Provision

Ely Classrooms provides Alternative Provision for young people aged 11–16 and post-16.

Under current Cambridgeshire Children’s Commissioning arrangements, we can provide up to 15 hours of teaching per week for an individual pupil. Most of our pupils have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), although this is not a requirement for a placement at Ely Classrooms. Where a pupil has an EHCP, we work with the needs and provision identified within it.

A therapy-led approach

Our therapist and SENCo build an individual profile for each pupil, based on their EHCP and conversations with the pupil, their families and, where appropriate, their school. Teachers use this to plan each subject around the pupil’s strengths and SEND needs.

Every pupil is offered one-to-one counselling with our therapist, who works closely with the teaching team. The therapist shares relevant insights with the teaching team about each pupil’s barriers to learning and the approaches that are working well. Teachers use this information to adapt their teaching where needed. With no more than four pupils in a class, we can make those adjustments day to day.

What can a placement include?

Every placement is built around the individual young person. Alongside English, Maths and Science, we can offer a broad range of learning including Art, Textiles and other creative subjects, project-based learning, practical activities and enrichment.

Depending on the young person, a placement might include outdoor learning, dog walks, activities in the community, therapeutic learning or time spent developing confidence and independence.

The balance is different for every young person. We work with families, schools and other professionals to put together a programme that reflects their needs, interests and educational priorities.

Working alongside other provision

Ely Classrooms does not have to be a pupil's only place of education. A placement can work alongside their school, other Alternative Provision or as part of an EOTAS package.

We work with schools, families and other providers so that the different parts of a pupil’s education work together. For information about arranging a placement see our Referrals page.