Kickstarting 2025: New Year, New Opportunities!

Chances - The Alternative Provision That Works

As we step into 2025, we are thrilled to welcome our students back to Chances School. After a well-deserved break, it's time for new beginnings, fresh opportunities, and the excitement of what lies ahead. Whether you're returning to continue your academic journey or joining us for the first time, we are here to support you in every way possible.

At Chances, we believe in the potential of every student. We understand that each person’s journey is unique, and we're committed to empowering everyone to reach their full potential. This year promises growth, learning, and exciting challenges—and we're here to help you navigate them.

Our Mission: Early Intervention and Smooth Reintegration

At Chances, our main aim is to work with students and help them transition back into mainstream education as quickly and successfully as possible. We focus purely on early intervention, stepping in at the earliest stage to provide the support each student needs. This proactive approach is key to addressing challenges before they escalate, ensuring our students can continue their educational journey without disruption.

Our curriculum is designed to mirror the learning and experiences provided by mainstream schools. This way, students' time with us feels as close to their regular school environment as possible, minimising the need for a lengthy period of readjustment when they return. We want them to feel confident and prepared to reintegrate smoothly, with all the skills and support they need to thrive.

National Context:

The need for early intervention has never been clearer. High exclusion rates are closely linked to poor educational outcomes, increased vulnerability, and a greater risk of exploitation and criminal behaviour. At Chances, we are focused on identifying challenges early on and providing the support necessary to reduce these risks and empower students for success.

Local Context:

In Devon, exclusion rates continue to be a concern—especially for disadvantaged students and those with special educational needs (SEN). Chances School is working to address these issues by providing early intervention to prevent students from falling through the cracks and escalating into school refusal or exclusion. Early support can transform their educational experience, ensuring that issues don't become entrenched.

The Impact of Delayed Intervention:

Rising Anxiety & Mental Health Concerns: A growing number of young people are experiencing mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression. A lack of early intervention exacerbates these issues, leading to disengagement and missed learning opportunities. National surveys show that 1 in 5 young people report high levels of anxiety, highlighting the need for timely support.
School Refusers & Attendance Issues: Persistent attendance issues often spiral into school refusal, negatively impacting a student's learning and social development. These challenges are often tied to underlying emotional, mental health, or academic struggles that can be addressed with early intervention.
Increased Risk of Exclusion: Students with Special Educational Needs and/or Social, Emotional, Mental Health (SEMH) challenges are at higher risk of exclusion. When students are excluded, they often face social isolation, instability, and are more vulnerable to negative behaviours. Timely, tailored support is key to addressing these risks and keeping students engaged in education.

Chances Impact: Our Commitment to Early Intervention & Student Success

We are proud of the progress our students make, thanks to our proactive, tailored approach.

Attendance: Before joining Chances, students’ attendance at mainstream schools was, on average, only 59.23%. Through our unique and supportive approach, that figure increases significantly to 81.88%—a clear sign of how early intervention can change lives.
Reintegration Success: 83% of our students are successfully reintegrated into mainstream schools, helping them avoid exclusion, reducing vulnerability, and decreasing the risk of exploitation.

As we embark on 2025, we are excited about the continued growth and success of our students. We remain dedicated to providing a safe, nurturing environment where all students can thrive, learn, and build the skills they need to succeed in life.

Get Involved: Visit Us or Reach Out!

We encourage school leaders, community members, and interested parties to get involved and learn more about our approach. Chances School is open to visits for those who would like to witness firsthand how we support our students and help them thrive.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about how we work, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Gary Hayes
Headteacher
Email: gary.hayes@spacepsm.org
Telephone: 01626 864412

Together, let’s make 2025 a year of growth, learning, and success!

January Newsletter 2025