What’s on offer?
At Switch Up, we specialise in working with young people who are at risk of exclusion, or who have already been excluded from school, and need tailored, inspiring, and supportive approaches to education. We are a trauma-informed organisation, and many of our team bring lived experience of the same challenges faced by the young people we support. This allows us to connect authentically, build trust, and provide mentoring and education that feels relevant and empowering.
Our proven track record shows that we can re-engage learners who face significant barriers, whether social, emotional, behavioural, or linked to special educational needs, while also supporting a broad spectrum of young people from different backgrounds. We focus on individual learning styles, ensuring that every young person can access education in a way that plays to their strengths and nurtures their confidence.
Every referral is treated as unique. We design bespoke plans that help young people overcome obstacles, improve their attainment, attendance, and behaviour, and achieve their true potential. Our approach blends high-quality education, mentoring, employability, and wellbeing support in a way that is engaging, nurturing, and impactful.
At Switch Up, we don’t just provide alternative education, we transform lives. We help young people at risk of exclusion, or already excluded, to believe in themselves, re-engage with education, and build positive futures where they can reach their true potential.
Academic qualifications:
GCSE English and GCSE Maths (subject to tutor/school support)
Vocational qualifications:
- ASDAN Short Courses including core subjects, vocational tasters such as sports, cooking, construction, hair & beauty, and personal & social development topics (https://www.asdan.org.uk/courses/short-courses/)
- ASDAN Personal Development Programmes: Bronze, Silver & Gold (https://www.asdan.org.uk/personal-development-programmes/)
- Financial Literacy & Life Skills
- Employability Skills & Post-16 Transition Support for Moving Into Adulthood
- Carbon Awareness & Sustainability Education
- Bespoke Workshops (e.g. resilience, conflict resolution, health & wellbeing, crime prevention, digital literacy)
- Practical Learning & Employer Engagement – we utilise our trusted partners who run businesses in construction and mechanics to deliver the hands-on elements of ASDAN qualifications. This not only gives young people direct exposure to real working environments but also creates pathways into apprenticeships, work placements, and long-term employment opportunities.
Functional skills:
Maths and English Entry 1 to Level 2
SEND provision:
- 1:1 and small group provision
- Experience with learners with EHCPs, ACEs, trauma, ASD, ADHD, PDA, ODD
- Looked After Children (LAC)
- Support for post-16, secondary, and selected upper-primary students
Therapeutic/nurture/wellbeing support:
- Mentoring through sport, including boxing at an England Boxing accredited centre, to build confidence, discipline, and resilience
- In-house counsellor offering therapeutic support
- Focus on self-esteem, emotional wellbeing, and positive relationships
Fees:
We recognise that every young person’s situation is different, so our costs are tailored to the individual referral.