Who are SENse?
We’re on a mission to ensure no child is left behind. We provide bespoke, unique and innovative learning packages to children and young people with additional needs who are out of school or struggling to attend.
SENse Learning is an alternative provision providing holistic educational packages for children with additional needs who are out of school or between placements. These interim packages take place in the student’s home and out in the community.
Our organisation is made up of a diverse, passionate and experienced community of case leads, specialist teachers and education mentors. We’re committed to providing bespoke, inclusive education to children and young people across the UK.
Putting children at the centre of their own learning journey
We start by building trusting, secure relationships
With our highly qualified specialist teachers and education mentors.
We believe that given the right support, every child can thrive
We create flexible and holistic plans that revolve around the bespoke social, emotional and academic needs of each young person.
We look to the future
To create both short and long-term goals. By planning for what comes next and helping smooth out potentially turbulent transitions.
We push for a proactive system that supports everyone
Advocating for a proactive, rather than reactive approach, we support parents, school staff and authorities. Our aim is to inspire positive shifts in SEN provision.
Our values
Our values are the core beliefs that shape how we support, work and connect with our young people. They help create our company culture, inform our approach and attract people who share our vision.
Wellbeing
- Keep themselves safe
- Look after their own physical and mental health
- Feel valued and find what brings them joy
Interaction
- Interact with the world around them, from family to teachers to people in the local community
- Voice their opinions and advocate for themselves
- Feel safe and happy in their relationships
Learning
- Find a love of learning
- See the potential in their future
- Have high expectations for themselves
Life Skills
- Have a functional level of life skills
- Be equipped to live independent and fulfilling lives
Our journey
The start
It all began with Lucy McMann helping one student who was out of school in 2018.
A growing need
Lucy's experience working in specialist settings and with alternative provisions meant she had first-hand insight into the number of young people not coping with the demands of formal education. She recognised a crisis of emotionally based school anxiety.
A team is formed
Along came Sophie Amos, bringing her own passion and a huge amount of professional experience. She’d been working within local authority provisions for young people who were out of school. Lucy and Sophie had worked together before and knew they made an excellent team. Together Lucy and Sophie turned SENse Learning into a company in 2019.
Making learning make SENse
Both Lucy and Sophie are passionate educators who believe that a ‘one size fits all’ approach to education doesn’t work for all young people. They see the foundations of successful learning as strong, trusting relationships with a focus on wellbeing and creative, interest-based education. This is what they set out to deliver.
SENse grows
SENse Learning went from one student and one local authority to now working within multiple local authorities and supporting many wonderful young people.
Successful outcomes
From helping children transition back to more formal school settings, move to alternative providers or (for some of the older students) find work placements, SENse have celebrated huge successes with their students.
Strong team, strong values
Through every evolution SENse Learning’s ethos and passion has underpinned everything they do. The growing team of exceptional staff and associates, share this vision and help make it a reality.
A personalised approach that makes SENse
We have a unique formula to help our young people get the most out of their learning journey, from our skilled specialist teachers, to our flexible timetable and our dedicated pastoral department. We create bespoke learning packages that work for individuals.
Our team makes us strong
We are incredibly proud of each member of our team. Every one of us has a strong desire to make things better for the young people we work with and the system we work within. With unique skills, diverse backgrounds and an abundance of experience we strive for and achieve great things.
Dedicated pastoral care
We offer something most alternative provision and tuition organisations don’t. A dedicated pastoral department who put safeguarding – as well as student, family and staff wellbeing – at the centre of everything we do. With this essential part of the puzzle taken care of we can do what we do best, and create personal learning journeys that make SENse.
Our pathways
We’ve created four unique SENse pathways. Each pathway offers specific support based on the student’s age, stage and next steps. Every student we work with is assigned one of these four pathways.
