Information about the school - Background to Alternative Learning Trust

The Alternative Learning Trust became a multi-academy trust (MAT company number 11788031) in June 2019. There are now six schools within the Trust, The Limes College, (Sutton), Estuary Academy North (EAN), Will Adams Academy, Nore Academy (Special SEMH Sheppey), Estuary Academy Island (EAI) and the Saffron Valley Collegiate. (Croydon). The Department for Education would like Alternative Learning Trust to consider taking in other alternative providers. The Trust has been established to work with Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) and alternative providers who support vulnerable students to access and engage with education. Many of our students have special educational needs and have been excluded from mainstream education.

As a Trust we have the following core set of values for our staff and the families we support: • the need for people to flourish in all areas of their lives; • we are stronger through a sense of community; • social justice is vital.

Background to our Kent Hub - Estuary Academy North

Estuary Academy is located in Gravesend, Kent and has been on a considerable and fast-paced journey, making exciting and positive strides forward. We have an amazing team who are focused on providing the best outcomes for our students, promoting positive behaviour for learning and creating a high-quality teaching environment. Ofsted say that, ‘For many pupils, their time at Estuary Academy North (EAN) is transformational.’ We strongly believe in this moral purpose and seek to continue to grow the exceptional team working to achieve this. With the right facilities and a well renowned SEND department, now is the time to come and work with us. Ofsted outcome – Good with Outstanding for personal development.

Will Adams Academy

Will Adams Academy is located in Gillingham and joined Alternative Learning Trust in 2022. The school has recently reorganised their structure and is working closely with our Gravesend school in sharing facilities, expertise and curriculum development. Ofsted outcome – Good. Will Adams is our smallest Kent & Medway hub school with only 65 children but it is also home to our exceptional SEMH Assessment Centre and Apollo Training programmes which are commissioned by the Medway Local Authority.

Estuary Academy Island

Estuary Academy Island is located in Sheppey, the doors of our school opened in September 2024 welcoming 115 children and young people from the Swale district who displayed a need for SEMH support during the closure of a mainstream Island school. Estuary Academy is working very closely with the new schools on the Island to ensure that the right support is offered at the right time to children and young people with SEMH Needs. This includes an assessment centre, respite provision, long stay provision and a newly developed training provision soon to be available for mainstream schools.

Nore Academy

Estuary Academy is the first SEND Free School Academy for children with Social, Emotional, Mental Health Needs school on the Isle of Sheppey. Nore Academy is a newly built school with capacity for 120 children boasting enviable facilities including a purpose-built sports hall, 2 outside MUGAs (multi use games areas), on-site forest school area, as well as specialist classrooms including hair and beauty, a construction room, an art room and science laboratory. Nore Academy opening in January 2025 and is establishing itself as a supportive school in the heart of the Sheppey community.