Safe Start Independent School

Safe Start is an Ofsted registered Independent School and Alternative Provision based in Ashton-under-Lyne, Manchester for Key Stage 4 students. At Safe Start, we work with at-risk students who have been disengaged from the education system for a significant period of time. Our students are unable to access mainstream education for a variety of reasons and require a bespoke curriculum, a flexible timetable and smaller class sizes in order to access the National Curriculum. Moreover, our students have often experienced childhood trauma, adverse experiences and may be living in disadvantaged areas, often coming to us with little or no aspirations for their future. We work closely with students, families, social workers and youth offending teams to deliver a holistic approach to education and development though a trauma-informed lens. Character Education is an integral part to the work we do a Safe Start. We offer a seamless blend between a rigorous and stretching academic education and outstanding wider personal development. These and other aspects of the school’s work all contribute to forming well-educated and rounded young adults ready to take their place in the world. All young people referred to Safe Start are students who in agreement with the schools require an exploration of an alternate provision. We aim to provide a bespoke package designed to meet the requirements of each young person to thrive in other ways by using alternative strategies to engage the student into progressing with their education, personal development and attitudes. Some of these students may be at risk of permanent exclusion from mainstream schools or other providers. We work with each referred young person to help them identify their priority of needs and wherever possible, build upon mainstream achievements.