At NEXT STEP Alternative Provision CIC, our curriculum is designed to rebuild confidence, re-engage learners with education, develop emotional resilience, and create clear pathways into adulthood, employment, further education, training, and independent living.
Our curriculum recognises that many young people accessing alternative provision have experienced barriers including:
· Trauma and adverse childhood experiences
· School exclusion or disengagement
· Mental health challenges
· Unmet SEND needs
· Low self-esteem and confidence
· Social, emotional and behavioural difficulties
· Family instability or social disadvantage
We believe education should be relational, restorative, practical, aspirational, and personalised.
Our approach combines:
· Academic support
· Life skills
· Emotional wellbeing
· Mentoring
· Physical development
· Employability preparation
· Community engagement
· Therapeutic and trauma-informed practice
The curriculum is designed to support the whole child — helping every learner feel safe, valued, capable, and able to thrive.
NEXT STEP Alternative Provision CIC aims to:
· Re-engage learners with education and personal development
· Improve attendance, confidence, and emotional regulation
· Develop resilience, discipline, self-worth, and motivation
· Support learners with SEND and additional needs
· Prepare young people for adulthood and employment
· Promote positive mental and physical wellbeing
· Reduce risk of exploitation, offending, and social exclusion
· Build healthy relationships and communication skills
· Create realistic pathways into education, training, apprenticeships, sport, and employment
Our curriculum is:
Learning is tailored around individual strengths, needs, interests, and aspirations.
Behaviour is understood as communication. Emotional safety and trusted relationships are prioritised.
All learners, including those with SEND and SEMH needs, are supported through adaptive teaching and personalised interventions.
Strong mentoring and positive adult relationships underpin engagement and progress.
Learners engage in real-world, hands-on learning that develops confidence and transferable skills.
We maintain high expectations while recognising individual journeys and barriers.
The curriculum is organised into six core strands:
1. Academic and Functional Learning
2. Personal Development and Wellbeing
3. Physical Development and Health
4. Employability and Enterprise
5. Community and Social Responsibility
6. Mentoring, Intervention and Therapeutic Support
To rebuild engagement with learning and improve literacy, numeracy, communication, and independent learning skills.
· Functional literacy
· Reading comprehension
· Creative writing
· Communication and speaking skills
· Confidence in expressing ideas
· Interview and workplace communication
· Digital communication skills
· Functional numeracy
· Problem-solving
· Budgeting and money management
· Real-life maths applications
· Time management and organisation
· Measurement and practical maths
· Safe use of technology
· Online safety and digital citizenship
· Basic computer skills
· CV creation
· Research skills
· Presentation and media skills
· Real-world challenges
· Team projects
· Community projects
· Independent research
· Creative presentation work
Where appropriate learners may work towards:
· Functional Skills
· ASDAN
· AQA Unit Awards
· Entry Level qualifications
· Vocational certificates
To support emotional growth, self-awareness, resilience, confidence, and healthy decision-making.
· Understanding emotions
· Managing stress and anxiety
· Coping strategies
· Self-regulation techniques
· Mindfulness and grounding
· Mental health awareness
· Self-esteem and confidence
· Healthy coping mechanisms
· Managing pressure and conflict
· Accessing support safely
· Respect and boundaries
· Healthy relationships
· Communication skills
· Conflict resolution
· Peer relationships
· Consent and personal safety
· Building confidence
· Positive self-image
· Goal setting
· Motivation and aspirations
· Personal reflection
· British values
· Equality and diversity
· Community awareness
· Rights and responsibilities
· Financial awareness
· Healthy lifestyles
To improve physical health, discipline, resilience, confidence, teamwork, and emotional wellbeing.
