Key Points
- A new part-time alternative provision programme launched in Havering in September 2025 to support primary-aged pupils showing early signs of disengagement.
- The programme runs eight to twelve-week placements for small groups of 10 Key Stage 2 pupils (ages 7–11).
- Pupils remain enrolled in mainstream schools but spend two days per week at OA-Havering, a supportive, therapeutic educational environment.
- The initiative targets pupils facing issues such as persistent absence, rising anxiety, or difficulties with regulation.
- The programme is a partnership between Olive Academies and the London Borough of Havering (LBH).
- It follows the Department of Education’s three-tier framework for alternative provision, focusing on time-limited, specialist support.
- Tony Machin, Executive Headteacher at OA-Havering, emphasises the early intervention approach to overcoming barriers and rebuilding confidence.
- Councillor Oscar Ford, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at LBH, highlights the borough’s commitment to early identification and support, praising Olive Academies’ national-level expertise.
- The programme operates as a collaborative model with mainstream schools, ensuring tailored support for individual pupils.
What is the new programme in Havering designed to do?
As reported by The Havering Daily on 17 September 2025, a new part-time alternative provision programme, developed in partnership between Olive Academies and the London Borough of Havering (LBH), aims to help primary-aged pupils across the borough re-engage with their education. The initiative is focused on pupils in Key Stage 2, aged 7 to 11 years, who are showing early signs of disengagement from school, including persistent absence, rising anxiety, or difficulties with regulation.
The programme provides an eight to twelve-week placement for small groups of around 10 pupils, who continue attending their mainstream school but spend two days a week at OA-Havering. Here, they are given a safe, supportive, and therapeutic environment tailored to rebuild their confidence and support their learning journey.
How does the programme work with mainstream schools?
Tony Machin, Executive Headteacher at OA-Havering, emphasises the importance of partnership working. He said, “This provision is a true example of partnership working between Olive Academies and the London Borough of Havering. By intervening early, we can give pupils the extra support they need to overcome barriers, build confidence and successfully re-engage with their learning. Our shared focus is on ensuring every pupil has the opportunity to thrive and develop the skills they need for the next stage of their learning journey.”
The programme’s model ensures close collaboration with the pupils’ mainstream schools, allowing for well-targeted and individualized support. Each placement is carefully designed to equip pupils with the resilience and skills necessary to thrive academically and socially.
What framework does the programme follow?
The initiative follows the Department of Education’s three-tier framework for alternative provision, which emphasises time-limited, specialist support for pupils. This framework is aligned with national guidance on supporting pupils who struggle to remain engaged in standard school settings due to a range of complex needs.
By providing small-group placements in an alternative but closely linked setting, the programme offers early intervention that addresses underlying issues such as anxiety or behavioural challenges before these problems escalate.
Who supports and endorses the initiative?
Councillor Oscar Ford, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at London Borough of Havering, highlighted the importance of the partnership and the borough’s commitment to early support. He said, “Olive Academies’ expertise means they are driving improvements in Alternative Provision at a National Level, and so we are delighted to be collaborating on this new initiative to support Havering children.
“It demonstrates the borough’s wider commitment to identifying and supporting children at an early stage, helping them to stay in school and to thrive in the areas they need it most.”
These statements reflect a strong collaborative spirit between local government and educational providers to improve outcomes for vulnerable pupils.
What other educational developments are happening in Havering?
Alongside this innovative alternative provision, Havering Council has been investing significantly in school and early years infrastructure. As detailed in previous reports, including one from January 2025, the council is progressing a £66 million investment programme aimed at expanding school places across the borough to meet rising demand across Early Years, Primary, Secondary, and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) pupils.
New free primary schools are planned to open in Beam Park and Bridge Close, and additional funding is directed towards SEND support units. This broader investment frames the new programme within a context of systemic enhancement of educational provision in Havering.
Why is early intervention important in education?
Early intervention in education is crucial to preventing longer-term disengagement and educational failure. The Havering programme embodies this principle by aiming to identify pupils showing early signs of difficulties before they become entrenched.
Tony Machin explained that early intervention helps children “overcome barriers, build confidence and successfully re-engage with their learning.” This approach not only benefits the individual pupils but also supports mainstream schools by reducing disruptions and improving overall educational outcomes.
How does the programme fit within Havering’s broader SEND and education strategy?
Havering’s SEND and Alternative Provision Strategy, agreed by its Cabinet in September 2024, sets out the borough’s vision and priorities for improving the lives of children with special educational needs and other additional support needs until 2028. The strategy includes a focus on early identification and providing the right support in the right place.
The new alternative provision model aligns with this strategy by offering targeted, time-limited support within a specialist environment while maintaining integration with mainstream schooling.
How can the community stay informed about local educational initiatives?
The Havering Daily encourages residents to follow their social media accounts and subscribe to community pages for the latest updates on educational and other local developments. These channels disseminate timely and relevant community news designed to keep families and stakeholders informed.
