John Collings

Executive Director of Children's Services

Civic Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8PU

www.newcastle.gov.uk

Ref: / / /foi

This matter is being dealt with by: Alan Carrick, Lead Specialist Practitioner (Alternative Provision)

Tel: 0191 277 4420

Date: 1^st July 2010

Children's Services[Author ID0: at ]

Newcastle City Council[Author ID0: at ]

Springfield Centre [Author ID0: at ]

Off Blakelaw Road [Author ID0: at ]

Blakelaw[Author ID1: at Tue Jul 6 09:51:00 2010 ]

Newcastle Upon Tyne [Author ID0: at ]

NE5 3HU[Author ID1: at Tue Jul 6 09:51:00 2010 ]

Email: [email address][Author ID1: at Tue Jul 6 09:51:00 2010 ]

Dear K Rees

Freedom of Information

I refer to your FOI request of 10^th June 2010 regarding Local Authority Alternative Provision in Newcastle.

In response to your query Newcastle City Council has a single pupil referral unit, Linhope School. We do not currently operate a separate `Virtual School' institution. `We have a range of SEN specialist provisions, but these operate as elements of SEN schools rather than as forms of Alternative Provision.

Linhope School has a fluctuating population. In the academic year 2009-10 it has varied from 70-150 pupils on roll at particular times this year, depending upon the level of need at a given time.

The contact details are J Lough, Headteacher, Linhope School, Linhope Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE5 2LW.

If you are unhappy with our response to your request you can ask for an internal review of our decision. Please send details of your request for review to the following address:

Information Governance Coordinator
Chief Executive's Directorate
Civic Centre
Barras Bridge
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE99 2BN
Telephone: 0191 277 7666
E-mail: [Newcastle upon Tyne City Council request email]

If you are still unhappy with how we have handled your request following our internal review you can complain to the Information Commissioner. Contact details are as follows:

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Telephone: 0303 123 1113
E-mail: [email address]

Please contact me on the above telephone number if you wish to discuss this matter.

Yours sincerely

Alan Carrick

Lead Specialist Practitioner (Alternative Provision)