Alternative Provision

At Kinda Education, we embrace a trauma-informed, low-arousal, and non-judgemental approach to support each individual in feeling safe, building confidence, and developing self-esteem. By nurturing a sense of belonging through a culture of community, kindness, awareness, and care, we gently guide children and young people to discover their unique place within nature and the community.

Who We Support

Our Alternative Provision serves children and young people aged 5-16 who need a tailored, supportive approach, including those:

  • Struggling with mental health challenges or anxiety

  • With special educational needs or disabilities (SEND)

  • At risk of exclusion or disengagement from mainstream education

Link to Safeguarding, health and safety & policies Policies and procedures

Why Choose Kinda Education?

  • Proven Methods: Our trauma-informed approach leads to measurable growth in confidence, emotional regulation, and engagement.

  • Highly Skilled Team: A diverse, reflective, and experienced group of practitioners.

  • Integrated Support: We collaborate on EHCP proposals and reviews, attend professional meetings, and liaise with external agencies to create a holistic team around the child.

  • Ofsted-Registered Early Years Provision: Our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provision is Ofsted registered, ensuring high standards of care, safety, and early education for our youngest learners.

Term Dates
Referral request form

What We Offer

As trust and belonging grow, children gain confidence in social engagement and begin self-initiated projects. These might include:

  • Treehouse building

  • Campfire cooking

  • Gardening

  • Woodland conservation

  • Green woodworking

  • Art and storytelling

  • Community games

Each day, breakfast and hot lunch are cooked on the campfire by our ‘Hearth Keeper,’ who involves children in healthy eating and cooking activities.

Our dedicated team provides a family-like atmosphere, with Nature Mentors offering personalised, one-to-one support focused on emotional and social needs, and Play Catalysts fostering community play to support social growth and relationship-building.

Our Approach

We follow a structured process to ensure every child receives the support they need:

  • Trust Indicators: Observing patterns of behaviour and using tools based on the Polyvagal theory to track social engagement and regulation.

  • PEPSC Framework: Monitoring holistic growth across Personal, Emotional, Practical, Social, and Community domains.

  • Dynamic Support Plans: Developed collaboratively with families, referrers, and the child, and reviewed regularly.

A Nature Mentor is carefully selected for each child based on their individual needs and personality. Children can attend one to three small-group sessions weekly, with opportunities to transition into larger groups when ready.

kindaeducation- information for Children and families

A Message from a parent:

My year six son's behaviour in his specialist school setting had spiralled out of control, he was so angry and in a constant state of fight or flight and at risk of permanent exclusion. Kinda Education and his nature mentor have changed his life and got him onto such a positive path. His self esteem and confidence have grown so much, he is so happy and comfortable with who he is and if things go wrong or the unexpected happens he now not only copes he can brush it off and smile. He has told me that when he is at Kinda he feels safe, heard and understood and he just has so much fun! Kinda Education has given my son tools for life that enable him to be happier, calmer, feel content and more at ease in the world. It is the best place ever and I am so grateful for his time there:) 

A very grateful parent