Our Story
Acorn Alternative Provision began operating in April 2023, but our story and work delivering non-school alternative provision (AP) in partnership with churches begins a long time before that. As an organisation, we have our roots in the Christian charity Transforming Lives for Good (TLG), who are well-known across UK churches for their Early Intervention and Make Lunch programmes. Prior to 2023, TLG ran a network of 11 registered AP schools within their flagship Education Centre programme. In late 2022, when TLG announced they were bringing this programme to a close, a group of staff and several church partners began exploring how this important work might continue in a new way post-closure with TLG.
Acorn Alternative Provision was born out of much prayer and consideration: led by two co-directors, previously part of TLG’s Education Leadership Team; with four church partners who had been hosts to TLG Education Centres; and a talented and committed team of centre staff. The last TLG Education Centres closed on 31st March 2023 and two weeks later, after the Easter holidays, Acorn AP opened its doors to 24 young people, across 4 new alternative provision centres in Normanton (West Yorkshire), Farnworth (Greater Manchester), Torquay (South Devon) and Frinton (Essex).
From very early on at Acorn AP we’ve been drawn to Isaiah chapter 61 in the Christian Bible, as a passage of scripture that describes what we are here to do. It’s also the inspiration for the name we were given – ‘Acorn Alternative Provision’. Isaiah was a prophet, writing around 700BC to the nation of Israel who were at that time in captivity and under threat from nations seeking to destroy them. Isaiah brings a message of hope: that God will bring about deliverance through the coming ‘Messiah’. 700+ years on, when Jesus Christ began his ministry, he quoted the beginning of Isaiah 61 – announcing that he was the fulfilment of these words.
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
The Holy Bible, New International Version,
Luke chapter 4, verses 18-19,
(requoting from Isaiah chapter 61, verses 1-2)
Jesus’ ministry was characterized by the way he drew alongside those members of society who were typically overlooked, rejected, discriminated against, poor, and sick: demonstrating love, grace, compassion and forgiveness towards them, and bringing hope. Jesus called this the ‘Kingdom of God’. Years later, it’s this example of social justice and demonstration of God’s character that motivates us – along with many other Christians – to care and do something about the inequality and social injustice that we see in our world today.
In education, there is a growing group of young people who are struggling to engage or are being excluded from mainstream. When we look closer, we often find underlying personal, circumstantial, familial and even generational factors that have had, or are having a significant impact. These can include poverty; unsafe family environment; poor mental health; special educational needs and gaps in prior learning. We are meeting young people and families that are trapped in cycles of despair, whose experiences in education are compounding patterns of negative thinking, low self-worth and low confidence. Often, these pupils and parents have found themselves without support and feeling marginalised, rejected and without hope.
At Acorn Alternative Provision, we feel that our calling is to follow Jesus’ example and to demonstrate God’s love, grace, compassion, forgiveness and hope, in the way that we include, embrace and build up young people and their families who are experiencing disengagement and exclusion from education:
“…to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of joy instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”
The Holy Bible, New International Version,
Isaiah chapter 61, verse 3
We’re now well into our journey as Acorn Alternative Provision. Our Centres continue to support young people to thrive, and we’ve worked with over 140 learners along the way. Our team has grown alongside our impact, strengthening the support we’re able to offer. In September 2024, we proudly opened Acorn Exeter, and we’re looking ahead to the opening of Acorn Tees Valley in September 2026. In a relatively short time, we’ve built a strong identity and reputation as a values-led charity committed to creating positive futures for young people.
A particularly exciting part of this has been seeing the impact of the support our partner churches bring to our young people and families. Our staff teams do a fantastic job of working with our young people during the school day, but their work can only go so far. Beyond the classroom, our partner churches are positive local networks that are providing effective wrap-around, and truly holistic support for our families in so many ways, including signposting to local networks and services, befriending and advocating for parents and carers, and providing practical help where there is need.
Our TLG experience has enabled us to bring high standards into Acorn AP in the areas where it matters most, like safeguarding and welfare. At the same time, the freedom that comes with being a new venture has made a way for new creativity and growth in how we are achieving our mission daily.
Rebuilding foundations, restoring hope.
