Pathways for young people

Alternative provision & SEMH-shaped work — our red lines

We care about children with social, emotional and mental health needs, and about those who need something different from a standard classroom. Boxing is powerful for belonging and self-control. That does not make us a school.

• We are not currently a registered independent school or alternative provision provider.
• Providing all or most of a child’s education for five or more compulsory-age pupils (or for even one looked-after child or child with special educational needs) requires registration with the Department for Education before operating. The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 widens this “full-time” test, so we would stay clearly part-time unless and until we register.
• Any non-school / part-time commissioned activity would sit under school or local-authority quality assurance, with safeguarding first.
• Website and bids will say ambition / working toward partnerships until contracts and registrations exist.

Near-term steps that are credible

• Keep growing the live kids pathway and free squad
• Holiday programmes and open days with clear consent and ratios
• Staff development: trauma-informed practice, mentoring skills [confirm: training plan]
• Exploratory conversations with schools, AP commissioners and Plymouth education teams, with the aim of meeting the minimum standards Plymouth City Council sets for its Alternative Provision Framework (a directory of checked part-time providers that schools can commission)
• Safeguarding foundations first: a named Club Welfare Officer, enhanced DBS checks for every coach, and England Boxing’s club health check requirements kept up to date

Boxing clubs already do this well

We are not inventing the idea. The charity Fight for Peace has combined boxing with education, mentoring and support for young people in London since 2007, and shares its model with community clubs across the UK. Through its National Lottery-funded Creating Pathways programme, five partner clubs, including Tamworth Boxing Club and Bulldogs Boxing in Port Talbot, ran courses where 174 young people worked toward qualifications alongside their sport. In Hull, Vulcan Learning Centre began as a boxing club and now delivers accredited vocational courses for 14–16 year olds with local schools.

That is the road we would like to learn from: step by step, in partnership, with safeguarding and proper registration in place before any education is offered. [confirm: Any contact with Fight for Peace]

Parents who want a class this week: use Kids boxing and WhatsApp for a free trial.