ALTR RISE:We specialise in transitioning children from childhood to adulthood, bridging gaps in learning, social understanding, developing emotional awareness and resilience and wellbeing. We work closely with the young person to make informed choices about future pathways and offer the skills, support and structure to achieve their goals and ambitions in innovative and functional settings.
RISE also recognises the importance of transitions into new settings and so we also offer opportunities for years 10 and 11 to access courses at RISE for one day per week.
Type of Provision:RISE is an Independent special educational provision for Pupils aged 16-25. We also offer transition days and experiences for students from the ages of 14. We cater for 18 students in RISE 16-25 and 8 students age 14-16 in each of our two alternative Transition programmes.
RISE provides education and specialist facilities for pupils who have struggled in mainstream school with a SEN need and have perhaps been unsuccessful in securing an Educational Health Care Plan (EHC). We also assist those students with an EHC plan that identifies significant difficulties such as autism spectrum disorder, speech language and communication difficulties, generalised learning difficulties, moderate learning difficulties, social emotional mental health, sensory and physical needs and dyslexia. All of those that attend the provision are likely to have a combination of learning needs. RISE primarily but not exclusively serves Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire.
Admission Criteria and arrangements:All students in the RISE provision must have an Educational Health and Care Plan (EHC plan), diagnosis of a SEN need or a history of requiring modifications and or adaptations because of a special educational need.
14-16 Transition provision and courses: Students can apply for places through their current school via the application forms available here LINK16-25 Provision and courses
If no EHC Plan: 16-25 Full time 3-day courses can be applied for by the young persons current school via the application form available here LINK
If an EHCP is in place: If your child has an education, health and care (EHC) plan or a statement of special educational needs (SEN) there is a separate process for your child's school admission:
- Our Education, Health and Care Team will send you a letter seeking details of your school preference;
- You will be asked to return your preference within 15 days;
- You will be informed of the outcome of this consultation by 15 February of the year in which you are applying;
- If you disagree with this decision, you can then appeal to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SEND) by visiting our
Mediation and disagreement resolution page.
School characteristics:
Our provision setting is very aspirational, surrounded by a plethora of industries, from design and graphics to the food and drink industry, a beautiful calm setting and a rich community full of opportunities to explore all areas of need, interest and ambition. Each young person accessing RISE will develop the confidence and passion to access the wealth of opportunities available to them and created by us, especially for them.
We aim to utilise the vast outdoor space and plentiful sporting facilities which surround us to enrich the curriculum and learning environment for all of our students, whether as part of ALTR RISE or RISE X. Learning with RISE is intended to be a positive, exciting and innovative journey and our surroundings are a key and fundamental part of the RISE experience. Whilst we will be at some distance from other site users for the majority of the time, our unique location also provides the opportunity to help students be comfortable with social interactions in a professional environment, an invaluable life skill as students prepare to transition into the world of work.
We have two large classroom spaces that facilitate Life skills opportunities, academic studies, IT suite, access to workstations and sensory space, careers library and reading library. We also have use of a breakout room where learners can take breaks, make coffee’s and socialise.
The child centred RISE philosophy coupled with our wide age spectrum for delivery makes us perfectly placed to undertake long term planning and initiatives for our children and young people. We can work on long term as well as short term progress targets that span years rather than weeks, building foundations and developing with the student to achieve greater and more sustainable progress. Our philosophy for constant observation and non-intrusive assessment means that we can quickly identify new opportunities for personal and educational growth and more suitable and successful means of delivery of work. Our feedback and progress model is accessible and measurable, enabling holistic monitoring and full team inclusion throughout the process. The Accessibility Plan demonstrates how individuals can access the site, all its resources and curriculum.
RISE provides specialist teaching for pupils within the Autistic Spectrum. ASD classes are organised using TEACCH principles. The sensory impairment provision provides appropriate specialised learning ideas that minimise the effects of impairment and maximise the opportunities for learning and consider the impact of the environment on the learning. Staff also have training experience in supporting Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Moderate Learning Difficulties, Asperger’s and ADHD, Dyscalculia and this expertise is utilised to ensure that all lessons and activities are accessible, inclusive with appropriate pace and challenge. An enhanced curriculum includes specialist learning programmes, independence and therapies such as physiotherapy and speech and language delivered under instruction from the therapists.
Everything undertaken within RISE Provision is about the future of the young person. RISE is committed to:
• A student-centred approach where wellbeing and safeguarding are priority;
• Providing well qualified staff with a wealth of experience employed using safer recruitment practices;
• Targeted and personalised support to maximise the engagement with education and develop a passion for lifelong learning;
• Empowering each young person to be individual, make informed decisions for themselves and be self-assured at communicating needs and wants;
• A personalised approach to learning that is tailored to meet needs; informed by appropriate background information, the young person’s voice, and aspiration and removal of all barriers;
• Clear outcomes agreed by the young person and all stakeholders and a continued triangulated approach to their health, care, education and wellbeing through regular, quality communication;
• An assessment plan to review approach to all learning and practice;
• Developing all key areas of independence exploring Life and Living Skills. This offers a personalised and flexible learning programme that covers a range of personal, life, social and pre-employability skills with certification, Financial understanding and preparation, Travel training, Personal safety and Personal care;
• Teaching young people how to spend their time; expose to hobbies; activities and interests for life. Explore food through exposure and preparation and support strategies to develop Emotional regulation;
• Teaching Life and Living Skills to help students develop the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to manage life and future opportunities and to compliment the "life and Living Skills' curriculum;
• Developing key skills in Literacy and Numeracy through accredited qualifications, with emphasis on reading and use of site vocabulary in the community;
• Engaging in local Enterprise, Community Projects and fundraisers;
• Preparing for adult life by exploring needs, desires, aspirations and next step pathways;