Alternative provision (AP) is defined as:
“Education arranged by local authorities for children of compulsory school age who, because of exclusion, illness or other reasons, would not otherwise receive suitable education; alternative provision can also be used by schools for children on a suspension (fixed period exclusion); and for children being directed by schools to offsite provision to receive education intended to improve their behaviour”
(Arranging Alternative Provision Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities. DfE February 2025).
In Bath and North East Somerset, the local authority retains responsibility for providing education for pupils who have received a permanent exclusion and for those who due to ill health cannot access school. These are both commissioned services with registered DFE providers overseen by the Alternative Learning Team.
Our Day 6 provision for pupils who have been permanently excluded is provided by the following DFE registered providers:
For Primary: Lansdown Park Academy
For Secondary: St. Matthias Academy
Our Hospital Reintegration Service (HERS) is provided by The Partnership Trust, based at Abbot Alphege Academy. Details of this service and the referral process can be accessed via the HERS page on The Hub.
External Commissioning of Alternative Provision
Schools and other education providers are able to commission their own alternative providers. The majority of these are DFE unregistered providers. Bath and North East Somerset have an approved provider list which enables external commissioners to look at the provision that is on offer in the local authority. The organisations and agencies in this list have completed due diligence checks in the local authority but the school or education setting, as commissioners, remain responsible for ensuring that the provision being offered meets the statutory educational and safeguarding requirements outlined by the Government. Schools should refer to the advice outlined in the relevant documents.
Arranging Alternative Provision February 2025 - DFE
Non-School Alternative Provision National Standards September 2025 - DFE
Arranging education for children who cannot attend school because of health needs - DFE 2023
Bath and North East Somerset Alternative Provision Strategy
All external commissioners are expected to conduct their own quality assurance of all places commissioned and where possible it is recommended that schools use Local Authority approved providers.
Advice for schools and education settings commissioning external alternative provision
For detailed advice about commissioning and quality assuring external alternative provision see BNES Guidance for Quality Assurance AP found below. For further information please refer to the Alternative Provision page over on The Hub or email EOTAS@bathnes.gov.uk
BANES Guidance For Commissioning and Oversight of Alternative provision Dec 25
Last updated: 9 January 2026