Alternative provision that helps young people reconnect with learning

 

Urban Beat Academy provides alternative provision for young people who are disengaged from, or no longer thriving in, mainstream education.

Many of the young people we work with have experienced disrupted education, exclusion, or a breakdown in trust with traditional learning environments.

Our approach focuses on rebuilding engagement through relevant, creative learning, delivered within consistent, supportive relationships.

Alternative Provision That Helps Young People Reconnect With Learning

“Urban Beat Academy delivers relationship-led alternative provision for young people who are disengaged from, or no longer thriving in, mainstream education.”

How Our Alternative Provision Works
  • Placements are tailored to the needs of each young person and delivered in a calm, structured, and supportive environment. Sessions combine creative learning, mentoring, and practical skill development, with a strong emphasis on consistency, trust and engagement. Programmes can be delivered on a short- or medium-term basis and are designed to support re-engagement, progression, and reintegration where appropriate.
Who This Provision Is For
  • This provision is suitable for young people who are not currently thriving in mainstream education and would benefit from a more personalised, relationship-led approach. This may include students who are: At risk of exclusion Experiencing emotionally based school avoidance Struggling with behaviour linked to unmet needs Returning from disrupted or alternative placements We work closely with schools, local authorities, and support services to ensure placements are appropriate, supportive, and focused on positive outcomes.
Outcomes and Progression
  • Our alternative provision supports young people to build confidence, improve engagement, and develop positive relationships with learning. Outcomes may include improved attendance, increased self-regulation, re-engagement with education, progression into further provision, or supported reintegration into mainstream settings. We prioritise realistic, meaningful progress and work collaboratively with referrers to review outcomes and next steps.
Get in touch

Urban Beat Academy is designed for young people who feel disconnected from traditional education—those at risk of exclusion, with low attendance, SEMH needs, neurodiversity, trauma backgrounds, or simply untapped potential waiting to explode through creativity. Our programmes resonate deeply with youth immersed in urban culture, street sounds, digital media, and modern beats. If mainstream school feels rigid and uninspiring, we provide the relevant, high-energy space where they belong and thrive not just cope.

We primarily work with ages 11–19 (Key Stage 3 to post-16), including those in alternative provision, PRUs, or post-16 pathways. We also offer tailored sessions for younger transitions (10+) and young adults up to 21 in specific mentoring/employability projects. Our content scales to meet each age group with age-appropriate challenges and industry relevance.

We offer a flexible mix to maximise impact and personalisation:

  • 1:1 mentoring for those needing intensive, bespoke support (e.g., complex SEMH or trauma-focused).
  • Small groups (typically 4–8 young people) for collaborative creative projects, peer learning, and building social confidence through shared production, cyphers, or media challenges.
  • Larger group workshops for schools or short bursts. This hybrid model ensures deep individual attention while fostering teamwork and community—far more dynamic than purely one-size-fits-all approaches.

Placements are highly flexible to fit real needs:

  • Short-term: 6–12 week intensive blocks for rapid confidence boosts or crisis intervention.
  • Medium-term: Full or part-time terms (e.g., 1–3 terms) as core alternative provision.
  • Long-term: Rolling enrolments with pathways to sustained post-16 support or employability programmes. We adapt start dates, session frequency (e.g., 2–5 days/week), and duration based on referrals, progress, and reintegration plans. No rigid boxes—your timeline, your progress.

Referrals are straightforward and fast:

  • Schools, local authorities, PRUs, social care teams, youth offending services, or other professionals can refer directly via our online form, email (info@urbanbeatacademy.org.uk), or phone.
  • We respond within 24–48 hours with an initial discussion.
  • We conduct a quick, low-pressure assessment chat (with the young person where possible) to ensure the right fit.
  • Paperwork is minimal—we handle DfE-compliant processes and work closely with commissioners for funded placements. We pride ourselves on speed and accessibility, so no young person waits unnecessarily.

Safeguarding is non-negotiable and embedded in everything we do. All staff are DBS-checked, trained in advanced safeguarding, trauma-informed practice, and de-escalation. We maintain robust policies aligned with KCSIE and local protocols, including:

  • Risk assessments for every placement.
  • Clear behaviour and wellbeing frameworks.
  • On-site mental health first aiders and links to CAMHS/external support.
  • Regular multi-agency reviews and transparent reporting. Our urban, youth-led environment builds trust quickly, reducing risks through genuine relationships rather than control. We turn potential vulnerabilities into strengths through creative outlets.

 

Expect measurable, life-changing results:

  • Improved attendance and engagement (often 80%+ in our settings).
  • Reduced exclusions/behaviour incidents through better self-regulation.
  • Progress in core skills (literacy/numeracy embedded via creative projects).
  • Accredited outcomes (e.g., Arts Award, music/media qualifications, employability badges).
  • Enhanced confidence, resilience, and aspiration—tracked via wellbeing tools and qualitative feedback.
  • Successful reintegration or positive next steps (further education, apprenticeships, creative industries). Schools and LAs tell us we deliver higher retention and real transformation compared to less culturally relevant provisions.

Absolutely—reintegration is a core strength. Many of our young people return to mainstream, specialist, or post-16 settings stronger and more motivated. We provide:

  • Structured reintegration planning with schools/LAs.
  • Phased returns (e.g., part-time bridging).
  • Ongoing mentoring during transition.
  • Confidence-building tools to handle triggers. Our track record shows high success rates because we don’t just “hold” young people we equip them to succeed anywhere, with lasting skills in creativity, collaboration, and self-advocacy.