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DfE Voluntary National Standards Benchmark

21 Standards. 4 Themes. One Honest Self-Benchmark.

New Seeds Education is voluntarily benchmarking itself against the DfE's "Non-school Alternative Provision: Voluntary National Standards" (31 August 2025) — published as a transitional framework before national standards become mandatory.

We show honest "Covered" and "Partial (mobilisation)" ratings against every standard, with full policy and PDF evidence for each. No aspirational shortcuts.

21

Total standards

13

Covered

8

Partial (mobilisation)

0

Planned

Weighted readiness score85%

Weighting: Covered = 100% · Partial (mobilisation) = 60% · Planned = 0%

Applicability: Whole New Seeds Education group (site-agnostic evidence). The DfE standards apply to non-school alternative provision; we voluntarily benchmark both the Winchester Avenue (Stoke-on-Trent) non-school AP site and, on a comparable basis, the Albrighton specialist Post-16 college.

Part 1

Safeguarding & Welfare of Children

6 standards

Part 2

Health & Safety

6 standards

Part 3

Admissions, Support & Guidance

5 standards

Part 4

Quality of Education

4 standards

Source: Department for Education, "Non-school alternative provision: voluntary national standards" (31 August 2025). Available at gov.uk.

Status of the standards: The standards are currently voluntary and non-statutory. DfE has stated its intention to legislate to make them mandatory in due course. We publish this benchmark early so commissioners can inspect our position transparently before formal enforcement.

Any of our claims can be verified against the corresponding policy document or PDF in the New Seeds policy library. Where a standard is rated "Partial (mobilisation)", the evidence exists in draft or template form and is enacted at the point of first learner attendance.

Want to discuss the benchmark in detail?

Commissioners and quality-assurance officers are welcome to inspect any of our policies, request additional evidence or arrange a walkthrough of the benchmark with our leadership team.