Alternative provision: effective practice and post 16 transition

Alternative provision (AP) is defined as: education arranged by local authorities for pupils who, because of exclusion, illness or other reasons, would not otherwise receive suitable education; education arranged by schools for pupils on a fixed period exclusion; and pupils being directed by schools to off-site provision to improve their behaviour. The UK Department for Education commissioned this literature review to explore the evidence for effective strategies that support young people in AP to increase attainment at Key Stage 4 (the two years of school education normally known as Year 10 and Year 11 when pupils are aged between 14 and 16 years) and to make a successful transition to post-16 provision. This includes reporting on any differential effects by pupil characteristics, including gender, ethnicity and special educational needs and disability (SEND).

Key findings are reported in relation to: monitoring quality and impact; understanding student needs; communication and partnerships; positive relationships; autonomy of choice for young people; behaviour management; curriculum; pedagogy; supporting progression to college or employment; skills of staff; quality of facilities; and schools developing their own AP. Evidence gaps are also highlighted.

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