Organisers of the Tes SEND Show have been hard at work creating more events nationwide. Recently, they headed to Manchester to host the Transforming SEND & Alternative Provision conference. Kicking off the day were talks from SEND Consultant, Policy Specialist and TES Columnist, Margaret Mulholland, and SEND Professional Adviser, André Imich, on successfully delivering the SEND and AP Improvement Plan and a skilled workforce. 

In the afternoon, one breakout session looked at a case study of an alternative provision nurture hub in Rutland. CEO of the Brooke Hill Academy Trust, Craig Charteris, explained the work they have been doing on creating an AP hub within a mainstream setting to help students transition back to mainstream school. 

The Nest is a hub for students in years 2-4 and sits within a mainstream primary school. The project is supported by 17 primary schools in the local area and will receive children from any of them. As of the time of the conference, the hub had supported 34 students at risk of permanent exclusion from their home school. 

Mr Charteris explained that the focus of The Nest is improving behaviour, confidence and allowing time for students to catch up academically with their peers, before returning to their home school after four terms in the hub. But how do they do this?

Structure is important, Mr Chateris explained, and it is vital to start the day right. Children are met by their teacher as they enter the hub, starting the day with a positive interaction with staff, and then hanging up their bags to help them adjust to a routine. After breakfast and lessons, there is a circle time. This is an important part of the day, as again it adjusts students to a routine, and Mr Chateris explained that when changing any part of the children’s day, it is talked through with them to encourage children to feel safe and secure in the environment. 

During the session, Mr Chateris pointed to a quote from behaviour specialist and author Paul Dix:

Without refined routines there is too much improvisation and too much chance of some children losing their way, day after day.

Positive interactions, good communication and a consistent structure are all things we can benefit from in our professional lives and beyond. Children are no different. Having a structure to a day means they know what to expect and what is expected of them – creating a calmer learning environment. "If [a child] has a chaotic home life, why do they need a chaotic school life?” said Mr Chateris. 

There are challenges for The Nest which Mr Chateris pointed out: demand for spaces, staff training, and funding being just a few of them. But the hub was an interesting case study of how an LA funded alternative provision nurture hub can be positioned within a mainstream setting, with overall successful results for its students. 

The Transforming SEND & Alternative Provision conference is just a taste of what is on offer at the year’s Tes SEND Show in October and a new Tes SEND Show North in Bolton in 2025. Keep an eye out for updates on the SEND Network. 

If you want to listen to some of the presentations from the Transforming SEND & Alternative Provision conference, find them in our premium video library.