Everything You 
Need to Know

A structured day helps students feel settled and ready to learn. We share start and finish times, break schedules, and how learning and enrichment are balanced so you know exactly how your child’s time is spent.

• Secondary School: 30 hours per week
• Primary School: 27.5 hours per week
• SMP Blended Learning Primary: 12.5 hours per week
• SMP Blended Learning Secondary: 25 hours per week
• Spring Tide: 13 hours face to face, plus online learning on a Wednesday
• Chalkhill Education Centre: 19.5 hours per week

• 8:00–8:30 – Meet & Greet
• 8:30–9:00 – Assembly/Tutor Time
• 9:00–9:45 – Lesson 1
• 9:45–10:30 – Lesson 2
• 10:30–10:45 – Break
• 10:45–11:30 – Lesson 3
• 11:30–12:15 – Lesson 4
• 12:15–12:45 – Lunch
• 12:45–13:30 – Lesson 5
• 13:30–14:15 – Lesson 6
• 14:15–14:30 – Reflection in Tutor Groups
• 14:30 – End of Day

• 8:45 - Arrive
• 9:00 - Registration & Breakfast
• 9:30 - Lesson 1&2
• 10:35 - Play
• 10:50 - Lesson 3&4
• 11:45 - Lunch
• 12:15 - Play
• 12:50 - Lesson 5&6
• 2:15 - End of Day & Taxis

We work with young people to set goals and take responsibility, without fear of being written off for mistakes. Our attendance and behaviour approach focuses on encouragement, clear expectations, and practical support to keep students in class and engaged.

We’ll never leave you in the dark. You’ll receive regular updates, invitations to review meetings, and quick responses to questions, because transparency builds trust.

We want every student to get the most out of their time at Sussex APC, and that means being in school whenever they’re well enough to attend. If your child is going to be absent for any reason, please let their centre know as soon as possible so we can record it correctly and provide any necessary support.

Absence will only be authorised if the reason is agreed with us, for example, where the situation is exceptional, unavoidable, or has genuine personal, social, or spiritual value. Holidays during term time are not permitted, and we can’t approve absences for shopping trips, family days out, or similar activities.

In cases of repeated or serious unauthorised absence, a Fixed Penalty Notice may be considered. However, we’ll always discuss this with you first to find a way forward together.

Our message is simple: when students are well, we want them here every one of the 190 school days each year. Consistent attendance helps build confidence, structure, and steady progress, giving every young person the best chance to succeed.

Breakfast Club
All Sussex APC centres offer a daily Breakfast Club, giving students a positive start to the day with time to settle in, enjoy something to eat, and prepare for learning. It’s a welcoming space that supports wellbeing, routine, and readiness to learn from the moment students arrive.

Lunch Time
Mealtimes are part of learning at Sussex APC. Many of our centres run a Cook and Eat Programme, where students are involved in planning, preparing, cooking, and serving meals. This not only supports healthy eating but also builds life skills, teamwork, and confidence. Students and staff eat together to encourage social interaction and strengthen relationships.

Free School Meals
Some families are entitled to Free School Meals, and applying means your child receives the support they deserve. It also provides additional funding (Pupil Premium) to help us improve learning opportunities across the college.

We are committed to meeting the needs of all students, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

• Responsible Lead: Colm Gallagher
• SENDCo: Frankie Myers – SEND@wsapc.co.uk

We work in partnership with parents, carers, and professionals to make sure every student has the right support in place. Full details can be found in our SEND Parent Involvement Policy, SEN Information Report, and SEND Policy.

For the latest term dates, including holidays and inset days, please visit our News & Updates page.

We set high expectations for our students, and that includes wearing the correct uniform. Uniform helps create a sense of pride, consistency, and readiness for learning. It also ensures students are prepared to return to mainstream school, where uniform is the norm.

For singly registered Sussex APC students, branded uniform is required.

Sussex APC Uniform:

• Black trousers, skirt, or shorts
• Sussex APC navy sweatshirt
• Sussex APC navy polo shirt
• Black trainers, school shoes, or plimsolls

We encourage KS3 and KS4 students to travel independently where possible, usually by public transport. For those who live more than three miles from their nearest centre, transport is provided under West Sussex County Council's Home to School Transport Policy.

