers and only where they agree that an AP placement is in the best interest of their child. 

The school retains full responsibility for pupils educated in Alternative Provision at all times, in line with DfE Guidance and the Ofsted Education Inspection Framework. 

This responsibility includes but is not limited to the following:

• Safeguarding and child protection  (Welfare)

• Behaviour, Attendance & Engagement

• Curriculum & Teaching (was Quality of Education - updated to C&T matching revised Ofsted criteria)

• Personal Development and cultural / enrichment opportunities

• Achievement & Outcomes (Dual Registered)

We maintain responsibility for SEND albeit through the AP: 

• Inclusion and SEND Support via the AP i.e. ensuring AP meet needs

DfE Guidance and Ofsted

The DfE Guidance the following statement relates to was last updated by the DfE February 2025 and can be found by clicking here.

• Ofsted Inspection Criteria states:

• Pupils are kept safe and feel safe. Their voices are heard, including the voices of pupils who are not on the school site (whether long term, temporarily or for part of the school day). Teaching pupils about how they can stay safe and when they may need help is embedded across the curriculum. Pupils / parents know who to go to for help.

Leadership, Management, and Oversight of AP

Senior Leaders maintain strong and effective oversight of all Alternative Provision placements. 

This includes clear rationale for placement, formal agreements with providers, regular monitoring and review meetings, and ongoing communication regarding attendance, progress, behaviour, and safeguarding.

Placement of AP pupils is discussed by both Snr Leaders and Pastoral Leaders so that effective and impactful placement can be planned and agreed. At times, the SENDCo and / or DSL may also recommend AP (nature / type / duration) - this is done on a needs basis.

Alternative Provision Commissioned

Norham High School makes use of a small number of carefully selected Alternative Provision placements that meet the needs of specific pupils. 

These include:

1. Moorbridge (For the Ofsted report, click: Graded Outstanding)

This offers 3 provisions - mainsite (Route 16), Oswin Terrace (vulnerable / reluctant learners) and a Personalised Learning Service (PLS) which includes Moorbridge Outreach. 

Moorbridge is used primarily for Year 9, 10, and 11 pupils who require a more specialist or therapeutic learning environment. Moorbridge is part of North Tyneside’s local authority Alternative Provision offer and provides structured academic learning alongside support for behaviour, engagement, and emotional wellbeing. Moorbridge provides 3 main pathways / support packages, Route-16 (main site), Oswin Terrace Site which is for more vulnerable learners who often require additional support in relation to their wellbeing, and PLS. 

Where Snr Leaders and Pastoral Leaders agree a Moorbridge AP referral may provide a more suitable alternative provision curriculum or support package, all pupils (across the LA) are nominated by individual Head Teachers and considered / reviewed via “Super Fair Access” for commissioning of a place. This takes place each year and is led by Moorbridge Leaders - it is attended by all Head Teachers and a minimum of one LA Rept who has an oversight of Moorbridge Provision and other resources (current vs projected needs). All pupils are reviewed on an individual basis by all parties attending and nominations are either accepted or rejected on a pupil needs basis. Further details can be found here at Moorbridge Admissions. 

2. Other commissioned or local authority-approved provisions

Where required, the school may use additional Alternative Provision placements that are quality-assured, registered where appropriate, and meet safeguarding and curriculum expectations. These placements are used only following careful assessment and agreement. Eg Barnardos Training. For a full list of authorised / agreed providers for academic year 2025, please see “Other LA Approved Providers” towards the end of this document. This list is updated and checked each year and / or when a new provision need is identified and commissioned.

3. Norham High school does not use any AP provider who is not LA approved

All placements are personalised, time-limited where appropriate, and reviewed regularly to ensure they remain suitable and effective.

Safeguarding and Child Protection (Welfare)

Safeguarding is effective and is a central consideration in all Alternative Provision arrangements. Norham High School ensures that all Alternative Provision placements comply with statutory safeguarding guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).

Prior to placement, the school undertakes rigorous checks to ensure that providers have appropriate safeguarding policies, safer recruitment procedures, and clear processes for reporting and managing concerns. The school confirms that staff working with pupils are suitable to do so and that safeguarding arrangements are robust and effective.

Norham High School maintains direct oversight of safeguarding for all pupils in Alternative Provision. Pupils remain on the school roll, and safeguarding responsibility is not delegated. Any safeguarding concerns are reported promptly, recorded accurately, and acted upon in line with the school’s safeguarding policy, KCSIE guidance, and local safeguarding procedures.

Behaviour, Attendance, and Engagement

Alternative Provision placements are used to support pupils whose needs cannot be met fully within the mainstream setting at a particular time. Clear expectations are set regarding behaviour, attendance, and engagement. Attendance and participation are monitored closely by the school, and prompt action is taken where concerns arise.

Quality of Education (Updated Sept 25 and Jan 26 to Curriculum & Teaching)

All Alternative Provision (AP) placements are carefully planned to ensure pupils continue to access a curriculum that is broad, balanced, and appropriate to their individual needs and starting points. Norham High School works closely with providers to ensure that learning is purposeful, sequenced, and supports progression, this includes transition to further education, training, or employment. 

