Referral Options
Phoenix Education Project provides full-time, face-to-face alternative provision for learners who benefit from a more personalised, flexible approach to education. We work in partnership with schools and families to support students whose circumstances or learning profiles require a different environment, whether temporarily or long-term.
Every placement, regardless of duration, includes access to GCSE specifications across all subjects, alongside mentoring, enrichment, and life skills development. Our trauma-informed approach promotes academic progress, emotional wellbeing, and purposeful reintegration into mainstream education or transition to post-16 pathways.
We offer three flexible placement tiers to meet the needs of learners and referrers:
Short-Term
Intervention
A focused reset with reintegration in mind.
Short-term placements at Phoenix provide immediate structure, stability, and re-engagement for learners experiencing difficulties. With access to GCSE specifications in all subjects, students maintain academic continuity while benefiting from pastoral care and enrichment. This tier is ideal for supporting reintegration into mainstream education or preparing for a managed move.
Medium-Term
Intervention
A bridge to sustained progress and reintegration.
Medium-term placements offer learners the time and support to rebuild confidence, consolidate academic skills, and develop positive routines. All students follow GCSE specifications across subjects, ensuring curriculum alignment with mainstream settings. This tier supports both reintegration and progression, with tailored mentoring and life skills development.
Long-Term
Intervention
A full pathway to post-16 success.
Long-term placements provide a comprehensive educational experience, including GCSEs, vocational options, and personal development. Learners are supported to achieve qualifications, grow in independence, and prepare confidently for Level 3 qualifications and beyond. This tier is ideal for students requiring a stable, aspirational alternative to mainstream education.
Leadership Profile
Founder and Director: Mark Brookman
An English specialist with over a decade of experience as Head of English and three years in senior leadership, Mark has driven sustained academic improvement across multiple schools. At Stopsley High School, he led a six-year upward trend in English outcomes—from 34% A*-C to 91% 4–9. At Chiltern Academy, he delivered the strongest English results ever recorded within the Chiltern Learning Trust.
Mark’s leadership is defined by high expectations, strategic clarity, and an unwavering belief in learners who feel overlooked or underestimated. He is passionate about reigniting self-belief, especially in those who feel they’ve run out of chances. Phoenix is the embodiment of that mission: a place where academic rigour meets compassionate advocacy, and every learner is seen, supported, and empowered to succeed.
Where to find us:
​Phoenix Education Project is based within Church Lane Community Centre. Located on a small, well-connected retail park in Bedford, the site offers a calm, purposeful setting for learners—away from the pressures of mainstream school, yet close to everyday amenities and community life.
✨ Facilities Include:
- Two spacious classrooms for structured academic learning
- Staff office space for planning, safeguarding, and pastoral coordination
- Three breakout rooms for 1:1 support, wellbeing sessions, and quiet reflection
- A large hall for group activities, sports, and enrichment events
- Modern kitchen facilities for life skills, shared meals, and creative learning
- Ample on-site parking for staff, visitors, and transport providers
- Local shops and amenities just steps away, supporting independence and real-world engagement.
This environment allows Phoenix to offer a safe, accessible, and emotionally attuned provision for learners who need a reset, while remaining deeply connected to Bedford’s educational and civic landscape.
Explore the map to see how Phoenix connects with over 20 secondary schools across Bedford and Kempston.