· Strength and conditioning
· Fitness development
· Healthy routines
· Physical confidence
· Goal tracking
Where appropriate and safely supervised, learners may access:
· Boxing fitness
· Pad work and controlled technique training
· Non-contact combat discipline activities
· Discipline and focus training
· Team-building through sport
These activities are used to promote:
· Self-control
· Respect
· Discipline
· Emotional regulation
· Confidence
· Positive peer relationships
· Nutrition and healthy eating
· Sleep and recovery
· Substance misuse awareness
· Personal hygiene and self-care
· Sexual health awareness
· Team challenges
· Community sport
· Nature-based wellbeing activities
· Leadership exercises
· Confidence-building experiences
To prepare learners for employment, training, entrepreneurship, and adult life.
· Career exploration
· Aspirations and pathways
· Goal setting
· Further education guidance
· Apprenticeship awareness
· CV writing
· Interview preparation
· Workplace expectations
· Timekeeping and professionalism
· Teamwork and communication
· Budgeting and finance
· Business planning
· Creative enterprise projects
· Leadership skills
· Customer service
· Event planning
· Independent living skills
· Managing money
· Travel training
· Housing awareness
· Problem-solving
· Organisation skills
To develop belonging, positive contribution, empathy, and social awareness.
· Volunteering opportunities
· Local community projects
· Charity and fundraising activities
· Social action projects
· Anti-bullying education
· Cultural awareness
· Equality and diversity
· Respect for others
· Challenging discrimination
· Positive decision-making
· Accountability
· Community safety
· Understanding laws and consequences
· Responsible online behaviour
To provide personalised support that removes barriers to engagement and achievement.
· Trusted adult relationships
· Goal-focused mentoring
· Emotional support
· Positive role modelling
· Behaviour intervention plans
· Restorative practice
· Regulation support
· Conflict management
· Individual learning adaptations
· Communication support
· Sensory considerations
· Multi-agency collaboration
· Vulnerability support
· Exploitation awareness
· Family support referrals
· Multi-agency safeguarding work
· Reflective conversations
· Trauma-informed support
· Wellbeing interventions
· Emotional check-ins
NEXT STEP Alternative Provision CIC uses:
· Small group learning
· Individualised support
· Flexible timetables
· Practical learning experiences
· Relationship-based teaching
· Restorative approaches
· Differentiated learning strategies
· Positive behaviour support
· Real-life contextual learning
Staff recognise that consistency, emotional safety, and positive relationships are essential for successful learning.
We are committed to ensuring learners with SEND can access the curriculum fully.
Reasonable adjustments may include:
· Adapted teaching approaches
· Sensory regulation support
· Reduced group sizes
· Additional mentoring
· Flexible learning environments
· Communication support
· Personalised learning plans
The curriculum reflects the principles outlined within the SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan.
Safeguarding is embedded throughout the curriculum.
Learners are taught about:
· Healthy relationships
· Online safety
· Exploitation risks
· Mental health
· Consent and boundaries
· Substance misuse
· Community safety
· Emotional wellbeing
· Seeking help safely
All curriculum delivery promotes emotional safety, inclusion, and trust.
Progress will be measured through:
· Attendance and engagement
· Learner voice
· Emotional wellbeing progress
· Behaviour and regulation improvements
· Achievement and accreditation
· Personal development outcomes
· Destination pathways
· Reintegration success where appropriate
Success is recognised both academically and personally.
NEXT STEP Alternative Provision CIC works collaboratively with:
· Schools
· Local authorities
· Families and carers
· Youth services
· Mental health services
· Community organisations
· Employers and training providers
· Safeguarding agencies
Strong partnerships help ensure learners receive consistent and effective support.
We are committed to creating an environment where every learner feels respected, represented, and included regardless of:
· Race
· Ethnicity
· Religion
· Disability
· Neurodiversity
· Gender
· Sexual orientation
· Socioeconomic background
Discrimination, prejudice, and harmful language are not tolerated.
This curriculum outline will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains:
· Relevant
· Inclusive
· Trauma-informed
· Responsive to learner needs
· Aligned with national guidance
· Effective in supporting positive outcomes
Curriculum approved by: NEXT STEP Alternative Provision CIC
Date: ___________________
Review Date: ___________________