About Compass
Educational expertise.
Individualised provision.
Meaningful progress.
Compass is a specialist, education-led provider of SEND outreach, alternative provision and reintegration support across Greater Manchester.
Explore Our ExpertiseWhy Compass exists
Created to bridge the gap in education.
Some young people need a more flexible, individualised route into education. Schools and families often require specialist support to understand complex needs and access the right provision.
Compass was created to provide coordinated, education-led support that helps young people re-engage with learning and work towards a meaningful next step.
Alternative provision is a bridge, not a destination.”
Our founder & educational leadership
Expertise at the heart of Compass.
Rosie Aylward | Founder
Compass was founded by Rosie Aylward, an experienced senior education leader, qualified teacher and SENCo. Rosie previously held the position of Vice Principal with responsibility for Quality of Education, alongside extensive experience in SEND, safeguarding, curriculum development, attendance and school improvement.
Her professional experience includes leading improvements in teaching and learning, developing inclusive provision, supporting young people with complex educational needs and coordinating multi-agency approaches to attendance, safeguarding and reintegration.
Rosie has a strong understanding of the challenges faced by schools and local authorities when suitable provision is difficult to secure. Compass has been developed to offer a responsive, professionally managed service that combines educational expertise with individualised support.
Qualified Teacher
PGCE Secondary English
Former Vice Principal
Senior educational leadership
NPQH
Headship
NPQSENCo
SENCo
IPSEA Level 3
SEND Law training
Experienced
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Our approach to inclusion
High expectations and individualised support belong together.
We believe that experiencing barriers to education should never mean having lower expectations placed upon a young person. Our approach is built around understanding the individual, maintaining educational ambition and planning for progression.
- 01
Understand the individual
We begin with strengths, needs, barriers and aspirations rather than making assumptions about what a learner can achieve.
- 02
Maintain educational ambition
Personalised support should improve access to meaningful learning, not reduce expectations.
- 03
Plan for progression
Every programme should have clear objectives and agreed next steps towards reintegration, transition or greater independence.
The young people we support
Specialist provision for complex educational barriers.
SEND & SEMH
Individualised support where additional needs affect access to education.
EBSNA & Persistent Absence
Support to understand barriers and rebuild educational engagement.
Placement Breakdown & Reintegration
Structured provision supporting educational continuity and appropriate transitions.
Post-16 Pathways
Education, personal development and preparation for adulthood.
Every referral is considered individually, with suitability agreed with the commissioner.
Explore Our ProvisionThe expertise behind every placement
Specialist professionals. Coordinated support.
Our placements are delivered by experienced, suitably qualified professionals, with a named Programme Lead overseeing each programme. We work collaboratively with the young person, family and commissioner, with progress formally reviewed every six weeks.
- Programme Leads
- Qualified Teachers & Specialist Tutors
- SEND Mentors
- Therapeutic & Communication Specialists
Safeguarding, quality and professional standards
Professional standards built into our provision.
Safeguarding, safer recruitment, individual risk assessment and educational quality assurance are embedded throughout our provision. Our practice is informed by Keeping Children Safe in Education and the Department for Education's Voluntary National Standards for Non-School Alternative Provision.
Discuss specialist provision for a young person.
Speak to our team about individual needs, available support and the next steps towards a personalised placement.