Episode Summary

In this episode of The Leadership Lens, Rachael Snowdon-Poole explores one of the most critical – and often misunderstood – areas of school leadership: Alternative Provision (AP). With more pupils entering AP each year, school leaders must understand what effective provision looks like, how to commission it well, and how to ensure pupils are receiving education that makes a real difference.

Rachael draws on national data, DfE guidance, and her own leadership experience to separate myth from reality, highlighting what school leaders must know to keep provision purposeful, safe, and focused on pupil outcomes.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• 📊 The national picture: who attends AP, and why numbers are rising.
• ❌ Common myths about AP – and what the DfE actually says.
• 💡 Why AP matters, with real examples of pupil transformation.
• ✅ What makes AP effective: relationships, personalised curricula, therapeutic support, and reintegration pathways.
• 🔄 The different types of provision – from PRUs to independent providers to in-school units.
• 📘 The essentials of DfE guidance, including the “day 6 rule,” dual registration, and reintegration planning.
• 📝 What must be included in commissioning agreements.
• 🗣️ The importance of pupil and family voice.
• 🔍 A closer look at in-school units and their role in prevention.
• 🤔 Reflection prompts for leaders to evaluate their own AP practice.

Reflection Prompts for Leaders

• Do you have a commissioning agreement for every AP pupil?
• Are placements reviewed at least half-termly?
• Is pupil and family voice captured in your planning?
• Could you articulate your ambition for each child in AP if an inspector asked tomorrow?

Premium Version Available 🎧

In the Premium version of this episode, Rachael takes a deeper dive, including:

• A step-by-step guide to commissioning agreements.
• How to design structured induction and on-entry assessments.
• Aligning AP provision with EHCP targets.
• Key inspection questions leaders must be ready to answer.
• Plus: a downloadable Commissioning and Monitoring Checklist.

👉 Upgrade to The Leadership Lens Premium to access the full episode and tools:

https://tinyurl.com/3pp3x67s

About the Host

Rachael Snowdon-Poole is a serving headteacher and trust leader with over 20 years’ experience in education. She created The Leadership Lens to provide practical, thoughtful professional development for school leaders at a time when budgets are stretched but the demands of leadership keep growing.

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