Admissions

Bridge Academy, part of the Stephenson (MK) Trust, provides alternative education for pupils aged 4-19 in Milton Keynes who cannot attend mainstream education.

The Academy works in close partnership with Milton Keynes Council as part of the Milton Keynes Inclusion Partnership (MKIP). The Local Authority commissions alternative provision through Bridge Academy in consultation with the Schools Forum to provide education for statutory school age young people living in Milton Keynes.

The Local Authority plays a key role in the Alternative Education Panel meetings, with senior representatives attending to help make placement decisions. For permanently excluded pupils, Bridge Academy coordinates with the Local Authority, which must be informed of any permanent exclusion as soon as possible.

The academy admits pupils through three main routes:

• Monthly Alternative Education Panel (AEP)
• Emergency Placements for one-off serious incidents
• Permanent exclusion referrals

Pupils are typically dual registered between their mainstream school and Bridge Academy, with the exception of permanently excluded pupils or those new to the area who were previously in alternative education. Bridge Academy operates from two sites - Manor Road (supporting post-16, primary, and medical provision) and Coffee Hall (supporting KS3 and KS4) - with 240 commissioned places plus 40 post-16 places.

All referrals to Bridge Academy undergo a rigorous moderation process to ensure appropriate placement decisions. The monthly Alternative Education Panel (AEP) comprises senior representatives from the Local Authority, mainstream Secondary Schools in Milton Keynes and is chaired by the MK Inclusion Partnership Officer who is also the CEO of Stephenson MK Trust.

For medical placements (Bridge West), referrals must include a completed section from an appropriate specialist medical professional (not a GP) without which the application will not be considered.

Emergency placement requests undergo additional scrutiny, with secondary school requests now being reviewed by a panel of headteachers to ensure more rigorous, moderated decision-making. This panel process, piloted in summer 2024/25, ensures placements are well-planned and meet appropriate thresholds.

Throughout a placement, referring schools must conduct half-termly 'eyes on checks' of their pupils and maintain responsibility for their safeguarding. The collaborative approach between Bridge Academy and referring schools ensures pupils receive appropriate education tailored to their needs while maintaining connections to their original school community, with the aim of either reintegrating pupils into mainstream education or preparing them for further education, training, or employment.

The academy provides a curriculum focused on English, Maths and personal development, alongside other subjects, with the aim of either reintegrating pupils into mainstream education or preparing them for further education, training, or employment.

For pupils returning to mainstream education, Bridge Academy provides evidence of their readiness at an AEP meeting and offers individualized support during the six-week dual registration transition period. Throughout a placement, referring schools must conduct half-termly checks on their pupils and maintain responsibility for their safeguarding. This collaborative approach ensures pupils receive appropriate education tailored to their needs while maintaining connections to their original school community.

Bridge Academy ensures that arrangements are in place for the Local Authority to fulfill its statutory obligations regarding alternative provision. This includes supporting the Fair Access protocol which is reviewed through the Partnership annually, and the managed move protocol to help students who would benefit from a change of educational establishment.

The MKIP Review Group, which includes representatives from Milton Keynes Council (including Children's Social Care and Health), provides oversight of the Partnership's working. This collaborative approach ensures that resources are used effectively to support the most vulnerable pupils and that all partners work together to improve outcomes for children with challenging behaviours.