Alternative Provision Resources

This collection of resources has been developed to support practitioners, schools, School Games Organisers (SGOs), and Active Partnerships in enhancing the quality, accessibility, and impact of physical education (PE) and sport within Alternative Provision (AP) settings.

Whether you are delivering directly to young people, supporting staff development, or shaping strategic planning, these tools aim to equip you with practical guidance, evidence-informed approaches, and examples of effective practice tailored to the unique context of AP environments.

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The Alternative Provision toolkit

This toolkit positions PE and sport not just as physical activities, but as powerful tools to support mental health, social skills, and a sense of belonging for pupils in Alternative Provision (AP).

It supports Active Partnerships and School Games Organisers to think differently, act with empathy, and collaborate closely with staff and pupils to create offers that meet the needs of each unique setting.

The toolkit provides:

A six-step framework to build meaningful, inclusive, and sustainable relationships with AP settings
Practical advice and real-life insight from young people and educators
Data, research links and helpful resources.

Designed to be flexible and accessible, the toolkit helps you start small, learn together, and grow your reach - ensuring more young people in AP benefit from the positive impact of physical activity.

Benefits

For Active Partnerships and SGOs:

Offers a clear, six-step approach to build a locally tailored and inclusive School Games offer for APs.
Helps SGOs navigate unfamiliar settings and better understand the AP landscape
Builds a case for inclusion and helps integrate AP into wider county-level planning and reporting
Encourages collaboration through county-wide reflections, case studies, and co-design.

For Alternative Provision schools:

Ensures the offer reflects their pupils’ needs, especially those with SEMH, SEND, or exclusion histories
Opens conversations about CPD, outdoor space limitations, and resource needs
Creates opportunities to be part of a wider system through School Games Marks, partnerships, and grants.

For pupils in Alternative Provision:

Sport becomes a tool for connection, confidence, and belonging
Activities support emotional regulation, resilience, and social skill development
Youth voice and co-design elements give pupils ownership and visibility in shaping what works for them.

Alternative Provision videos

This video series, developed by the Youth Sport Trust in partnership with expert researchers, schools and National Governing Bodies, explores the power of sport in Alternative Provision (AP) settings.

Through animation, expert insight, and real-world case studies, these videos are designed to support educators, practitioners, and policymakers in understanding and enhancing sport’s role in engaging young people in AP. The series forms part of a wider commitment to improving PE and Sport in Alternative Provision Settings.

Evidence of impact

This collection of research explores the role and impact of physical education (PE) and sport in Alternative Provision (AP) settings.

Together, the papers highlight how PE and sport can support engagement, wellbeing, and inclusion for young people in AP, while also examining the structural and practical challenges that shape provision.

The research offers important insights for practitioners, policymakers, and stakeholders working to improve opportunities for pupils in non-mainstream education.

If you would like to submit a case study which further evidences the impact of work within Alternative Provision schools, please contact Katie Phillips.

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