Norham High School takes pride in ensuring we provide an exceptional learning environment and support, as such, we always review placements and continuously consider whether an AP placement remains the right choice for a young person. Where a placement has been successfully completed or AP is no longer the right option, reintegration back into mainstream education takes place as follows:

• After a successful period of supportive AP (designed to help pupils back into mainstream education)

• Where there is a breakdown in placement 

• The school believes it is no longer in the best interest of the child

• Where parents / carers decide that AP is no longer in the best interest of their child - where this is the case, even if professionals (in school) believe AP is still the right option, parent / carer voice supersedes this and children are reintegrated

Pupil progress is monitored regularly - often in line with that of the provider who supplies assessment data and information to evaluate the impact of AP and inform next steps.

Personal Development (and opportunities)

Placements support pupils’ personal development, including emotional wellbeing, social development, and readiness for learning. Provision promotes positive relationships, resilience, and preparation for adulthood, in line with pupils’ individual needs.

Jan 26 Update (SCR Check - ATA / TCO / JPE)

Monitoring Visits and Review Timeline

Norham High School undertakes a structured programme of visits and reviews to ensure that pupils accessing Alternative Provision are safe, supported, and making appropriate progress:

• Pre-placement visit:
  Where appropriate, a senior leader or designated member of staff visits the provision prior to placement to confirm suitability, safeguarding arrangements, curriculum offer, and staffing.

• Initial placement check (within the first 2–4 weeks):
  An early visit or formal review is conducted to confirm that the pupil has settled, safeguarding arrangements are effective, and expectations around attendance, behaviour, and learning are being met.

• Regular monitoring visits (at least once per half term):
  Ongoing visits are carried out to review pupil engagement, progress, attendance, behaviour, and wellbeing. Safeguarding practices are checked, and discussions take place with staff and pupils.

• Additional visits as required:
  Further visits are undertaken where pupils are identified as vulnerable, where attendance or behaviour concerns arise, or following any safeguarding concerns or changes to a pupil’s circumstances.

• Formal review meetings (termly or more frequently if required):
  Progress and placement effectiveness are reviewed with providers, parents/carers, and relevant professionals. Decisions regarding continuation, adjustment, or reintegration are made based on evidence.

All visits and reviews are recorded, and outcomes are used to inform ongoing placement decisions and school improvement processes.

Evaluation and Continuous Improvement

The effectiveness of Alternative Provision is evaluated as part of Norham High School’s self-evaluation and improvement planning. Leaders use evidence from monitoring visits, safeguarding checks, and pupil outcomes to ensure that Alternative Provision contributes positively to pupils’ academic progress, personal development, and future pathways.

Through rigorous oversight, structured monitoring, and safeguarding practice aligned with Keeping Children Safe in Education, Norham High School ensures that Alternative Provision is safe, accountable, and effective.

Agreed LA Approved Providers likely to be utilised / commissioned in Academic Year Sept 25

(Last Updated July 2025 and checked September 2025 / January 2026 - TCO / JPE):

• Moorbridge PRU - 0191-6436170

• Barnardos - Employment & Training - 0191-2963367

• Foundation  Futures - 07907368037

• Outdoor Ambition - 07801444495

• Changing lives through horses (bespoke offer - 1 pupil) - British Horse Society - 02476840545

• NUDGE Education - 03337729452

Should any parent / carer wish to find out more about any of our current packages of AP or feel that their child may benefit from additional / alternative education packages, you can click on each of our current provisions above or contact them to find out more. 

Please note, there is an extensive list of other LA registered providers available for use, these are reviewed annually (May - June) when reviewing and designing new curriculum for all pupils the following academic year (Sept start). At this time however, no other providers have been selected for use during the academic year commencing Sept 2025. 

Should a parent / carer feel that their child may benefit from a bespoke package, you can contact the SENDCo (Mrs Pearson) and / or the Designated Safeguarding Lead (Mr Drennan) to make enquiries as it may be that a package not currently used would benefit / be in the best interests of your child. This may be in addition to or in place of (AP) current curriculum offers at Norham High School.

Tuition

Private tuition provides additional supportive education, it is not considered by the school as “alternative”. However, as they regularly provide a paid for / commissioned service beyond our mainstream / specialist provision, the school reviews this inline with AP.

SLT Approved Tuition Providers likely to be utilised / commissioned (Last Updated July 2025):

• Success 4 all (Letter of assurance in file)

• Michael Willows

• Norham In-House Staff (LA payment agreement in place)

All tutors are placed on our SCR and have the relevant / necessary DBS checks, induction in relation to reporting safeguarding concerns and where apt (foreign national language tutors have a letter of assurance confirming right to work and overseas criminal clearance checks)

Health, Information & Advice, Virtual School, Emotional Wellbeing (HIVE)

HIVE sits under the direction of the Virtual School Head Teacher, Jane Pickthall.

This team can / do provide internal AP at regular / scheduled intervals for LAC children. These may be additional welfare sessions but can also provide additional education to children in the care sector including those in residential care and those who are in care and identified as EAL.

The team can be contacted by (The Riverside Centre, North Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE29 6DQ)

• email on: HiveTeam@northtyneside.gov.uk

• telephone on: 0191 643 8365

Appendix 1 - Moorbridge PRU

Moorbridge is currently the largest AP provider in North Tyneside (to all children / schools). As such, it should be noted that:

• Safeguarding procedures were graded effective (Ofsted 2024)

and

• Pupils receive an exceptional quality of education at this school. Pupils who have had previously poor school experiences thrive. They make rapid progress through the curriculum and achieve highly. Many pupils leave key stage 4 with the necessary qualifications for the next phase of their lives (Ofsted 2024)