Notting Hill College

Alternative Provision

Supporting Young People Back into Education
Notting Hill College | Salford, Greater Manchester

Notting Hill College’s Alternative Provision (AP) department provides structured, professionally delivered education for young people aged 9–16 who are unable to access mainstream schooling. Based at our Watersedge Business Park campus in
Salford, we work with schools, local authorities, and referral partners across Salford, Trafford, and Manchester to ensure that every learner in our care receives a high- quality, purposeful education.

Our provision is designed to help young people re-engage with learning, rebuild confidence, and make progress towards a positive next step, whether that is reintegration into school, further education, training, or employment.

We accept referrals throughout the academic year, and placements can be arranged promptly following referral review and confirmation.

To make a referral or discuss a placement, please contact our AP team:

ap@nottinghillcollege.co.uk

Our Approach

At Notting Hill College, we believe that alternative provision is not a last resort. It is a purposeful, professional response to a young person’s individual circumstances.

Our approach is centred on meeting learners where they are, restoring confidence, and creating a clear, supported pathway back into education. We provide a safe, welcoming, non-school environment that reduces the pressures often associated with mainstream settings while maintaining high standards of safeguarding, accountability, and educational quality.

Learning is supported through digital platforms including Google Classroom, and learner progress is monitored through Classe365. This helps us track attendance, engagement, behaviour, and academic progress in a clear and consistent way.

A key strength of our model is access to in-house SEND and inclusion support. This allows us to identify barriers to learning early, align provision with individual needs, and work effectively with schools, families, and local authorities around more complex learner profiles. Where appropriate, support is informed by EHCP outcomes and existing professional advice.

Three Tiers of Provision

We offer three levels of support so that schools, local authorities, and referral partners can identify the most appropriate pathway for each learner.

Tier 1 — Tuition

Tier 1 provides targeted academic support for pupils who remain on a school roll but need additional help to address learning gaps, improve confidence, and make progress. Tuition is delivered on a one-to-one basis or in small groups by qualified tutors.

Sessions may take place at our Watersedge centre or through outreach in an agreed setting such as the learner’s school, home, library, or community venue.

Subjects may include: English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, and other curriculum areas appropriate to the learner’s stage and needs.

At Key Stage 4, support may include preparation for exam-board qualifications and Functional Skills where appropriate.

Tier 2 — Enrichment Programme

Tier 2 is a part-time re-engagement programme for young people experiencing school avoidance, SEMH needs, anxiety, or significant disengagement from education. Learners attend our Salford centre on a part-time basis, usually for two or three half-day sessions each week, while remaining on their school roll.

The programme is designed to rebuild routine, motivation, self-belief, and readiness for learning. It combines structured activity with therapeutic and developmental support, helping young people reconnect with education at a pace that feels manageable.

Our enrichment offer includes:

drama and performance
sport and physical activity
arts and digital media
wellbeing and emotional regulation
leadership and personal development

Academic content can be introduced gradually as confidence and stability improve. For many learners, Tier 2 provides an effective bridge into more formal learning or a fuller placement.

Tier 3 — Full Curriculum Provision

Tier 3 provides full-time education for learners who require a more comprehensive
alternative to mainstream schooling for an agreed period. Placements combine academic
learning, enrichment, pastoral support, and regular review points focused on progress and
next steps.

The curriculum is tailored to age, stage, and need, and may include:
Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3

English
Mathematics
Science
Humanities
PSHE
creative subjects
sport and physical development
digital skills

Key Stage 4

English
Mathematics
Science
PSHE and personal development
Functional Skills, where appropriate
selected qualification pathways based on learner need and programme suitability

Tier 3 placements are normally reviewed in structured blocks so that progress, reintegration
planning, and future pathways remain central to the provision.

Reporting and Accountability

We provide clear oversight throughout each placement. This includes regular progress reporting, review meetings, and Individual Learning Plans developed at the start of the placement and updated over time.

Where learners have an Education, Health and Care Plan, we contribute written evidence to review processes and embed relevant outcomes into planning and delivery. Our in-house SEND support strengthens this process by helping staff align provision with identified needs and priorities.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is central to everything we do. Our Alternative Provision department operates in line with current safeguarding expectations and is supported by a Designated Safeguarding Lead, safer recruitment procedures, and a maintained Single Central Record. All staff involved in delivery are appropriately vetted and trained in safeguarding.

Family Engagement

We see families as active partners in the learning journey. We work closely with parents and carers to support communication, consistency, and positive reintegration planning. Structured family engagement also helps learners feel more secure and supported throughout their placement.

How to Make a Referral

Making a referral to Notting Hill College is straightforward.

Step 1
Contact our AP team to discuss the learner’s needs and the most suitable level of provision.

Step 2
Complete the referral process, including learner profile, SEND information, relevant
educational history, and funding confirmation.

Step 3
We confirm the proposed placement type and start arrangements following review.

Step 4
An Individual Learning Plan is developed at the start of the placement.

Step 5
Regular updates and review points are used to monitor progress and agree on next steps.

Ready to make a referral or find out more?

Contact our Alternative Provision team today.

ap@nottinghillcollege.co.uk
19 Watersedge Business Park, Modwen Road, Salford, M5 3EZ