Reaching Further | An Update on the Growth of the uReach Alternative Provision Centre in Wokingham

Since our journey began in October 2025, uReach has been driven by a single goal; to provide as many children as possible with the opportunity to experience success. We recognised a need for high-quality Primary Alternative Provision built on expert knowledge and a child-first philosophy; a place where students are truly understood.

As we reflect on our progress, we are thrilled to share that since launching in October 2025, we are pleased to already be helping multiple young people to make measurable progress.

As of May 2026, uReach are proud to have already supported 16 Young People, 13 Primary Schools & 4 Local Authorities

A Team Defined by Values

At uReach, our impact is only as strong as the people behind it. We believe that exceptional SEND support requires more than just professional qualifications; it requires a specific and mindset.

We pride ourselves on the high standard of our mentors, who work tirelessly to transform the educational experience for our young people. Everyone we recruit for uReach is hand-selected because they naturally embody our three core values:

• Putting You First: Every decision we make is centered on the individual needs of the child. We adapt our environment and approach to fit the student, rather than forcing the student to fit a rigid system.

• Being a Kind Person: Kindness is our baseline. Our mentors provide a nurturing, safe, and empathetic presence, ensuring that every child feels listened to and valued from the moment they arrive.

• Taking Pride in What You Do: We hold ourselves to the highest professional standards. Whether it’s de-escalating a difficult moment with grace or documenting a breakthrough in a progress report, our team takes immense pride in delivering a premium service.

Leadership Built on Specialist Expertise

Our leadership team brings extensive specialised experience to the sector. Stephanie Hiscox, our Company Director, brings invaluable educational insight from her time as an SEN teacher at Manor Green Special School and within the SEN support unit at Edgbarrow alongside her operational expertise from her position as a uGroup Director across uSports, uKids & uReach.

Working alongside Steph, is Michelle O'Donoghue, our Director of Alternative Provision who has joined the team just before the Easter Holidays. Michelle’s leadership is essential in maintaining our child-first culture and ensuring our mentor team is supported to deliver the consistent, high-standard care our pupils deserve. Together, they ensure that uReach isn't just a holding space, but a place of genuine therapeutic and educational growth.

Michelle O'Donoghue: As a qualified teacher with an extensive background in pastoral leadership and safeguarding, Michelle brings a wealth of experience to her role as Director of Alternative Provision at uReach. Having spent over seven years at Samuel Cody School, an MLD specialist setting, followed by senior leadership roles at Cody Oaks SEMH, she possesses a deep understanding of the complexities facing children in specialist settings.

The "Pick & Play" Model: Learning Without Pressure

Traditional classroom settings can often be overwhelming for children with complex needs. That’s why we have developed the Pick & Play Model. This bespoke framework, designed by our qualified teachers, allows individual educational and social targets to be seamlessly weaved into a student’s day.

By operating in a structured but low-pressure environment, we remove the demand overwhelm often associated with learning. Our mentors are experts at identifying teachable moments during play and activity, ensuring that progress toward EHCP goals happens naturally and consistently.

Data-Driven Insights with LearnTrek

We believe that transparency is key to successful Alternative Provision placements. To ensure schools and parents are always informed, we use LearnTrek, a leading platform for specialised alternative provision reporting.

Through LearnTrek, our team provide:

• Real-Time Tracking: Recording daily achievements and breakthroughs.

• Transparent Reporting: Providing weekly logs and half termly reports for open information sharing between home, school, and uReach.

• Measurable Outcomes: Mapping every session back to specific targets, providing a clear audit trail of progress for annual reviews.

  
  

Our Refined Environment: Including Our New Garden Space

We have meticulously designed our space to be calming, adaptable, and sensory-friendly. We are particularly excited to announce the launch of our New Garden Space for Summer 2026. This securely fenced outdoor area allows students to access fresh air and physical activity in a safe, controlled setting.

Inside, our facilities continue to evolve, featuring sensory rooms, sensory swings, and zoned areas designed to help children co-regulate and transition between activities with ease. Head over to our website to watch our most recent site walkthrough to see the careful changes which we have put in place to maximise our spce.

Consistency Through In-House Transport

We understand that transport to alternative provision can be costly, complicated and at times seemingly impossible! To ensure not only a reliable service but also a calm, regulated start to the day, uReach never outsources transport. We use our own vehicles and our own uReach drivers. This ensures that the child is met by a familiar, friendly face every morning, maintaining the highest standards of safety and emotional consistency. This service is offered free of charge for all journeys within 15 minutes of our setting.

Join Us on the Journey

As we look toward the future, we remain committed to ensuring that no child is left behind. If you represent a school or a local authority, or if you are a parent looking for the right Primary Alternative Provision, we invite you to connect with us:

• Submit a Referral: Start the process via our website

• Book a Private Tour: Experience our environment firsthand.

• Discovery Call: Schedule a 10-minute suitability screening with our leadership team.

Visit www.ureach-ap.co.uk to watch our site walkthrough and learn more.