Progress Schools calls on government officials to see things differently by walking in the shoes of some of the most vulnerable young people in society

Progress Schools, a national education provider delivering Alternative Provision (AP) across 13 sites in England has recently launched its trail-blazing internship programme called In My Shoes. The internship programme, which is aimed at the likes of MPs, Peers, Ministers, and Civil Servants, calls on them to spend just one day attending a Progress School in order to gain an in-depth insight into the challenges and potential of some of the most vulnerable young people in society.

Alternative Provision aims to provide appropriate provision for every child, ensuring that they receive the support and structure needed to engage with their education, regardless of social or economic background.

Progress Schools MD Charlotte Barton said;

“An ONS bulletin from November 2022 reported that a young person from a disadvantaged background is twice as likely to be long-term NEET compared to their better-off peers. And, as many of our sites are found in socially deprived areas, this is a massive challenge for us and the government. This is why I firmly believe that the In My Shoes programme is so vital, because only by listening can questions be asked, and only by understanding can positive change start to come about for our young people.”

The campaign, which officially launched in Westminster last week, has already received great support from a number of MPs who have a Progress School based in their constituency. Think-tank, The Centre for Social Justice, have also given their backing to the ground-breaking campaign.

During a visit to Parliament, leaders from Progress Schools met with cross party MPs to shine a light on the challenges facing students who attend Progress Schools, whilst highlighting the lasting positive impact alternative provision can have on their lives. But talking isn’t enough. Progress Schools wants to spearhead national action which sees Government recognise and appropriately invest in Alternative Provision, ultimately levelling up this educational playing field. By pledging just one day of their time to visit their local school and experience a typical day of a student, policy makers can have a profound, long-term positive impact on thousands of lives.

MPs who have already pledged their time by signing-up to the internship programme include James Grundy, MP for Leigh; John Stevenson MP for Carlisle; Jacob Young MP for Redcar; Nav Mishra MP for Stockport and Andy Carter, MP for Warrington South and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Alternative Provision.

Talking of the ground-breaking programme, Alice Wilcock from the Centre for Social Justice said:

“We have been working to help transform the way Alternative Provision is understood, evaluated, and improved, and the ‘In My Shoes’ campaign further supports that objective. It will provide an opportunity for Government officials to experience first-hand the difficulties faced by the vulnerable young people attending a Progress School.

“Only by shining a spotlight on this intervention, the challenges, and triumphs, can positive change really start to be brought about for the sector. Mental health, social deprivation and behavioural issues are challenges encountered on a day-to-day basis in the education system, but we often see that these issues are more prevalent in AP settings. That’s why this internship programme is so important, as it will seek to raise increase awareness and understanding, in order to be able to drive change in the sector.”

The pioneering programme will commence in February and run throughout England. During this time, government representations from cross party will be invited to pledge their time, and see things differently.

An ONS bulletin from November 2022 reported that a young person from a disadvantaged background is twice as likely to be long-term NEET compared to their better-off peers. As many of our Progress Schools are found in socially deprived areas, this is a massive challenge for us and the government.

Mental health, social deprivation and behavioural issues are challenges encountered on a day-to-day basis in the education system, but we often see that these issues are more prevalent in AP settings. This programme wants to shine a light on the challenges, barriers and potential of some of the most vulnerable young people in society.

Progress Schools wants to spearhead national action which sees Government recognise and appropriately invest in Alternative Provision, ultimately levelling up this educational playing field.

Think-tank, the Centre for Social Justice have endorsed this programme.

To date, five Government officials have pledged their support.