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Alternative Education

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If you wish to refer your young person to our Alternative Education Provision please complete the referral form. If you have any queries prior to completing the referral form please email alternative.education@urbond.org
Complete Alternative Education Referral
Helping young people re-engage with education to secure a brighter future

At URBOND, we believe every young person should have the opportunity to thrive and achieve their full potential, including within education. We are an approved Alternative Provision in Portsmouth, offering a supportive, nurturing and purposeful environment for young people who may need a different pathway to succeed.

Drawing on URBOND's distinctive development approach, the Alternative Provision is delivered through a flexible and holistic model, underpinned by tailored support, positive relationships and a strong focus on both learning and wellbeing. URBOND aims to help young people re-engage with education, strengthen their personal values, social and emotional development, confidence and practical skills whilst also supporting academic progress. In doing so, URBOND works to remove barriers and prepare young people for their next steps and future opportunities.

URBOND Alternative Education Offer

Our aim is to work alongside schools and support the delivery of high-quality education that supports engagement, progress and positive outcomes.

Our programme offers a diverse range of subject areas designed to support holistic development, enhance creativity and build practical life skills among participants. Each subject area is tailored to engage learners through interactive and hands on experiences.

URBOND is flexible in delivering Alternative Education. We deliver at URBOND’s premises, where young people can access high-quality equipment supported by our qualified staff. We can also deliver on school premises, providing engagement activities and mentorship, with access to school facilities and staff where required.

Our Approach

At URBOND, we believe every young person deserves an education that fits them — not the other way round. Our Alternative Education Programme (AEP) offers a calm, supportive, and structured space where young people rebuild confidence, develop life skills, and re-engage with learning at their own pace, alongside trusted adults who know them.

At URBOND, we understand that every learner is different. Our mentors form strong, trusted relationships with each child or young person, whether working towards academic goals, developing life skills, or simply reigniting a love for learning.

How the programme works

Every young person begins on an individual pathway, then grows into shared learning as their confidence builds:

Stage 1 — Individual Stage 2 — Paired Stage 3 — Small Group
One-to-one support to build routine, trust and core skills. Working alongside one other young person to build social confidence. Groups of 3–4 preparing for classroom, college and work.

Where mainstream or full-time education is the goal, URBOND can support that journey — including running sessions in school to help make the transition smoother. We'll stay in regular contact with education settings to review progress, and work together on a plan that's right for the young person.

What young people experience

All young people take part in a core programme built around literacy, numeracy, life skills, training, tutoring, mentoring and wellbeing. In addition, each young person selects a specialist subject from URBOND's own range of proven programmes, which we're always developing further. These include:

  • Music
  • Sport
  • Cookery
  • Media
  • Art & Drawing
  • Creativity
Why it works

A structured environment but with URBOND's unique flexibility and adaptability to the individual young person.
Focus on trusted and supportive relationships with staff.
  •  Small, consistent groups mean every young person is known and understood.
  •  Progression is gradual and earned — attendance and engagement unlock more time, opportunities and experiences.
  • Work experience and employability support built in for those ready for it.

Why Choose URBOND?

  • URBOND is a Portsmouth-based charitable organisation deeply rooted in the local community. The organisation is recognised for its impactful work in empowering young people through arts, sport, education and community development.
  • URBOND combines mental, physical, and social development, offering programmes that support education, mental health, personal growth, and inclusion.
  • It builds deep, trust-based relationships with young people and families, ensuring its programmes are responsive and relevant.
  • URBOND’s support is relationship and needs based, allowing the organisation to adapt its offering to each individual.
  • URBOND uses sports and arts as gateways to build life skills such as teamwork, discipline, and leadership, making development engaging and accessible.
  • URBOND encourages young voices and leadership, ensuring programmes reflect the needs and ideas of young people themselves.
  • URBOND has a strong focus on safety, mental health, and inclusion, creating spaces where young people feel seen, heard, and valued.

AEP Info Pack

Download PDF

AEP Policy

Download PDF

Safeguarding

Download PDF
Assurance letters of staff DBS and insurances will be supplied on request. We also support any other assessment processes needed for school approval, including onsite tours.
Meet Our Alternative Education TEAM
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Ousmane Drame
CEO
Passionate and experienced youth mentor with nearly 20 years experience supporting young people. Ousmane is committed to breaking down barriers and creating pathways that enable young people to access opportunities, build confidence and shape their futures.
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Kyla Foster
Youth Development Manager
A youth and community professional, working 11 years in Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, with experience in community cohesion, engagement, safeguarding and partnership work. Qualified in Inclusion and Diversity, Social Science, Coaching and Mentoring, Counselling skills and more. Passionate about supporting young people to make positive choices and be their best selves.
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Joanne Austin
Family and Youth Support Worker
Jo brings over fourteen years’ experience as a therapeutic foster carer, alongside a clinical background in renal, intensive care, and paediatric nursing. She is also a published author and small business owner, with expertise and personal experience in supporting children with complex needs and trauma. A Fostering Ambassador and active member of community networks, her work spans frontline care, advocacy, and collaboration. Jo is committed to championing children, families, and individuals with mental health challenges and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
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Lara Buck
Alternative Provision Support

