Our Impact
Most of the young people who come to us have been struggling to attend mainstream school for a long time. The figures below come from our records for 49 young people placed with us by seven local authorities across south east London since 2023.
Headline figures
went on to college or into training
moved to a new school or went back to their own
gained GCSEs, some after years out of education
passed Functional Skills in English or maths
secured an EHCP with our evidence and support
local authorities place young people with us
Where young people go next
Recent leavers have gone on to Bromley College, Croydon College, Capel Manor College, Morley College, North Kent College, John Ruskin College and the Fashion Retail Academy.
Others have started an apprenticeship with Amazon or an internship with the NHS, and one joined a National Youth Theatre course. School moves have included the Brit School and Rochester Independent College. Other young people have gone back to mainstream secondary schools or moved to specialist settings. After visiting us, one local secondary school set up its own provision based on how we work.
Six young people's stories
From 20 minutes to two and a half days
The young person had been out of school and on home tuition. At first they could manage 20 minutes at Roots with their mum waiting downstairs. Four weeks later they were coming in on their own for two and a half days a week. We're now working with their school on a plan to go back.
Speaking for the first time
The young person had situational mutism and wouldn't speak at all in a school setting. There was no EHCP, so their parents paid for the place at first. We worked with the family and school to secure one. They now spend two days a week with us, have started going back to school for tutor time and recently began speaking to students and staff at Roots.
From stuck at home to full attendance
The young person hadn't been to school since Year 8 and were only getting home tuition. Their attendance at Roots is 100%. They have a group of friends here and join in well in lessons. They've also started a dance class outside Roots, which their parents never expected. We're now planning their return to school, with a friend from Roots going with them.
Recovery and a return to mainstream
The young person came to us very unsettled after a setting where they had seen many physical interventions. Roots gave them the time and calm they needed to recover. They moved back into a mainstream school, gained five GCSEs at grade 6 and went on to sixth form college.
From very unwell to college
The young person was seriously unwell, struggling at school and had no EHCP. We helped the family secure one and supported the move to a specialist school. We then ran a shared programme with that school through Key Stage 4. They passed Functional Skills and GCSEs in English and maths and now study health and social care at college. Their parents say Roots breathed life back into their child.
A school that adopted our model
The young person hadn't been in school since the end of Year 6 and their place was close to ending. Staff from their secondary school visited Roots and set up their own provision based on how we work. They now split their week between Roots and the school's inclusion centre. Their parents have seen a big change in how engaged and happy they are.
* We've kept the details general to protect the young people and their families.
Considering a placement?
Contact Liz Key or Emma Foinette, Co-Headteachers. We're happy to talk through a specific young person's needs, referral routes and pricing before anything is formalised.