Our Mission and Values
Mission Statement
At Approach Learning, our mission is to provide a safe, supportive, and empowering environment where every young person can thrive. We take a holistic approach to education, combining academic excellence with personal growth, therapeutic support, and practical pathways for the future.
We are committed to:
- Delivering the National Curriculum core subjects English, Mathematics, Science (Biology in KS4 unless following refer curriculum), and PSHE/RSE (including British Values) – ensuring students develop strong literacy, numeracy, and subject knowledge in line with national expectations ensuring students gain both essential knowledge and real-world skills.
- Using comprehensive academic, social, emotional self assessments to develop personalised pathways that support the individual needs of each learner.
- Embedding trauma-informed and SEMH practice throughout our provision, creating a nurturing environment where behaviour is understood, and wellbeing is prioritised.
- Providing access to therapeutic interventions and mentoring, so pupils develop resilience, confidence, and emotional strength.
- Working in close partnership with families, referring agencies, and external agencies to ensure continuity and personalised support.
- Promoting British Values, SMSC, and inclusive practice, preparing pupils to become confident, responsible citizens.
Our aim is to empower every learner to succeed – academically, socially, and emotionally – so they leave us with the skills, qualifications, and self-belief to build positive futures.
Welcome from the Headteacher
Lana Wild
Welcome to Approach Learning
We are delighted to welcome you to Approach Learning and to the beginning of what we hope will be a positive and productive partnership focused on securing the best possible educational outcomes for your child.
At Approach Learning, we recognise that some young people require a different approach to education in order to thrive. Our role as an alternative education provider is to create individualised pathways that help students overcome barriers to learning and successfully reintegrate into mainstream secondary education. We pride ourselves on being flexible, responsive and student-centred, adapting our provision to meet the individual needs of every learner while working closely with schools, families and external agencies.
Approach Learning is an independent alternative education provider who support young people aged 11–16, particularly those experiencing social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) challenges or barriers to learning. Through a combination of academic, SEMH and SEN assessments, we take a holistic view of each student in order to understand their needs and design a personalised learning pathway.
With over 25 years of experience across mainstream secondary schools, pupil referral units and alternative provision settings, we have developed a deep understanding of the challenges some young people face within traditional educational environments. Approach Learning was created in response to these challenges and in collaboration with local education professionals who recognised the need for an education provider that places the individual child at the centre of learning.
Our provision focuses on breaking down barriers to education, rebuilding confidence and supporting students to re-engage with learning. We deliver teaching through individual and small group programmes, enabling us to provide targeted academic support alongside the development of social, emotional and personal skills.
We work closely with families, commissioning schools and relevant professionals to ensure that each placement is carefully planned and that the provision remains fully focused on the needs and progress of the student.
Our primary aim is to support students to successfully reintegrate into mainstream education wherever possible. However, where this is not the most appropriate pathway, we work with young people to ensure they are equipped with the skills, qualifications and confidence needed to move forward into the next stage of education, training or employment.
At Approach Learning, we believe every young person deserves the opportunity to succeed, and we are committed to helping each student rebuild confidence, rediscover their strengths and achieve positive outcomes for the future.