About us
Adventure in Learning is an alternative provision based at Newburn Activity Centre in Newcastle upon Tyne. We were established in January 2024 and work with pupils from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 4, including young people with SEMH needs, pupils with SEND with or without an EHCP, and those who have stopped attending or are at risk of exclusion.
Relationships come first. The day is built around regulation, with academic work in manageable blocks, small groups and a high staff to pupil ratio. Pupils study English, Maths and Science alongside history, geography, PSHE, financial literacy and citizenship. Outdoor and practical learning runs alongside the academic programme, using the climbing wall, cycle track, woodland and sports hall on site — rock climbing, forest school, cycling, football, falconry and team challenges, with trips through the year.
Pupils can work towards Sports Leaders Level 1 and 2 and AQA Unit Award Scheme units, and towards Functional Skills or GCSEs where that is the right route for them.
We work closely with home schools, local authorities and parents and carers so that each placement is planned around the individual young person, and we support transition on to mainstream, specialist provision, college, apprenticeships or employment.
Specialist tuition and intervention
Alongside our alternative provision, we offer specialist tuition and intervention from Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 4. This is delivered one to one or in small groups, in person or online, and covers English and Maths, Functional Skills, GCSE revision and SEND tuition. We also work with school-aged parents.
Tuition can take place at Newburn Activity Centre, in a pupil's home, or in an agreed community setting such as a library. Session length and frequency are agreed with the commissioner, and risk assessments are completed for any venue before tuition begins.
Impact, Outcomes and Key Performance Indicators
We track attendance daily and report it to the home school each morning. Academic progress is assessed regularly and reported in writing every week, with the report discussed with the young person. Confidence, resilience and communication are tracked through practical activities and staff observation. Every placement is reviewed with the commissioner each term.
How to access?
Adventure in Learning is at Newburn Activity Centre, Grange Road, Newburn, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE15 8ND. Pupils on an alternative provision placement attend on site in person. Tuition can be delivered on site, in the home, in an agreed community venue, or online.
Placements and tuition are commissioned by a school or local authority. There are separate referral forms for each at adventureinlearning.co.uk/make-a-referral and we respond within 48 hours. For alternative provision there is normally a visit and a trial day before a placement starts, and placements can often begin within days.
How we deliver
Our typical day starts at 9:30am and finishes at 2:20pm. Our morning lessons are primarily academic focused with the afternoons based around Sport/Outdoor Practical/Forest Hero.
Below is an example timetable based on a typical day:
- Lesson – 9.30am-10.10am
- Movement Break – 10.10am-10.15am
- Lesson – 10.15am-10.55am
- Break – 10.55am-11.15am
- Lesson – 11.15am-11.55am
- Movement Break – 11.55am-12pm
- Lesson 12pm-12.30pm
- Lunch – 12.30pm-1pm
- Sport/Practical/Forest Hero – 1pm-2.20pm
How we report attendance
We report attendance to the home school daily by 10:00am and contact the school immediately on a first day of absence. Registers are kept securely and are available on request to home schools and to parents and carers.
Our key contacts
- Day to day: Chris Rush (Director) - 07543351444
- Safeguarding: Scott Rutherford (Designated Safeguarding Lead) - 07809443076
- Deputy Safeguarding: Sunshine Douglas (Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead) - 07415317051