We teach in very small groups and one-to-one as determined by the needs of the child.
Most of our students arrive with significant gaps in English and maths, and with a history of finding school difficult or impossible to attend. Large classes, busy corridors and unpredictable days are usually part of why previous placements broke down. We have built the school around removing those pressures rather than asking students to cope with them.
Who we can support
We work with young people aged 11 to 16 whose primary need is social, emotional and mental health. In practice, students often come to us after anxiety-based school avoidance, permanent exclusion, or a mainstream or specialist placement that could not meet need.
How we teach
Teaching is one-to-one or in very small groups, matched to each student’s starting point rather than to their year group. English and maths are prioritised, because that is where the gaps usually are and because those two core subjects.
The environment is deliberately low arousal. Demands are reduced, not removed – expectations stay high, but we take the pressure out of how they are met. Staff know every student well enough to notice when a day is going wrong before it does.
Staffing
We provide high levels of support and intervention, both academic, vocational and around social, emotional and mental health needs.
Typical day-to-day staff – student ratios are between 1:1 – 1:4.
Therapeutic and pastoral support
As a trauma informed SEMH school we provide support for children through a highly experienced and qualified team, including specialist teachers, SENCOs, pastoral staff and youth work.
Other additional specialist interventions are through commissioned Doctor of Clinical Psychology, Masters Degree specialist in dyslexia support accredited with the BDA, and other therapies and interventions as needed.
We work closely with targeted and specialist teams, including those within North Lincolnshire Council, such as CAMHS to support our students.
To support our work we commission other services such as targeted youth support that provide mentoring and interventions, and work around music and multi-media.
The school day
The shape of the day
| 9.15 – 10.00 | Soft start, breakfast and booking lunch |
| 10.00 – 10.45 | Period 1 |
| 10.45 – 11.30 | Period 2 |
| 11.30 – 12.15 | Period 3 |
| 12.15 – 12.30 | Lunch |
| 12.30 – 1.15 | Period 4 |
| 1.15 – 2.00 | Period 5 |
| 2.00 – 2.30 | Period 6 |
Six sessions of up to forty-five minutes.
The school day finishes at half past two.
Breaks and lunch
Lunch is a structured part of the day. Students and staff eat together, at the table, at the same time. This can include free flowing discussion or include games such as chess.
Students can bring their own lunch, or have a free lunch here. Your child does not need to be entitled to free school meals – we feed them anyway.
Beyond the classroom
Students learn to cook, to travel independently, and to manage the practical parts of adult life. Sport is part of the week rather than an add-on — we are based at a working football club, with a pitch and facilities on site.
Students also receive independent careers advice and guidance about further education, training and employment, so that Year 11 does not arrive without a plan.
Talk to us
If you have a young person in mind and want to know whether we could meet need, a short conversation is usually quicker than an email exchange.
Contact us
Telephone: 01724 454377
Email: admin@pledge2learn.co.uk
