Alternative Provision
Alternative Provision at Ely Classrooms
At Ely Classrooms, we provide Alternative Provision (AP) for young people with additional needs, including those with SEND and EHCPs.
At Ely Classrooms, we provide Alternative Provision (AP) for young people with additional needs, including those with SEND and EHCPs. Our provision offers a calm, structured, and supportive environment where students can re-engage with learning, develop confidence, and make meaningful progress.
We recognise that some students require education delivered outside of traditional systems. Our focus is on individual needs, emotional wellbeing, and long-term outcomes, supporting each learner to move forward at a pace that is right for them.
Alongside high-quality academic teaching delivered by subject specialists, we offer therapeutic support, academic mentoring, and enrichment activities. Programmes are designed to support outcomes such as progression into further education or training, blended or flexible learning pathways, or the completion of GCSEs and other qualifications with us.
Who We Support
We support young people aged 11–18 (KS3 and KS4) who may be:
- Struggling to engage with education in its current form
- Experiencing emotional, mental health, or physical health challenges
- Facing complex personal or family circumstances
- Diagnosed with SEND, including ASD or ADHD (subject to risk assessment)
- Holding an EHCP
All placements are carefully considered to ensure Ely Classrooms is the right environment for the student.
Post-16 Provision and Preparation for Adulthood
Ely Classrooms also provides tailored Post-16 Alternative Provision for young people who require a flexible and supportive pathway beyond compulsory education.
Our Post-16 provision supports learners who:
- Are not accessing a mainstream post-16 setting
- Require a smaller, nurturing environment to continue their education
- Benefit from a personalised programme combining academic study with therapeutic and pastoral support
Programmes are designed in line with Preparation for Adulthood principles, supporting students to develop:
- Independent learning skills and confidence
- Emotional regulation and resilience
- Communication and self-advocacy
- Work-related and transferable skills where appropriate
Learners may work towards Functional Skills Qualifications, GCSEs, LAMDA qualifications, or other appropriate outcomes, alongside academic mentoring, enrichment, and therapeutic input. The emphasis is on enabling young people to progress into further education, training, employment, or other meaningful next steps.
Academic and Therapeutic Integration
Our provision integrates academic learning with therapeutic and pastoral support, recognising that educational progress is closely linked to wellbeing.
Students benefit from:
- Core Academic Subjects: Maths, English Language and Literature, and Science (Biology, Chemistry, and Physics). Other subjects may be offered where appropriate.
- Therapeutic Support and Mentoring: Emotional support delivered by qualified professionals, helping students overcome barriers to learning, build self-confidence, and develop coping strategies.
- Enrichment Activities: Including Art, Drama, and supervised nature walks, supporting creativity, social development, and emotional wellbeing.
- Personalised Educational Plans: Individual programmes tailored to each student’s needs, with progress monitored and plans adapted over time.
Flexible Programmes and Pricing
We offer flexible programmes designed to meet individual needs, with placements agreed on a case-by-case basis.
Bespoke One-to-One Programme
Highly personalised one-to-one tuition for students who require focused, individual support.- £75 per hour for 10 hours or fewer per week
- £65 per hour for more than 10 hours per week
- Timetables are flexible and agreed individually
Small-Group Programme (2:1 or Small Group)
Small-group tuition offers a balance of individual attention and peer interaction.
- £65 per hour
- Groups typically consist of 2:1 or small groups, subject to suitability and risk assessment
Sessions focus on core academic subjects alongside therapeutic mentoring and enrichment, supporting both academic progress and personal development.
For our alternative placement, cancellation and refund policy go here.
Progression and Outcomes
Our tailored approach aims to support positive, sustainable outcomes for young people, including:
- Improved engagement with learning
- Increased confidence, motivation, and self-esteem
- Development of emotional regulation and resilience
- Progression into further education, training, or employment
- Achievement of recognised qualifications, including GCSEs and LAMDA awards
Our team
After 20 years of classroom teaching and lengthy experience of school management, Allison decided to set up Ely Classrooms when she relocated to the Ely area in 2021. For the previous five years she was Faculty Chair and Head of English at Stowe School in Buckingham, where she was instrumental in developing academic policies. She has been a GCSE and A Level examiner in English Literature for major exam boards and as a department leader and teacher, she has helped hundreds of students to achieve their goals.
Allison is passionate about books and reading and loves exploring ideas with pupils. She entered the teaching profession after a 12-year career as a current affairs journalist at BBC Radio, and she holds an M.Phil. in English Literature from Pembroke College, Oxford.
Maxine recently moved to Haddenham and began working for Ely Classrooms in September. She has many years of experience in administration and has previously worked for West Mercia Police, Sodexo and the NHS. Her main interest is amateur dramatics and has already been involved in local productions.
Hannah is an experienced teacher of drama and public speaking. Through her company, LAMDA for Life, she offers face-to-face and online tutorials for the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art (LAMDA) examinations and qualifications. Hannah is a versatile theatre practioner with a wealth of experience in both performance and education. She has previously worked in prisons and children's homes and spent three years tutoring aspiring actors to improve their public speaking skills; she has also taught English as a Foreign Language in Russia.
She holds a BA (Hons) in Theatre Studies from The University of Huddersfield and Grade 8 in LAMDA Acting as well as Grade 8 in LAMDA Verse and Prose.
Joanne started her career in industry working in aerospace and general manufacturing. Later, she worked as a manufacturing systems engineer for a software consultancy. After gaining qualified teacher status, she worked at a local secondary school for 10 years. She now continues to teach part time and tutors privately and in schools.
She holds a BSc in Electronic and Electrical Engineering from Loughborough University and MSc in Computer Integrated Manufacture from Cranfield University.
Krystal is a dedicated and qualified person-centred therapist, specialising in working with Children, Young People, and Young Adults. She offers counselling sessions tailored to your needs, whether in the comfort of your home or through invigorating walk-and-talk therapy sessions.
Understanding the apprehension often associated with therapy, Krystal prioritises building trust and creating a safe space for you to express your innermost thoughts and feelings. Her client-led approach ensures sessions progress at your pace, empowering you to take control of your therapeutic journey.
With a rich background working with young people in diverse settings, including addressing issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and more, Krystal brings a compassionate and holistic approach to her practice. Whether in the community or school environment, she is adept at supporting neurodiverse individuals and fostering their well-being.
Krystal holds a Level 4 Diploma in Counselling and is a registered member with the National Counselling Society. As an Alternative Provision Provider, she offers well-being and therapeutic support in local primary and secondary schools, drawing from over a decade of experience in various roles, including Deputy Safeguarding Lead and Young Carer’s Champion.
After 15 years working as a medicinal chemist within pharmaceutical research, Katy has worked across several educational sectors, as a teaching assistant and teacher in a junior school and as a private tutor in maths (up to GCSE) and science (offering physics, biology and chemistry to GCSE and chemistry to A level). Katy has experience of working with students with SEN, adults looking to achieve GCSE maths which they previously failed at school or GCSE equivalent exams and homeschooled students; she adapts her teaching to each student’s requirements.
She holds an MChem (chemistry) from the University of Sheffield.