Lara is an experienced educator with over 20 years' experience planning and delivering programmes for children from diverse backgrounds, in Portsmouth and overseas at an international school. Her recent work as a class teacher at a faith school has involved building trust with multilingual families, using personalised support and practical resources to remove barriers to learning. Highly organised, Lara creates clear lesson plans and tracks each child's progress closely to make sure no one is left behind.
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Caleb Anderson
Youth Worker

Caleb is a shining example of what young people can achieve when given the right opportunities and support. After taking part in the URBOND Youth Ambassadors Programme, serving as an Army Cadet and becoming Head of School, he has grown into a confident and inspiring young leader.
Today, he is a Youth Worker at URBOND, using his own experiences to support and empower his peers.
His journey is a powerful reminder that when we invest in young people, they become the leaders who inspire and lift others
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Ihor Korenev
Youth Worker

Ihor is a disciplined international beach volleyball player, he has dedicated years to helping young people develop their skills and confidence. Having benefited from URBOND’s support himself, he now works at URBOND to help create better opportunities and a brighter future for young people.
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Smangele Gwengwe
Kitchen Staff
Smangele is a passionate chef from Malawi whose cooking is shaped by her life experience and role as a mother. Actively involved in community initiatives, she leads within a women’s group and contributes to youth development programmes. She creates meals that promote joy, care, and belonging, particularly for children. Guided by compassion, resilience, and purpose, Smangele brings resilience and empathy to her work, using food to support and connect with others, embracing cultural diversity, and making a positive impact.
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Avalon Joseph
Kitchen Staff
Avalon’s connection to food and cooking is rooted in her family and culture, and as a qualified, experienced chef she uses the life skill of cooking to educate young people. Beyond her culinary expertise, she’s equally passionate about Youth and Social Work. Drawing on her life experiences and strong interpersonal abilities, such as active listening, engagement, observation, emotional awareness, and intuition, Avalon guides and supports young people while helping individuals feel heard, understood, and valued.
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Tim Cook
Music Producer
Tim’s music career spans over 35 years, starting as a drummer and progressing after 15 years into DJing, performing at renowned UK venues including Ministry of Sound, Egg London, and The Opera House. Self-taught in music producing, he has releases on respected global house and techno labels, including Defected and Classic Music Company. Tim now owns Haus Quake studios, an electronic music-focused space hosting diverse artists, creating EP’s and albums across genres, manages three of his own labels, supporting artists to release songs worldwide.
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Barbara Nkomo’s
Youth Support and Development Project Lead
Barbara has worked with children and young people for over 12 years across youth work, nursery work, and other settings. Her background in education, entertainment, and catering helps shape her dynamic approach. Using her qualifications in children and young people’s development, she creates an environment that supports learning, growth, and confidence. Barbara brings a caring and creative style to her work, helping to provide a safe, fun, and welcoming space. She is also a mum of two and a proud member of the Portsmouth community.
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Gloria Miller
Vocal Coach and Creative Writer
Known as Rainbow Glo, Gloria, is a multidisciplinary creative artist and wellness-focused communicator working across music, writing, and energy coaching. She combines performance, reflective writing, and self-expression to help build confidence, creativity, and personal growth. Gloria performs live regularly across the UK, has released her own music, and has previously performed on cruise ships. She also delivers vocal training, performance coaching, and creative writing sessions.
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Alec Chapman
Marketing Professional
Alec is a marketing professional and founder of a leading startup, PEOPLE OF OUR WORLD Media and This is Mee UK. He has experience in marketing, visual content production and editing, and has spent six years building his team, managing his YouTube channels and businesses. He has produced documentaries, music videos, short films, and campaigns, and has worked with government officials, charities, international DJs, and businesses across the UK. Alec has been building a local community network and hosts a vodcast with over 87 episodes, highlighting organisations and key people making a positive impact.
Feedback and TEstimonials
We are always very grateful to URBOND for welcoming us and working with us. We are very aware that URBOND as an organisation do so much. We are particularly grateful for the opportunity to hear and learn from the perspectives shared by families that are supported by URBOND. We look forward to continuing to work with URBOND and hopefully continuing to develop our partnership.
Jenni Wessels, Senior Lecturer
Portsmouth University.