The BUSY Group and Sporting Wallsend are launching a new alternative education model tailored for young people at risk of disengagement.
In September 2025, we launched our alternative education offer for learners in Key Stage 4 who are at risk of disengagement from mainstream schooling. Delivered jointly by The BUSY Group and Sporting Wallsend for two days a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays), the learning provision is based at the Sporting Wallsend site.
Our flexible and bespoke curriculum is rooted in vocational exploration and offers trauma-informed mentoring and support, drawing on The BUSY Group’s successful Australian model, The BUSY School.
Students will be able to work toward qualifications that open pathways to employment and undertake opportunities like the FA-accredited Playmaker Award which build directly on Wallsend’s proud sporting legacy.
The BUSY Group is dedicated to providing a holistic and inclusive education that addresses the diverse needs of young people. Our strategy encompasses a range of initiatives, from alternative provision to innovative educational projects designed to engage, support, and prepare students for their future. Our approach is rooted in a trauma-informed, therapeutic framework, ensuring all programmes under our umbrella align with our ethos and foster an inclusive culture.
Read more below to understand the foundations of our approach to re-engaging young people with their education.
Our alternative provision includes a strong focus on vocational approaches to education as a means to engaging young people. We offer a variety of vocational programmes that are designed to meet local employment needs and provide practical, hands-on learning experiences. This approach not only engages students in their education but also prepares them with the skills and qualifications needed for the workforce.
Every young person in our programme has an individualised learning plan (ILP). These plans are tailored to meet the unique needs, interests, and goals of each student.
By understanding and addressing the wider needs of the young person, we ensure that their education is relevant and supportive of their personal development and future aspirations.
We adopt a therapeutic approach to education, recognising that many young people in alternative provision have experienced trauma or face significant emotional and behavioural challenges.
Our model integrates therapeutic support within the educational framework, providing access to counselling, mental health support, and other therapeutic interventions.
Our educational environment is built on nurturing principles that prioritise the emotional and psychological well-being of our students.
We create safe, supportive spaces where young people can build trust, develop self-esteem, and feel valued. This nurturing approach is fundamental to helping students re-engage with their education and achieve their potential.
We believe that education does not stop at the school gates. Our alternative provision extends support into the communities and families of our students.
The BUSY Group work closely with families to ensure a supportive home environment and collaborate with local organisations to provide comprehensive support networks for our young people.
Our commitment to our students extends beyond their time in our programme. We provide ongoing support to ensure successful transitions to their next steps, whether that be further education or entering the workforce.
We aim to equip our students with the resilience, skills, and qualifications they need to thrive as valued, contributing members of their communities.
Our programmes are designed to be responsive to the local context, taking into account the specific needs and opportunities within the community. This ensures that our vocational training and educational support are relevant and beneficial to both our students and the wider community.
At The BUSY Group, we are dedicated to creating an inclusive, supportive, and effective alternative provision that empowers young people to overcome challenges and achieve their full potential. Our holistic approach ensures that each student receives the personalised support they need to succeed, both in school and beyond.
