Alternative Provision– in Newcastle and Gateshead
A Personalised Approach to Rebuilding Confidence and Engagement
When school is no longer working for a child, it can affect everything. Confidence drops, anxiety increases and learning begins to feel overwhelming.
At Toucan Education, our Alternative Provision offers a calm, structured and highly personalised pathway for children aged 5 to 15 who are unable to fully access mainstream education. Our focus is not just on academic progress, but on helping children feel safe, understood and ready to learn again.
A Personalised Approach to Rebuilding Confidence and Engagement
Our provision operates during school hours and is delivered by experienced SEND specialists in small group settings with high staff ratios. Each child is supported through a personalised approach that prioritises engagement, wellbeing and confidence first.
Children remain on roll at their mainstream school and attend Toucan under an agreed placement arrangement, ensuring continuity and clear communication
We provide a safe, regulated and personalised learning environment for children aged 5 to 15 who may be:
Struggling to attend school
Experiencing anxiety or burnout
Waiting for a specialist placement
Finding the classroom overwhelming
Requiring intensive SEND support
In need of a temporary or longer term alternative
What Is Alternative Provision?
Alternative Provision is specialist education delivered outside of a traditional mainstream classroom for children who are unable to fully access school in its current form. It is designed to provide structured, supervised and purposeful learning during school hours, while addressing the underlying needs that may be affecting attendance, confidence or academic progress. For many children, this means receiving targeted literacy support, regulation strategies and personalised teaching in a smaller, calmer environment where they can feel safe enough to re engage with learning.
At Toucan Education, this means:
Bespoke, Individual Learning Plans
Every child begins with assessment and a personalised half term plan aligned to their needs and school targets.
Specialist SEND Support During School Hours
Children attend during the school day and receive targeted intervention from experienced SEND teachers and specialists.
Small Groups with High Staff Ratios
Low pupil numbers allow for meaningful one to one attention, consistent regulation support and responsive teaching.
Focus on Engagement and Readiness
We prioritise emotional wellbeing and confidence so that children are ready to learn at the right time.
Why Choose Toucan Education?
Founded by a Specialist Who Saw the Gap
Toucan was created by a dyslexia assessor who recognised that children struggling with anxiety and classroom pressure needed support during the school day, not after it when they were already exhausted.
An Environment Designed Around the Child
Every detail is intentionally created to meet individual needs, from flexible seating and sensory tools to movement options and occupational therapy informed adjustments.
Bespoke Support That Moulds Around Each Child
We do not expect children to fit into our model. We shape the environment, curriculum and support around the child so they can feel safe, regulated and ready to learn.
Restoring Confidence and Rebuilding Engagement
Many children arrive anxious and disengaged. At Toucan, we often see them breathe a sigh of relief, grow in confidence and rediscover their readiness to learn and progress.
How Our Alternative Provision Works
Our Alternative Provision runs during the school day and provides structured, specialist SEND education in a calm and supportive environment. Attendance is agreed in partnership with families and schools, ensuring the provision complements the child’s mainstream placement while addressing their individual needs.
Session Times
• Morning session: 9.30am to 12 noon
• Afternoon session: 12.30pm to 3pm
Children may attend for half days or full days depending on need. Full day pupils bring a packed lunch.
Each day is carefully structured to balance targeted academic intervention with regulation and wellbeing support. Learning is personalised, purposeful and designed to rebuild confidence alongside progress.
Each session includes:
Every session is shaped around the child’s personalised learning plan, with a clear focus on literacy, engagement and measurable progress.
• Focused basic skills intervention tailored to literacy and processing needs
• Structured writing and reading development supported by weekly teacher assessment
• Planned movement and outdoor breaks to support regulation and sustained attention
We also incorporate:
Alongside academic support, we prioritise emotional development and self understanding so that children feel safe, confident and empowered in their learning.
• Understanding diagnoses and recognising individual strengths
• Regulation strategies including calming techniques, yoga and mindfulness
• Input from external professionals such as occupational therapy where appropriate
After each session, parents receive a short report outlining what has been covered. Schools receive half termly progress updates aligned to agreed targets.
Attendance and Safeguarding
Children attending Toucan Alternative Provision remain on roll at their mainstream school and are typically recorded under Code B, off site educational activity. This confirms that education is supervised, structured and appropriately safeguarded. Toucan Education maintains robust safeguarding procedures, with all staff holding enhanced DBS checks, up to date safeguarding training and first aid certification. A designated Child Protection lead is present each day, and we maintain open communication with schools regarding attendance, welfare and any concerns. We are able to provide Ofsted registration details, health and safety documentation and relevant policies upon request to ensure full transparency and reassurance for families, schools and local authorities.
A Personalised and Nurturing Approach
Toucan Alternative Provision provides a nurturing, personalised environment for students who may struggle in mainstream education. Our focus is on rebuilding confidence, engagement and readiness to learn.
Through strong relationships and meaningful activities, we support:
Personal development and emotional wellbeing
Social interaction and communication
Confidence and self belief
Readiness to re engage with education
Our flexible, student centred approach helps young people overcome barriers, achieve positive outcomes and develop the skills needed for everyday life.
Who Can Access Toucan Alternative Provision?
Toucan Alternative Provision can be accessed through a range of referral pathways. We work in partnership with mainstream schools, local authorities and families to ensure placements are appropriate, structured and supportive.
Mainstream Schools
Schools may refer pupils who are struggling to attend, at risk of disengagement or requiring targeted SEND intervention during the school week. We work collaboratively with SENDCOs and senior leaders to align targets, maintain communication and ensure continuity of education while the pupil remains on roll.
Local Authorities
Local authorities may commission placements for children who require specialist alternative education, are awaiting a specialist school place or need additional provision to support their EHCP outcomes. We provide structured reporting, safeguarding assurance and measurable progress tracking.
Parents and Guardians
Parents may enquire directly about self funded placements where additional support is needed. We encourage families to speak with their child’s school in the first instance so that provision is transparent and coordinated. We are always happy to discuss suitability and next steps before any agreement is made.
Placements may be school funded, local authority funded or self funded depending on the child’s circumstances and level of need.
Alternative Provision for Complex Needs
For children with more complex or significant needs, Toucan offers a specialist strand of Alternative Provision with higher staff to pupil ratios and enhanced therapeutic support. This provision is designed for pupils who require intensive regulation work, communication support, coordination development or highly individualised learning pathways. We work closely with families, schools and professionals to ensure each child’s environment, timetable and targets are carefully shaped around their needs, providing consistency, safety and meaningful progress.
Explore how we can create a bespoke pathway of support tailored to your child.
Frequent Asked Questions
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Will my child fall behind in maths or other subjects?
Most children accessing Alternative Provision are already significantly behind in literacy, which impacts all areas of learning. Addressing literacy often accelerates progress elsewhere. We can align with school planning where needed.
How long does it take to see progress?
Progress can be gradual. Many children show emotional and confidence improvements first. Literacy gains often become more visible after 6 months of consistent support.
What ages do you support?
We work with primary and secondary aged children from 5 to 15.
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Is this suitable for children with complex needs?
Yes. We provide high staff to pupil ratios and bespoke support. We also have a dedicated Complex Needs strand, which is outlined separately.
Can school staff visit?
Yes. We welcome communication and visits from schools to ensure transparency and partnership.
What if the school is unsure about Code B?
We are happy to provide documentation and discuss attendance coding. Some schools may alternatively record provision under medical related codes linked to SEND needs.
Start your journey today, speak with our team!
Everyone wants the best for their children, by speaking with our specialist support team you’ll be starting that journey. We can guide you through the process and explain how we can support you and your child.
