Measuring our impact

Click to read our full 2026 Impact Report

“The difference you are making is clearly palpable and extremely encouraging. I continue to have a profound interest in what is happening in the area and the ambition that you all share for the young people who deserve the best. Thank you again for all you are doing.”

— Lord David Blunkett

Why we exist

9,906 children were permanently excluded in 24/25 and 1.34 million children missed more than a week of school.

1 in 3 children in need had at least 1 exclusion.

Just 4% of excluded pupils pass their English and Maths GCSEs, compared to 65% nationally.

Nearly 90% of young offenders were excluded from school.

Each exclusion carries a £370,000 lifetime cost to society in education, benefits, healthcare and criminal justice, an estimated £3.5 billion annually.

But the personal cost is even greater: lost confidence, fractured belong, and unrealised potential.

ReconnectEd exists to change this.

Key findings from

September 2025 – August 2026

99% OF RECONNECTED PUPILS STAYED IN SCHOOL

88% OF OUR YEAR 11s SECURED POST-16 PLACEMENTS, AND ARE FLOURISHING AT COLLEGE

100% OF OUR YEAR 6s TRANSITIONED SUCCESSFULLY INTO YEAR 7

WE INCREASED THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN WE SUPPORTED BY 30% COMPARED TO THE PREVIOUS YEAR

100% OF PUPILS AND PARENTS/CARERS WOULD RECOMMEND HAVING A COACH

Stage 1: The Relationship

We work with the most vulnerable young people who all struggle to cope in mainstream school, through no fault of their own.

64% of our Sheffield pupils live in extreme deprivation and are eligible for Pupil Premium, and all of our Warwickshire pupils are in care or in need.

ReconnectEd’s approach is grounded in evidence that warm, responsive relationships can support emotional regulation, while sustained, trusting relationships with adults can help young people build confidence, resilience and positive pathways.

Pupil absence has rightly received national attention since the pandemic. Our Coaches work tirelessly to help young people reconnect with education, attend school, engage in learning and achieve their potential.

Our pupils’ attendance rate is 10% higher, at 68%, than the national average of 58% for pupils in state-maintained alternative provision nationally.

Our Young People’s ReconnectEd Journey

Stage 2: Reconnecting with Learning

School exclusion increases the risk of becoming Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) at the age of 19/20, and then remaining economically inactive, experiencing higher unemployment and earning lower wages at the age of 25/26. Against a backdrop of rising youth disengagement, 88% of ReconnectEd’s Year 11s successfully transitioned to college, compared with just 29% in alternative provision nationally progressing to positive destinations at the end of Yr 11.

"The Reconnected Coaches get the young people to come in, make them feel welcome, make them feel that they belong. Then they start to engage, and then we can re-engage them back into learning."

Teacher

Stage 3: Progression to Brighter Futures

Case Study

AMY - From School avoidance to full time education

“Rachael has helped me so much. She used to come to my house to talk to me, next I moved into the PLC where she was based, then the building closed suddenly so I had to go in mainstream. Rachael held my hand every step of the way & gave me amazing support. I am now in school full time, (as you can see from my attendance data,) and I have started my mock GCSEs this week. I can't believe I am actually doing them! None of this would have been achievable without the support, patience, guidance and emotion coaching from Rachael, I can't thank her enough.” Amy

When ReconnectEd began working with Amy in 2023, severe anxiety had left her unable to attend school, leave her bedroom or enjoy activities she once loved.

Through patient, relationship-based coaching, her Coach gradually built trust, initially talking with Amy from behind her bedroom door. Together, they focused on emotional regulation, confidence and understanding anxiety before taking small, manageable steps back towards education.

Amy gradually returned through a smaller provision, building confidence and positive relationships. When it unexpectedly closed, she faced the challenge of transitioning into mainstream school. With continued personalised support, she overcame her anxiety about entering the building, accessed lessons and developed greater independence.

Amy is now attending mainstream school full-time, completing mock GCSEs and looking ahead to her future.

Her attendance tells its own story:

2022–23: 27.8%

2023–24: 46.6%

2024–25: 100%

2025–26: 95.8%

Amy has also contributed to the Graphic Novel, creating a storyboard to help other young people facing barriers to education feel understood and supported.

Amy’s story shows what’s possible when trust comes first, progress happens at the young person’s pace, and education becomes accessible again.

“Rachael from the ReconnectEd team has been a huge help to both my daughter and family. Due to high levels of anxiety, my daughter stopped attending school and her attendance dropped to 27%. Rachael started visiting Amy at home and thanks to her continued work, care and patience, she is now back in school with an attendance of 96%, and I have been able to return to work.”

Amy’s mother