Alternative Provision

Welcome to the Oaktree Alternative Provision Centre. We offer supportive, high-quality educational placements tailored to young people who thrive outside of a traditional school environment. To ensure a seamless transition for our students, we accept referral applications at any point throughout the academic year, allowing us to step in and provide support precisely when a young person needs it most.

How Our Referral Process Works
Unlike other sectors, our admissions process is meticulously structured to ensure we can fully meet the educational, social, and emotional needs of every student. We work in close partnership with commissioning schools and Local Authorities (LAs) to gather a complete picture of the young person before a placement begins.

Our Step-by-Step Admissions Pathway
We believe that a successful placement starts with thorough preparation. We follow a clear, transparent five-stage process to welcome new students:
1 Referral & Review ➔ 2 Clarification ➔ 3 Centre Tour ➔ 4 Placement Decision ➔ 5 6-Week Transition

1. Referral Submission & Initial Review
   Referrals are submitted directly to us by the student’s current school or the Local Authority.
   Students with an EHCP: The referral package should include the student’s Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Students without an EHCP: We provide a dedicated referral form to capture the young person's profile, learning history, and specific support needs. Our Timeline: Our specialist team thoroughly reviews all documentation and will respond within 7 days to confirm if we can broadly meet the student's needs or to request further details.
    
2. Clarification & Professional Collaboration
   If we need deeper insight into how to best support the young person, we will follow up with specific queries. At this stage, we frequently arrange a virtual team meeting (e.g., via MS Teams) with the current school, caseworkers, or relevant professionals to clarify expectations, successful strategies, and targeted outcomes.
    
3. Centre Tour & Family Visit
   We invite prospective students, along with their parents or carers, to visit our centre for a personal tour. This informal meeting is a vital part of the journey, allowing the young person to see the environment firsthand. Together, we will discuss our daily setup, explain centre expectations, and answer any questions the family might have.
    
4. Final Placement Decision
   Combining the knowledge gathered from documentation, professional consultations, and our face-to-face visit, our leadership team makes a comprehensive assessment. We then formally decide if our centre is the right environment to offer the student a placement.
    
5. The 6-Week Transition Period
   We understand that changing educational settings can be a significant adjustment. Once a placement is offered and accepted, every student begins with a 6-week transition period. This structured timeframe allows us to monitor how the student settles, adapt our teaching and support strategies in real-time, and ensure that the placement is sustainable and positive for the long term.

Contact Our Admissions Team
If you are a school leader, inclusion manager, or Local Authority caseworker looking to discuss an alternative provision placement, please contact our admissions desk at  referrals@oaktreeeducation.co.uk to check current curriculum availability and arrange an initial consultation.