Alternative Provision Guidance

DfE Alternative Provision Guidance 2025

PAG Staff2025, alternative provision, DfE, Local Authorities, online resources, Policy, Safeguarding, Schools, SEND, Transition

DfE Alternative Provision Guidance 2025: What Schools, Trusts, and Local Authorities Need to Know The Department for Education (DfE) has published its updated alternative provision (AP) guidance, replacing the 2013 version. With new policies, statutory expectations, and a stronger focus on reintegration, this guidance provides critical updates for local authorities, MATs, and schools arranging alternative provision for students. In this blog, …

unregistered ap

Unregistered AP: Challenges, Reforms, and the Future

PAG Staff2024, alternative provision, Attainment Gap, Case Studies, DfE, free schools, Local Authorities, Safeguarding

Unregistered Alternative Provision: Challenges, Reforms, and the Future What is Unregistered AP?  Unregistered AP typically caters to students who are unable to thrive in mainstream education settings due to behavioral issues, special educational needs, or other challenges. However, the absence of regulation and consistent standards has led to systemic weaknesses that place vulnerable children at risk. Unlike registered schools, these settings …

AI in education

AI in Education

PAG Staff2024, AI, Article, Case Studies, Leadership, online resources, Policy, Safeguarding, Schools

AI in EducationArtificial intelligence (AI) is making significant inroads into the UK’s educational landscape. According to a recent Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) survey, about half of the educators in the UK are leveraging AI tools such as ChatGPT and Google Bard for various aspects of their teaching. This surge in AI usage is transforming educational practices, both offering promising opportunities …

alternative provision specialist taskforces

Alternative Provision Specialist Taskforces (APST)

PAG Staff2024, alternative provision, DfE, free schools, Inequalities, Policy, Safeguarding, Schools, SEND

Alternative Provision Specialist Taskforces (APST) The Department for Education (DfE) has embarked on a transformative approach to support vulnerable young people at risk of exploitation, gang involvement or serious violence, or falling out of education or employment through the introduction of Alternative Provision Specialist Taskforces (APST). This initiative aims to keep these individuals engaged in their education, steer them away from …

Barnardo’s places pastoral care and safeguarding as top priorities for returning pupils

Ceri MossCOVID-19, Safeguarding, wellbeing

Barnardo’s places pastoral care and safeguarding as top priorities for returning pupils On Monday, after almost three months in lockdown, some pupils returned to school. These pupils are, of course, in addition to the vulnerable pupils and pupils of key workers who have continued attending school through the lockdown period. The BBC reported “highly variable” levels of attendance from primary …