Depending on individual circumstances, support may include bus and train passes (for students, or for parents escorting primary pupils), taxi transport in limited cases, bike scheme vouchers for students living 3–5 miles away, or parental transport allowances (25p per mile, where eligible).

At Sussex APC, safeguarding is not just a duty, it’s a foundation. Every young person has the right to feel safe, respected, and supported, and we take this responsibility seriously.

We are particularly well placed to notice outward signs of concern, changes in behaviour, or signs of a student struggling, thanks to our daily contact with young people. While we are not an investigative agency, we act quickly and responsibly whenever concerns are raised.

All staff and volunteers undergo safe recruitment checks, and every member of our team receives safeguarding training through induction and ongoing professional development. We follow the safeguarding guidance set out by the Local Safeguarding Children Boards of Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, and West Sussex.

Our commitment is supported by clear policies and procedures, which are regularly reviewed and accessible to families, carers, and professionals.

Key Policies and Documents:

• Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy – Sept 2023
• Data Protection Policy – July 2023
• Government guidance on keeping children safe in education
• Privacy Notice for Pupils – Aug 2023
• Safeguarding Handbook – 2023
• WSAPC DBS Confirmation – June 2025
• AP Risk Assessment – Sept 2024

The APC Curriculum Access Team (CAT) supports children and young people in mainstream schools who are finding education challenging or at risk of exclusion. The team helps students re-engage with learning, refocus on their strengths, and reintegrate into school life with confidence. 

Working alongside schools, CAT provides flexible, intervention-led support that bridges the gap between need and provision, helping every child stay, belong, and succeed. Interventions include one-to-one mentoring, small group work, and targeted programmes focused on behaviour management, emotional regulation, and life skills. 

CAT also supports areas such as SEND, mental health, youth crime prevention, and wellbeing, offering initiatives like boxing for confidence, psychological support, and tailored curriculum pathways. Collaborating closely with school staff, families, and professionals, CAT builds capacity within schools, promotes inclusion, and creates stronger, more supportive learning communities where young people can thrive.

Sussex APC operates across a network of specialist centres, each providing safe, structured environments for learning and growth.

Our sites include:

• APC Burgess Hill
• APC Chichester
• APC Crawley
• APC Lancing
• APC Littlehampton
• APC Worthing
• APC Brighton & Hove
• APC Haywards Heath
• Blended Learning Team

Each site has its own focus and strengths, but all share the same purpose: to help young people Reengage, Refocus, and Reintegrate.

All admissions to Sussex APC are managed through West Sussex County Council. Students are placed with us when mainstream schooling is not suitable, whether due to permanent exclusion, risk of exclusion, or medical reasons.

If you require further information about admissions, please email us at: hcentral@wsapc.co.uk

APC Sussex is the commissioned Alternative Provision provider for West Sussex County Council, delivering education and specialist intervention for children and young people who are unable to access mainstream education.

We are commissioned to provide education for:

• Pupils at risk of permanent exclusion, through early intervention and preventative support.
• Pupils who have been permanently excluded from school, providing high-quality Alternative Provision focused on engagement, achievement and successful reintegration wherever appropriate.
• Children and young people who are unable to attend school due to medical or mental health needs, ensuring they continue to access education whilst receiving treatment or recovering from illness.

As the county's commissioned provider, we work in partnership with schools, families, health services and West Sussex County Council to deliver personalised education, remove barriers to learning and support every young person to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Sussex APC is part of a bigger network. Our partnerships with schools, local authorities, health providers, and community organisations mean every young person benefits from a joined-up approach.

Clear policies underpin strong practice. Our safeguarding, SEND, and inclusion policies are open to all, so you can see exactly how we operate and hold us to account.

These reports show how we're investing in student development and preparing young people for their next steps. From targeted support through Pupil Premium to physical education, every resource is focused on creating better outcomes.

