A 15‑year‑old boy from Birmingham says a new education facility for children who cannot attend mainstream school “changed his life”, after years of struggling with undiagnosed autism and repeated school moves.
It comes as the government continues to roll out reforms to the SEND and Alternative Provision system, aimed at improving early identification of needs and creating more consistent support for pupils who struggle in mainstream settings.
The teenager, who is now in Year 10 and asked not to be named, attends the Alternative Provision at Bournville School. The centre supports 11 to 16‑year‑olds, including those who have been excluded or have complex social, emotional or mental health needs.
The newly refurbished building, which opened to students from across the city last month, offers small‑group teaching, specialist pastoral support and flexible curriculums, alongside vocational pathways in hairdressing, barbering and beauty.
The student said the support has helped him rebuild his confidence after years of instability in his education.
“I have been to a lot of schools because of managed moves, and it never worked out for me. I was a badly behaved child, but the teachers didn’t know how to deal with me. I’d have an hour’s detention every day and still skip it. I’ve just noticed I’m a completely different person now. This place and the teachers here have changed my personality. They don’t expect me to sit still and write for an hour, it’s more hands-on and practical. I’ve found my happiness here. It’s like a new me.”
He added that a conversation with Principal Marie Rooney marked a turning point. “When I came here and spoke to the principal, she told me how easy it is to start behaving, so I started trying and opening up. Miss Rooney was keeping an eye on me. She saw a lot of potential in me and rebuilt me brick by brick to be a better kid.”
His mom added: “It wasn’t until October just gone that he got his diagnosis and we knew that he needed something different and I was really apprehensive about this because they have got a stigma attached to them unfortunately, because you just think naughty kids, but now I think wow I wish they had done this three years ago. He is so much happier.
“They understand his brain works differently to other children. I feel like I’ve got my child back. I feel like we picked him up from school Year 6 the last day and we lost him, and now we’ve got him back.
“Not only has it changed his life, it’s changed our life as a family. There’s no animosity in the house. He gets on better with his little brother, he gets on better with me and friends and family that come round the house.”
Students recently shared their experiences with Birmingham Selly Oak MP Al Carns during a visit on Friday 20 March.
The Labour MP encouraged them to stay determined in the face of challenges, telling them: “I left school at 18 and went straight into the military, and I never expected that path would one day lead me to Parliament. Don’t let setbacks define your future – with hard work and determination, you can achieve anything. Don’t let anything hold you back.”
Another Year 10 student said the smaller setting had transformed her ability to learn adding: “In a big school environment, I had really bad anxiety. There were lots of people around, but now there are less and it’s quiet and I can focus more. I’m coming to school more than I used to. I feel really privileged this is here.”
Students study GCSE English, maths and science alongside personal development, careers education and workplace learning.
The redesign of the building was delivered in partnership with NuLogic, which worked on creating spaces suited to small‑group teaching and vocational training.
Principal Marie Rooney said the provision has brought many persistently absent students back into full-time education.
“It’s really lovely to step off the treadmill sometimes and sit with the products of the hard graft and work that we all put in to support every child,” she said. “Most children will get on fine in mainstream education, but some children do need a different diet, and the children in this school are really benefiting from everything we are doing here. There is a place for every child.”
The school says it will continue developing the provision, with a vocational construction course starting in September 2026 and plans to refurbish the second floor to create additional spaces and more specialised support for students.
