Horizons Alternative Provision Academy was created in September 2026 by Maiden Erlegh Trust to give more children and young people across Reading and Bracknell access to high-quality alternative education.

It brings together the established expertise of Maiden Erlegh Trust and Cranbury College in a new, expanded academy, offering five purposeful pathways, each focussing on different ages, stages and needs.

At the heart of Horizons is learning worth turning up for: learning young people connect with because they can see it is relevant to their lives, interests and future. It helps them build knowledge, skills and confidence, make progress and open up real-world opportunities.

Across Horizons, National Curriculum and vocational learning sit alongside a rich personal development and enrichment programme, giving young people different ways to learn, achieve, see their progress and feel good about themselves.

Our expert staff combine high expectations and high challenge with the support each young person needs to achieve their best, with specialist therapies available where needed.

National Curriculum and vocational learning sit alongside a rich personal development and enrichment programme.

Five purposeful pathways

Horizons Connect
Primary | Reading | Permanent Primary Pathway

A small primary setting where children build skills, experience new things and prepare for secondary school and young adulthood.

Horizons Launch
Primary Special School | Bracknell | Short-stay Primary Pathway

A short-stay pathway helping children make progress, build confidence and prepare for their next permanent placement.

Horizons Elevate
Secondary | Reading | Short-stay Secondary Pathway

A short-stay pathway helping young people make progress, achieve qualifications and prepare for their next permanent placement.

Horizons Haven
Hospital Learning | Royal Berkshire Hospital 

Helping children and young people continue learning and stay connected with their education while receiving medical care.

Horizons Succeed
Flexible Learning Pathway | All ages

Flexible ways to learn, develop practical skills and prepare for future opportunities because there is more than one way to succeed.

One academy. Five pathways. Shared ambition.

Every Horizons pathway offers learning worth turning up for to help children and young people make meaningful progress and achieve.

 

For more information about our pathways, please read our brochure HERE