Pupil & Parent Information

This page brings together the practical information pupils and families need when attending Ely Classrooms.

Parent Workspace

Alternative Provision placements can involve relatively short periods onsite, so parents may sometimes prefer to remain nearby rather than make two journeys.

We provide a parent workspace within the main reception area. Parents are welcome to bring a laptop and work quietly while their young person is attending Ely Classrooms.

This is a quiet working area, so it is not suitable for meetings or phone and video calls where these could disturb pupils, staff or other parents.

Daily Timetable

Each pupil has their own individual timetable. Pupils are not simply allocated a standard morning or afternoon session: their lessons may take place in the morning, afternoon or across both, depending on their programme and the timetables of their teachers and other pupils.

Time	Period
09:15–10:05	Lesson 1
10:05–10:15	Break
10:15–11:05	Lesson 2
11:05–11:15	Break
11:15–12:05	Lesson 3
12:05–12:45	Lunch / Social Time
12:45–13:35	Lesson 4
13:35–13:45	Break
13:45–14:35	Lesson 5
14:35–14:45	Break
14:45–15:35	Lesson 6

Term Dates 2026–27

Pupils start on Monday 7 September 2026. Staff training days have been placed at the beginning of the academic year, so there are no additional training-day closures during the remainder of the year.

Autumn Term

Spring Term

Autumn Term

Parents can report absence and use Compass for day-to-day communication with Ely Classrooms. The Compass app is free for parents to download and use.

Pupils have their own Compass account, which they can access through the website or app. They can view their individual timetable, access homework and assignments set by their teachers, and upload completed work through the Compass website.

Attendance

As an Alternative Provision provider, we are required to report attendance promptly. If a pupil has not arrived within 15 minutes of their scheduled start time, we must report this in line with safeguarding requirements. Parents should therefore let us know through Compass as soon as possible if a pupil is going to be late or absent.

Transport, Drop-off and Collection

Ely Classrooms does not currently arrange transport to or from the provision.

Pupils can be dropped off and collected from the public car park adjacent to 5 Station Road, in front of the Arkenstall Centre. Drop-off and collection should be prompt and match the pupil’s individual timetable.

If an event is taking place at the Arkenstall Centre and the car park is busy, please do not occupy the limited parking spaces while waiting. Parents using the parent workspace can park behind the Three Kings pub after dropping off and walk across the road.

Where necessary and by prior arrangement, we may be able to provide a supervised space for a pupil to stay and work quietly before or after their scheduled lesson time.

Low-Sensory Breakout Room

A dedicated low-sensory breakout room is available onsite for pupils who need time away from teaching or another activity. It provides a quiet, calm space where a pupil can regulate before returning to their lesson when they are ready.

Staff are available to provide support where needed, while pupils who are able to regulate independently can be given appropriate space. Use of the room can form part of a pupil’s agreed support arrangements.

Food and Drink

Food and drink are not currently provided onsite. Pupils should bring water and any snacks they will need during their scheduled time at Ely Classrooms.

Ely Classrooms is a nut-free setting. Pupils must not bring nuts or products containing nuts onsite.