A CHESTER-BASED online education provider has opened a new office to help meet demand for alternative education as the number of excluded pupils in England soars.

Tute Education say the new site, located within Chester Business Park, is a crucial step in the firm’s commitment to supporting students who, for various reasons, cannot access mainstream education.

Permanent exclusions in England rose by 44 percent to 9,400 in the 2022/23 academic year and suspensions increasing by 20 percent to a record 787,000.

Persistent disruptive behaviour and unmet special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are among the top reasons for these exclusions, reflecting significant gaps in the current education system.

This, combined with an increasing number of children with mental health challenges and emotionally-based school avoidance (EBSA), has led to a significant increase in students being enrolled with Tute Education (Tute) by local authorities and schools seeking genuine alternatives.

The new office will enable Tute to grow their workforce, providing more online education delivered live by qualified teachers and meet the increasing demand for genuine learning alternatives.

“We're delighted to open our new office in Chester,” said Vanessa Leach, managing director of Tute Education.

“This move isn't just about expanding our presence; it's about expanding our ability to support the increasing number of students who need us.

“We believe that high-quality, inclusive education should be available to all student, irrespective of their circumstances, and our new office will help us continue to make a positive impact on the lives of young people across the UK.”