Care, structure and a path back into learning.
Aspire AP Schools is a family of two independent alternative provision schools, Aspire Hall Green and Aspire 2 in Smethwick. We support young people aged 11 to 16 whose education has reached a crisis point.
Who we are
Aspire was started in partnership with the award-winning charity Transforming Lives for Good. We believe every young person is precious, distinctive and capable of flourishing, and that the best way to help them is by working closely with families, communities and local organisations.
We have a clear Christian ethos, and four values that run through everything we do. In practice that means respect, care, love, acceptance and belonging for everyone here, staff and students alike.
Our values
Four commitments, in the school’s own words. They come out of our Christian ethos, and they are not words on a wall: they are what students and staff feel here every day.
- Providing supportWe provide the wraparound support that students and their families need, so they can get past the barriers holding their education back — and those obstacles often lie beyond the school gates.
- Building resilienceWe equip students with the principles and life skills to keep making progress, in spite of the challenges many of them have already faced.
- Creating opportunitySchool should be a place that widens what a young person believes is possible: games, cooking, outdoor activities, day trips and even travel overseas.
- Enabling achievementWe make sure students progress from their baseline assessment, especially in the core subjects, and are ready for exams and for whatever comes next, whether that is education, training or employment.
Why we’re here
We help every student think more clearly, communicate more confidently and build the study habits they need for whatever comes next, whether that is returning to mainstream school, college, training or work.
Day to day, that means:
- Strengthening reading, writing, listening and thinking skills
- Helping students understand and manage their emotions
- Building the habits and resilience that learning depends on
- Preparing students for reintegration, further education or employment
A curriculum built around the whole young person
We provide educational and therapeutic support together, so students can really re-engage with school. Small groups and a 1:3 staff-to-student ratio mean we can shape learning around each young person, whether they have SEN, social, emotional and mental health needs, an EHCP or another barrier to learning.
Every student has access to:
- English
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Science
- PSHE and Citizenship
- Religious Education
- History
- Sport
- Cooking
- Creative Arts
- Functional Skills
- GCSEs
- ASDAN
Students work towards qualifications with NOCN, and towards AQA Unit Awards alongside them.
Thinking Skills
Our own programme, run alongside the curriculum.
Aspire Positive Pathways
For students facing emotionally based school avoidance.
Enrichment Wednesdays
Practical life skills, trips and hands-on learning.
How we're led
Each school's full staff team is on its own page.
Mrs Royal
Executive Head Teacher and SENCO
Oversees both schools, and is Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Mrs Smith
Deputy Head Teacher, Aspire 2
Leads Aspire 2 day to day, teaches across the school, and is Designated Safeguarding Lead there.
Mr Mills
Head Teacher, Aspire Hall Green
Leads Hall Green day to day, teaches Maths and Science, and is the school's Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Our governing body: Mike Royal (Chair of Governors, 07967 368350), Deborah Barnett (Safeguarding Lead for the Governing Body), Shawnette Johnson (Governor for Teaching and Learning) and Asif Gill.
How we keep students safe
Every member of staff is thoroughly checked before working with children. We deal openly and quickly with any concern, including radicalisation and extremism. All of our policies are available to read at any time.