What is alternative provision?

Alternative provision is defined as ‘education arranged by local authorities for pupils who, because of exclusion, illness or other reasons, would not otherwise receive suitable education; education arranged by schools for pupils on a fixed period exclusion; and pupils being directed by schools to off-site provision to improve their behaviour’ (DfE 2013).

Schools can use such provision to try to prevent exclusions, or to re-engage pupils in their education.