GUIDING FUTURES BUILDING CONFIDENCE CREATING PATHWAYS

Welcome to Compass Learning, your trusted partner for alternative education, reintegration, and family support services in Greater Manchester. 

Compass Learning provides personalised education and support for young people who need a smaller, more relational approach to learning. Led by an experienced former Vice Principal and SENCO, we combine high expectations, strong safeguarding and meaningful qualifications to help learners rebuild confidence and succeed.

Our Supportive Pathways

At Compass Learning, we offer a range of personalised services designed to meet the unique needs of young people and their families. Explore our comprehensive support options below.

KS3 & KS4 Alternative Provision

A personalised, part-time provision, providing small-group learning, mentoring, statutory guidance informed personal development and support to rebuild engagement, confidence and readiness for next steps. 

Accredited Qualification pathways available for KS4, including Personal Development and Catering.

Compass Bridge for Reintegration

A flexible blend of centre-based learning and weekly in-school support, designed to help young people maintain their relationship and presence in their mainstream school, whilst gradually re-engaging with education.

Post-16 Next Steps

A tailored programme combining functional learning, employability, independence skills and focused support to help young people progress into further education, training or employment.

Accredited Qualification pathways available, including Personal Development and Catering.

SEND Assessment Package

A structured assessment and advisory package led by a qualified SENCo, helping schools and families identify needs, understand barriers and plan appropriate support and provision. This sits alongside an AP placement.

“Compass Learning transformed my child's approach to learning. Their patient and personalised support made all the difference.”

– A grateful parent, Stockport

Ready to discuss your needs?

Contact us today to discover how Compass Learning can provide dedicated support for your young person. We are here to help.

Frequently asked questions

Find answers to common questions about our services, referral process, and how we support young people and their families.

Who is Compass Learning for?

Compass supports young people in KS3, KS4 and post-16 who are finding mainstream education difficult due to barriers such as EBSA, SEMH needs, disengagement, attendance concerns or uncertainty about their next steps

Do you only work with schools?

No. We work alongside schools, parents, carers and local partners to create personalised support around each young person.

We also have a limited number of packages we can offer at a reduced price, for home educating parents that are choosing to directly commission and self-fund. Contact us for more information.

How can a young person be referred?

Schools, parents and carers can contact Compass directly to discuss needs, suitability and the most appropriate support package.

What does the core alternative provision offer include?

Students will access Compass three mornings per week. They will be taught English & Maths by specialist teachers (KS4 will be aligned to the specification the child is studying at their registered school), a Personal Development, including all aspects of the statutory RSE curriculum, a physical movement sessions led by specialist coaches, and skills for independence including cooking. 

Can Compass support pupils before they are at risk of exclusion or complete disengagement?

Yes. Our School Outreach Offer provides early intervention, mentoring and liaison to help young people reconnect with learning before difficulties escalate.

What does the SEND assessment include?

Our SEND Assessment Package is led by a qualified SENCo and helps schools and families identify needs, understand barriers, begin appropriate interventions and collaboratively plan appropriate support in tandem with their home school. The package also includes Educational Pscyhologist input. Schools and parents will receive a full written report, which would also provide valuable evidence to support an EHCP assessment request. 

What is the Post-16 Offer?

We offer placements for Post-16 students, to provide a "bridge" into further education, training or employment for those that are not yet quite ready to access a full time provision. This includes three afternoons per week. 

Our post-16 programme offers NOCN qualifications in Skills for Employment, Training and Personal Development, with a catering pathway built around food preparation, cooking, kitchen skills, food safety, healthy eating and employability. Learners can work towards Entry Level 3, Level 1 or Level 2 qualifications, depending on their starting point and progression goals.

Possible qualifications include:

  • NOCN Entry Level Certificate in Skills for Employment, Training and Personal Development
  • NOCN Level 1 Certificate in Skills for Employment, Training and Personal Development
  • NOCN Level 2 Certificate in Skills for Employment, Training and Personal Development
  • NOCN Level 1 Award in Exploring a Career in Hospitality and Catering
  • NOCN Level 1 Certificate in Introduction to the Hospitality Industry
  • NOCN Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering

Catering units may include basic food preparation and cooking, kitchen skills, healthy eating, making and storing baked products, food service, maintaining food safety standards and improving food preparation techniques.

Why is Compass different to other Alternative Provisions?

Compass is different because it is led by an experienced school leader and qualified SENCo, bringing a deep understanding of what happens before, during and after a young person disengages from mainstream education.

We understand the pressures schools face, the importance of safeguarding and attendance, and the need for support that is practical, evidence-informed and realistic to implement. Rather than offering education in isolation, Compass works closely with schools, families and young people to understand the underlying barriers, identify unmet SEND needs and create a joined-up plan for progress.

Our approach combines high expectations with genuine flexibility. We provide personalised learning, mentoring, family liaison and carefully planned pathways back into education, training or employment, so that each young person is supported as an individual rather than expected to fit a one-size-fits-all model.

Connect with Compass Learning

Stockport, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom

Operating hours

Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Call us

07854 833314

compasslearningandeducation@gmail.com

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