Alternative provision: curriculum requirements and examples

Alternative provision (AP) settings, including pupil referral units (PRUs), aren't required to follow the National Curriculum, but they do have to provide a good alternative curriculum. Find out what this includes, and see examples of curriculum offers from APs.

Last reviewed on 16 August 2024See updates
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Contents
  1. You don't need to teach the National Curriculum
  2. Provide a 'broad and balanced' curriculum
  3. See how AP settings approach their curriculum

You don't need to teach the National Curriculum

But, you should provide good alternative provision which:

  • Appropriately identifies and meets pupils' personal, social and academic needs
  • Enables them to achieve good academic attainment on par with their mainstream peers
  • Improves pupil motivation, self-confidence, attendance, and engagement with education
  • Provides clearly defined objectives, including the next steps following the alternative provision placement

Where an intervention is part-time or temporary, alternative provision should "complement and keep up with" the pupil's current curriculum, timetable and qualification route.

This is set out in paragraphs 30 and 38 of the DfE's statutory guidance on alternative provision

Provide a 'broad and balanced' curriculum

You should offer appropriate and challenging teaching in:

  • English
  • Maths
  • Science (including IT)

You must also provide relationships and health education (primary phase) or relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education (secondary phase). Read our article