🌿 What Is The Wilderness?

The Wilderness is our Alternative Provision for children who need a different approach to learning.
Designed for young people who may struggle in mainstream settings, The Wilderness offers a calm, relationship-centred space where children can feel safe, grounded and understood.

We provide session-based learning with small groups, therapeutic support and nature-based experiences to help children rebuild confidence, regulate emotions and rediscover the joy of learning.

🌿 Who Is It For?

The Wilderness is suitable for children and young people who:

• Struggle to thrive in mainstream classrooms
• Need emotional regulation support
• Experience anxiety, trauma, SEMH difficulties or sensory overwhelm
• Are awaiting specialist placements
• Have an EHCP or are undergoing assessment
• Are at risk of exclusion or require short-term intervention
• Would benefit from a relational, nurturing environment

We accept referrals from:

• Schools
• Academies
• Local Authorities
• Families (self-referral, where appropriate)

🌳 Our Approach

The Wilderness is built around:

✔ Therapeutic & relational practice

Trusting relationships, emotional safety and consistency.

✔ Nature-based learning

Outdoor sessions, sensory exploration and grounding experiences.

✔ Small-group structure

Sessions are calm, predictable and tailored to each child’s needs.

✔ Regulation at the centre

Every session begins and ends with regulation to support emotional wellbeing.

✔ Personalised enrichment

Each child receives an Individual Enrichment Plan aligned with their needs and interests.

🌿 Session Structure (Timetable)

AM Session: 9:30–11:30
Lunch
PM Session: 12:30–2:30

Monday to Thursday 9:30am-2:30pm

Friday – closed to students

The Wilderness operates a session-based model in line with Alternative Provision expectations. It is not a full-time educational timetable.

🌿 What Children Access

Children attending The Wilderness benefit from:

• Regulation & welcome activities
• Therapeutic and restorative practice
• Pastoral support
• Small-group learning (max 5–7)
• Arts, sports, horticulture and curriculum support
• Sensory spaces & breakout areas
• Individual Enrichment Plans
• Nature-based experiences
• Educational and recreational visits

🌿 Expected Outcomes

Through The Wilderness, children develop:

• Improved emotional regulation
• Increased confidence and self-esteem
• Better engagement with learning
• Stronger communication and social skills
• Reduced anxiety
• Reconnection with education at a pace that suits them

We also support transitions back to school or into specialist placements.

🌿 How to Access The Wilderness

Schools, LAs and families can submit a referral via our Referrals & Commissioning page.

For more information or to discuss availability:

Please do not hesitate to CONTACT US