Education shaped around the young person

MIAG was founded by Julian Alsop in 2020, following his earlier work supporting young people through highly individualised education programmes. What began as mentoring developed into an Alternative Learning Provider, creating bespoke programmes for young people who struggled to access or sustain mainstream education.

At The Beeches in Brislington, our approach was simple “Not all classrooms have four walls”.

Learning could happen through academic study, sport, construction, horticulture, creative arts, hair and beauty and practical experiences that helped young people reconnect with education and discover their strengths.

Julian’s own experience of education and achievement of a degree, remains central to the MIAG philosophy “If I can do it, anyone can.”

Having successfully established Hambling View, our Independent Special School in Bath, the ambition was to achieve the same at The Beeches — to create a school that offered an alternative mix of academic and vocational educational options.

A school where young people with SEND and Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs could receive a high-quality, full-time education designed around their individual needs and aspirations, where relationships, confidence, independence, practical skills and preparation for adulthood matter alongside academic achievement.

Following significant development across curriculum, teaching, safeguarding, governance, leadership, premises, systems and quality assurance, MIAG underwent its Ofsted pre-registration inspection in February 2026.

In April 2026, the dream became a reality. MIAG became a Department for Education registered Independent Special School, providing education for young people aged 7–16 at The Beeches.

For Julian our founder this represents the realisation of a vision built on one simple belief: young people deserve an education that sees who they are and helps them become who they can be.

But registration is not the end. It is the beginning of the next chapter. The dream has become a school. Now we get to build its future and to create something very special.