
Our School Story:
Turning Point Leeds
Turning Point Leeds (TPL) is a brand-new Alternative Provision which supports students at risk of suspension or exclusion, those disengaged from mainstream education or those facing challenges transitioning between primary and secondary school. TPL can also support
schools with the six days of supervision after a permanent exclusion.
The setting prioritises relational and restorative practices, with a real focus on meeting each child's individual needs through a tailored and personalised approach. The overall aim is to be a Turning Point in their lives, guiding them toward success in their home schools.
The desire to support young people who were slipping through the cracks of mainstream education triggered the creation of TPL. Many students struggle with the traditional education system, and the staff behind TPL wanted to create a space that would allow them to thrive through personalised support, restorative practice, and close collaboration with their families and schools. The expectation is to create a positive and supportive environment where children can reconnect with learning and find success. TPL strives to build relationships that can transform young people’s academic and social experiences, making a significant difference in their lives by providing a tailored, restorative approach.
The setting offers a breakfast check-in each morning to help build relationships and ensure all members of TPL are settled and ready for the day ahead. This is done over a cup of hot chocolate and lashings of Nutella on toast! In the afternoons, students are engaged in enrichment activities such as boxing, cooking, arts and crafts, gardening, and P.E.
Since opening, they’ve focused on building strong, trusting relationships with students, and providing them with a structured yet flexible environment. The setting adopts a non-blame framework, with a restorative approach to incidents which encourages reflection through a
restorative meeting. Staff are trained to be emotionally available to students and help learners with coping strategies for managing stress and emotions. There is a designated calm area where pupils can go to relax and regroup when feeling overwhelmed. Through restorative practices, they have seen students begin to re-engage with their
education. Collaboration with schools and families has also been key, ensuring that students receive the consistent support they need both inside and outside of TPL.
It was easy to build connections with students who needed support and guidance, as many were eager for a fresh start. However, it has been challenging at times to maintain those connections consistently, as students come with various emotional, behavioural, and academic difficulties that require ongoing attention. TPL follows a trauma-informed
approach, with an understanding of the impact of attachment and trauma on behaviour and learning. A personalised approach for each student, which takes into account their emotional needs, past and current traumas and levels of engagement has been key.
Headteacher, Ryan Bradshaw offers some advice to others starting out: “Don’t underestimate the power of relationships in education. Taking the time to understand each student's unique situation, building trust, and showing them that you believe in their potential can be transformative. Collaboration with families and other educational professionals is essential to ensure a unified approach to supporting the child”.
The setting is currently at half capacity, working with young people across Leeds. The approach continues to evolve and adapt to the needs of students and schools. The early results are encouraging, and they are optimistic about continuing to grow and support even more students in the future. When The Adults Change is similarly optimistic and can’t wait to hear what comes next! Turning Point Leeds has achieved so much in such a short space of time and should feel rightly proud! We’re delighted to have them on board as a Partner School!
