Stronger Minds, Brighter Futures
At The ACE Academy, we believe every young person deserves a learning environment where they feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive. Our Alternative Education Provision is designed to offer a fully personalised educational experience that nurtures each student’s academic, emotional, and social development.
The Ace Academy is an accredited provider of Alternative Education and we specialise in engaging young people who are struggling to thrive in mainstream education, including those at risk of exclusion or already excluded, learners with SEND, EBSA and complex needs. We understand that no two pupils are the same, which is why our approach is flexible, compassionate, and tailored to individual needs. We provide 1:1, individualised and supportive pathways that meet each learner at their starting point and help them reconnect with education, make positive choices and regulate their emotions and behaviour. We engage pupils on school site, off site in the community or through a hybrid approach.
We support young people who:
- Benefit from a nurturing setting to rebuild confidence and motivation.
- Find it challenging to engage with mainstream education or have had prolonged absence.
- Require additional support due to Special Educational Needs (SEN), Autism, ADHD, ODD, pupils with a history of trauma or behavioural difficulties.
Our approach is underpinned by psychotherapeutic principles and deeply rooted in trauma‑informed practice. Our staff are trained in counselling skills and have personal experience of the challenges faced by the young people we support, enabling them to form genuine connections, develop trust, and offer guidance that feels authentic and relatable. Relationships sit at the heart of our work which creates a strong and safe foundation for learning, belonging and personal growth.
We have a strong history of successfully engaging learners with complex needs, including social, emotional and mental health, those with behavioural difficulties, special educational needs, and the impact of trauma. We support young people from all backgrounds and firmly believe that with the right relationships, guidance and support, every young person can overcome challenges and thrive.
We work with schools in the Nottingham City, Nottinghamshire County and Mansfield areas.
Find our listing for Nottingham City Council here: https://www.apnottingham.org.uk/listing/ace-academy/
Qualifications
At The ACE Academy, learners work towards nationally recognised qualifications tailored to their individual pathways, including functional skills, GCSEs, and vocational awards. Our personalised 1:1 tutoring model ensures each student receives targeted support, helping them overcome barriers to learning and achieve meaningful progress both academically and personally.
- GCSE English and Maths
- Functional Skills English and maths (Level 1, Level 2, Entry 1, Entry 2, Entry 3)
- Vocational Awards tailored to the pupils career goals.
- Personal and Social Development Awards tailored to the pupils needs and career goals.
“The service provided by The Ace Academy has made a significant difference in the young people’s lives we have referred; a positive role model has been established in their lives, building confidence and their self-esteem with it”
Ben Marlow
White Hills Park Trust