A HIGH school has reported a significant decrease in suspended students due to a new provision.
Queen Elizabeth High School in Hexham introduced an alternative provision, also known as AP, to support students in different year groups struggling with their behaviour and attendance in the mainstream education route.
Hattie Curry, assistant headteacher for student standards and support and designated safeguarding lead, started working at QEHS in 2021 but felt she was 'firefighting' to support pupils who struggled in mainstream school.
Data from the Year 11 AP group shows attendance has risen from as low as 56 per cent up to 90 per cent.
"Fundamentally what we've tried to do is eliminate the main triggers so they stay in one place as much as possible for their lessons. We've tried to reduce the amount of staff they have to interact with because relationships are important to manage behaviour," she said.
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Ms Curry acknowledged the school still has pupils who struggle in mainstream provision, but those struggling the most have been supported through the alternative provision.
"We're left with kids who can maybe academically cope but they struggle with behaviour. A lot of kids in the AP are both - they struggle academically so they need more intervention and support but also they struggle with behaviour. In the mainstream now, the kids who are struggling, it's mostly one or the other.
"If it's an academic need the SEND team are good at supporting and if it's behavioural there are other things we can do," Ms Curry said.
She added the AP offers a route before resorting to exclusion.
"The only time we wouldn't [put them in AP] is if there was a safeguarding issue between the students in there. It is a small group and the dynamic is important. An individual can make a massive difference to the feel of the room."
AP pupils benefit from enrichment activities provided by Canoes, Mountains and Caves such as rock climbing and gorge walking.
"Not all of the kids do that, the AP is increasingly bespoke for everyone involved. When they get into Year 11 they get work experience geared towards getting them set up for life," Ms Curry said.
Two current AP pupils have received apprenticeships at their work placements, which vary from roles at primary schools and carpet fitting to hairdressing.
One AP pupil said: "The AP is a lot better than mainstream as there are many good opportunities like trips and work experience which have helped me a lot. We get breaks throughout the day to check our phone. The teachers are very understanding and try to help when they can and push us to learn."
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