A Learning Place

What to expect

The Waterbeach Centre offers part-time placements (3-5 half days per week) for young people in school years 7 and upwards who are not able to attend mainstream education. This can be for a variety of reasons including Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA); challenging behaviour; Special Educational Needs (SEN) including neurodivergence; anxiety and depression; or because English is not their first language.

Staff comprises qualified and experienced English, Maths, Science and ESOL teachers, skilled Learning Support Assistants and tutors, plus gentle wellbeing dogs. A Learning Place provides a supportive environment where learners achieve academically, grow in confidence and make friends.

Learners can be supported at various levels - including working towards GCSE exams. As well as academic subjects, learners also participate in a variety of enrichment activities and can work towards awards in areas such as Hairdressing, Photography or Art.

Here is a typical morning session:

9.30am - arrival
9.45am - lesson 1
10.30am - break
10.40am - lesson 2
11.25am - break
11.35am - enrichment
12.00noon - end of morning and pick up.

More information

A Learning Place is not a school and does not provide full-time education; it is a part-time Alternative Education provider. Learners are either electively home educated or on roll at a local state school that retains all safeguarding and other statutory responsibilities. Placements should always be part of a package of full time education.

All staff and volunteers are Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checked.

If you would like to see A Learning Place's safeguarding policy and procedures, they are available on request via email.

Free taster sessions are offered so you can experience A Learning Place for yourself.

Learner places can be funded by their school, Cambridgeshire County Council or privately by parents/guardians.