On Tuesday 16th September, we’re inviting Heads, Special Needs Coordinators (SENCO) Leads, local referrers and other community stakeholders to join us on site to explore our new alternative education provision.
It’s a partnership between The BUSY Group and Sporting Wallsend (part of the world famous Wallsend Boys Club organisation) that delivers a trauma-informed, vocationally focused approach for the North East bringing together the best of education, sport and wellbeing by drawing on the robust evidence base from BUSY’s flourishing Australian and New Zealand schools.
The steadily rising number of exclusions and disengagement from mainstream schooling is creating a growing challenge for the education sector in our region.
- In the last year alone, the number of pupils in the UK being educated away from mainstream schools has risen by over 20 percent and now stands at more than 15,000.
- The rate of suspensions in North East secondary schools is three times higher than the national rate of suspensions, and our permanent exclusion rate in the region is over three times that of London and the South East.
- Those exclusions are fuelling the rise in young people aged 16-24 not in employment, education or training (NEET), with the most recent data showing the North East has the highest number of NEETs in the country at 17.2%, a rate that’s risen by 5% in the last year alone.
These trends have led to a widespread recognition that alternative education needs to evolve to meet the challenge. And that’s exactly what The BUSY Group and Sporting Wallsend are launching.
The Open Day on 16th September will provide potential Heads, SEND Leads and potential referrers with an overview of the new programme being launched, designed to transform young people’s lives by re-engaging them with learning and equipping them to build brighter futures for themselves.
The event will include:
- The official opening of The BUSY School Wallsend.
- Introductions to the teams who form our unique education partnership — BUSY, Sporting Wallsend, Family Gateway, Power Through Sport and Health2Employment (H2E).
- A tour of the new learning environment.
- A conversation about what’s needed in the North East to assist young people at Key Stage 4 who are struggling to realise their potential in mainstream education.
We’re also keen to welcome others with an interest in our offer to the Open Day. If you’re an educator, a family member, a community partner, a local politician or a local employer keen to make a difference and give a young person a chance to succeed – here’s your chance to meet us, hear about our vision, see the space, and learn how to get involved.
Put the date in your diary for a day dedicated to possibility:
WHEN: Tuesday 16th September – 3pm-5pm
WHERE: Peter Olsen Community Hub, Wallsend Boys Club, Kirkley Park Wallsend NE28 8SX United Kingdom
This special event will showcase how sport and education can work hand-in-hand to re-engage learners, build brighter futures, and strengthen our community. Whether you’re a parent, educator, community leader, or simply passionate about creating positive change, you’ll be part of something inspiring.
Register your interest now: RSVP TODAY
If you would like further information regarding the partnership, email BUSYSchoolWallsend@thebusygroup.org.uk