• Pupil Premium Policy
• Reporting PE and Sports Premium – Categories of Grant Spending‍
• Reporting PE and Sports Premium – Funding Allocation
• Reporting PE and Sports Premium – Opportunities, Impacts & Sustainability Details
• Reporting PE and Sports Premium – School's Declarations
• Reporting PE and Sports Premium – School's Specifics

Under the School Information (England) Regulations 2020, all maintained schools are required to publish a link to the Government’s financial benchmarking service. This tool allows parents, carers, and the wider community to see how our spending compares with other schools across the country.

You can view the dedicated financial benchmarking page for Sussex Alternative Provision College here: View on GOV.UK

Sussex APC Employees with Salaries Over £100,000: As part of our commitment to transparency, we publish details of employees earning over £100,000 per year. £110,000 – £120,000: 1 employee

At Sussex APC, transparency and accountability are central to everything we do. Our Letter of Assurance outlines our ongoing commitment to safeguarding, quality of provision, and full compliance with statutory responsibilities. 

Alongside this, our Alternative Provision (AP) Risk Assessment reinforces these principles by ensuring that all areas of practice are continuously reviewed and strengthened to maintain the highest standards of safety and care. 

Together, these documents provide assurance to families, schools, and professional partners that our systems are robust, our governance is strong, and our focus remains on delivering safe, effective, and purposeful education for every student.

APC Online, in partnership with TUTE Education, provides live, interactive lessons led by qualified teachers. Each pupil receives an initial consultation to assess their needs and level of risk, supported by experienced SEND and behaviour specialists.

This flexible provision is designed for pupils who cannot currently access mainstream education in the traditional way, whether due to medical conditions, declining attendance, emerging mental health needs, or risk of exclusion. It also supports those awaiting alternative placements or affected by external factors such as youth violence or SEND-related challenges.

Lessons are timetabled and aligned with the National Curriculum, covering core subjects such as English, Maths, Science, History, and Geography, along with enrichment options including Online Safety, Mental Health and Wellbeing, and SMSC. With flexible enrolment and scheduling options, APC Online ensures that pupils stay connected to learning within a registered and supportive provision.

Your safety comes first. We take safeguarding seriously and make sure you know exactly what it means, why it matters, and how we protect you. Safeguarding queries or concerns should be sent to dsl@wsapc.co.uk.

If you'd rather raise something confidentially, you can use SHARP (Student Help Advice Reporting Page). It lets you, your parents or carers, or even people in the community log a concern confidentially, so worries don't stay hidden and support can be put in place quickly.

Starting somewhere new can feel a bit nerve-wracking, but we want you to know what to expect. Every Sussex APC centre is built to feel safe, welcoming, and structured so you can get back into learning in a way that works for you.

Some of our centres are bigger, some are smaller, but wherever you go, you’ll find classrooms where staff know you, spaces where you can build confidence, and chances to try out new things. Most importantly, you’ll be supported by adults who believe in you and want to see you succeed.

At Sussex APC, your voice matters. The School Council is your chance to share ideas, raise concerns, and have a real say in how your school is run.

Students from each centre meet regularly with staff to talk about what’s working, what could be better, and what would make school life more positive. It’s about teamwork, leadership, and making sure student views are always part of the conversation.

If you’d like to get involved, speak to your Head of School or key staff member to find out more.

Your safety and wellbeing always come first. We want every student to feel safe, respected, and supported whether you’re in school, at home, or online.

If something is worrying you, you don’t have to deal with it on your own. Our safeguarding team is here to listen, take you seriously, and help you find a way forward. You’ll always see posters and information in your centre so you know exactly who your safeguarding leads are and how to contact them.

Staying safe online is just as important as staying safe in school. From social media and gaming to group chats, we’ll help you understand the risks, make good choices, and know what to do if something doesn’t feel right. You’ll learn how to protect yourself, build healthy online habits, and get the support you need if you ever feel unsafe.

For the latest term dates, including holidays and INSET days, please visit our News & Updates page.

Whether you’re dealing with stress, anxiety, or something bigger, we can connect you with the right support, both in school and through trusted external services. Please come and speak to us if you need further support.