A Learning Place- ALP

12/06/2026

Last GCSE lesson ever! Last lesson as a year 11 learner. When she returns after her final exams, she will officially be post-16. So glad she's coming back!!!

10/06/2026

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing."
Edmund Burke

22/04/2026

A great new page on the I.P.S.E.A website with sections on children out of school due to illness/anxiety. And a specific section on Alternative Education. https://www.ipsea.org.uk/Pages/Category/children-out-of-school

If you are trying to get something in place for a young person (whether or not they have an EHCP), we recommend checking out these pages.

IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) - helping children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) get the education they are entitled to by law

10/03/2026

Does your child struggle with their mental health? Are they unable to cope with mainstream education? Check out A Learning Place- ALP, a wonderful part-time education centre in Waterbeach (CB25 9QZ). With high staff to student ratios, personalised learning and wellbeing dogs onsite all the time, your child is sure to find a place where they belong and thrive. www.alearningplace.co.uk

"Thank you so very much for every single one of your efforts with my daughter. I cannot begin to express the incredible impact you have had on her life and I am so very grateful to have found you, your skills, expertise and unique understanding of the situation, the system and how to support her."
www.alearningplace.co.uk

01/03/2026

School isn't for everyone. Our lovely learning centre is just outside Waterbeach (CB25 9QZ). www.alearningplace.co.uk

"Carry on doing the wonderful work you do. The young people will never know how lucky they are to have such a wonderful working environment. Thank you so much for everything you have done. My son would love to tell me about all the wonderful work and activities he did that day! You gave him the chance to get back to the person he was. He has thrived at ALP."

Get more website visits

21/02/2026

Celebrating our wonderful wellbeing dogs. Thanks guys- we couldn't do it without you!
www.alearningplace.co.uk

Our wellbeing dogs are probably the most important members of staff at A Learning Place (ALP). One of them is always on duty at our part-time Learning Centre. They say it's the best job in the world. Loads of cuddles, loads of fun- and they get to give emotional support to their human friends. They love seeing our learners flourish...

Please check out our website: www.alearningplace.co.uk

13/02/2026

When School Became Impossible: Lucy’s Journey to Hope*
www.alearningplace.co.uk

It started a few months into Year 9.

The Sunday night anxiety.
The last-minute morning meltdowns.
The tears.

By the end of the year, Lucy could no longer attend school at all. Her anxiety had become overwhelming — what is now increasingly recognised as emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA).

We asked for help.

What followed were attendance letters, pressure to get her back onsite, and long waits for support that didn’t meet her needs. Ten months after starting the EHCP process, we were still waiting for meaningful progress.

Lucy was at home. Anxious. Isolated. Losing confidence.

Then we made one of the hardest — and best — decisions of our lives.

We funded a few sessions a week at A Learning Place (ALP), a small alternative provision centre near Waterbeach. www.alearningplace.co.uk

The change was almost immediate.

Lucy began to smile again.
She made friends.
She had stories to tell at dinner.

Our home felt lighter.

With ALP’s nurturing environment, skilled staff and wellbeing dogs, Lucy slowly rebuilt her confidence. Education became possible again.

After several months — and with the support of brilliant advocacy charities — funding was finally secured and ALP became part of her agreed provision.

Where is she now?

Still at ALP part-time.
Flourishing academically and socially.
Feeling that she belongs.
Feeling successful.
Feeling confident.
On track to achieve six good GCSEs.

Self-funding was a big step, and not one we took lightly. But ALP offers reduced rates for families starting this way, and the advocacy support made all the difference.

The fight for the right provision took nearly two years.

If we hadn’t acted when we did, Lucy might still on a downward spiral. Instead, she is moving forward.

If you are parenting a child for whom school has become impossible — you are not alone. There are alternatives. There is hope.

Please visit www.alearningplace.co.uk to find out how we can help.

*Name and identifying details changed to protect Lucy’s identity.

09/02/2026

Not able to attend school? Need help with homeschooling? Our lovely part-time learning centre is just outside Waterbeach.
www.alearningplace.co.uk

"It's learning but in a much less stressful way. I've never liked school but this is just an amazing low anxiety way to learn and instead of being awake all night and crying on my way in like I did in mainstream I actually find myself enjoying it and being excited!"

Please visit www.alearningplace.co.uk to find out more.

06/02/2026

Struggling to attend school? Out of school altogether? Our lovely part-time learning centre is just outside Waterbeach. www.alearningplace.co.uk

"It's learning but in a much less stressful way. I've never liked school but this is just an amazing low anxiety way to learn and instead of being awake all night and crying on my way in like I did in mainstream I actually find myself enjoying it and being excited!"

Please contact Amy on [email protected] or visit www.alearningplace.co.uk to find out more.

01/12/2025

Thank you Miniature Donkeys for Wellbeing for your recent visit. It was a wonderful experience for both learners and staff!