Some pupils have zero chance in mainstream schools. Alternative provision schools can give them a chance

This is not to say these children are not capable of achieving great things. As anyone working in an alternative provision school will tell you, their pupils are equally capable as their mainstream peers. But they’ve all had additional challenges to contend with, writes Cath Murray

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Excluded children don’t get as good results as those who stay in mainstream schools.

A new report by the Centre for Social Justice has revealed that in 13 local authority areas, not a single pupil excluded from state secondary schools passed their GCSE maths and English over the last three years. And one in 50 excluded pupils in the North East achieves a basic GCSE pass in maths and English, compared to one in 12 in outer London.

This is where the crucial need for alternative provision (AP) schools come in. They educate pupils who, for one reason or another, need additional support. They may have complex home circumstances or special educational needs that have not been identified because parents or teachers were less able to perceive this need and proactively push for a diagnosis and official recognition.