Teaching on the Margins: Reframing Alternative Provision as a Site of Engagement and Equity

Description

Alternative provision (AP) supports young people aged 11–16 excluded from
mainstream education, but the sector remains under-theorised and inconsistently resourced despite serving learners facing significant educational and social disadvantages (DfE, 2023; Ofsted, 2021). This study develops a pedagogical framework based on practitioner experience in both in-person and digital settings. Through qualitative interviews with AP staff, it identifies strategies to boost engagement, re-engagement, and attainment. The research addresses structural educational inequality and promotes scalable practices for marginalised learners, aligning with global aims for inclusive education and social equity (UNESCO, 2020). By translating practitioner insights into transferable concepts, it offers evidence basis for improving policy, practice, and institutional design in alternative education. The study explores pedagogical practices for pupils aged 11–16 in AP, a key site for tackling educational inequality, focusing on barriers to engagement and innovative teaching strategies. Its societal importance lies in enhancing educational equity for marginalised learners, guiding a pedagogical framework rooted in practitioner experience. The findings aim to inform educators, policymakers, and practitioners in creating more inclusive, responsive educational environments.

Period	16 Jun 2026
Event title	2026 Higher Education Learning and Teaching Conference
Event type	Conference
Location	Ormskirk, United KingdomShow on map
Degree of Recognition	National