Part-Time

Since January 2024, Apex Specialist Education has worked in partnership with secondary schools, Rochdale Pioneers Trust, and the local authority to offer part-time Alternative Provision (AP) placements for hundreds of children within the borough.

Our exceptionally successful programme has facilitated a means for schools to access high quality AP, challenging rising exclusions, whilst promoting inclusive practice.

Whilst on placement at Apex, schools are kept informed of a pupils emerging needs, and a carefully constructed plan is devised in order to challenge any barriers to mainstream engagement. At Apex pupils engage in specialist teaching across all core subjects, and a broad and balanced extended curriculum; thus ensuring their academic progress remains a constant focus.

Working within the tier-2 remit of the SEND and AP improvement plan this offer has bolstered inclusion across Rochdale, whilst creating a pipeline to education success. Our attendance has remained considerably above local and national (sector) trends, and our success at offering transitional education is proven successful. We have received glowing feedback from all stakeholders, and become a finalist in the Rochdale Business Awards for 2024; a mark of the impact we are having on children in the borough.

We are proud to share that this partnership will continue into next academic year (2025-2026), where even more children will benefit from high quality reintegration focused AP.

Full-Time

Following the success of our 2025 Ofsted inspection (Good with Outstanding features), we have been approved to extend our premises and increase our capacity. Therefore, we have extended our Alternative Provision services to include a limited amount of full-time placements.

We are welcoming referrals for 2025-2026 academic year.

Pupils who attend Apex full-time will receive a high-quality, academic offer; delivered within a registered centre, which includes access to specialist resources and teaching. This includes a wide qualification offer covering GCSEs, functional skills, technical, and vocational qualifications.

Whilst our aim is always to reintegrate pupils, we recognise that some children may need an extended placement, which could include an eventual transition to a post-16 or other educational placement. Our expert team of practitioners will work closely with schools, pupils, families, and wider stakeholders to tailor support and services to enable every child to flourish, and succeed in their intended destination.

We promote a trauma-informed approach, underpinned by the philosophy of positive behaviour support. This ensures that despite pupils', often complex starting points; they all succeed. A model which was glowingly recognised in the school's recent Ofsted:

"Despite disrupted and often negative experiences of education previously, pupils flourish here. Their attendance typically improves considerably when they join this school. This helps pupils to meet the school’s high expectations for their achievement." Ofsted - 2025