One of the most effective ways to begin your journey of bringing Alpha Youth into schools is by approaching the Head Teacher, Head of Year, R.E teachers or other contacts you have in the school. While this can sometimes feel challenging, it’s an invaluable opportunity to start building strong relationships with the school. It's important to approach the conversation with a mindset of service and support, rather than dictating what the school should do. Remember, Alpha Youth is just one way we can assist the school in meeting its needs. Here are some key things to keep in mind as you move forward:

  • Identify Key Contacts – Find the right person to approach based on the school’s leadership structure (e.g., Head of RE or Pastoral Care).

  • Be Sensitive to School Culture – Understand the school’s values and tailor your approach to fit the school’s climate and concerns. Ensure that volunteers understand the school’s culture and adapt their language, context, and approach accordingly.

  • Provide Clear Benefits – Emphasise the positive impacts of Alpha Youth, such as promoting well-being and offering students a space to explore life’s big questions.

  • Acknowledge Concerns – Address objections, like fairness or staff involvement, by reassuring the school that Alpha Youth is voluntary and respectful of all beliefs.

  • Offer Support – Assure the school that you will provide training and resources, making the program easy for staff to implement without extra burdens.

  • Tailor Your Approach – Customize your proposal to meet the specific needs and goals of each school, avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach.

  • Create Pilot Opportunities – Offer to run a trial session to show the program’s value before asking for a long-term commitment.

ALIGNMENT WITH THE UK CURRICULUM

The Alpha Youth Series support several key areas of the UK curriculum, particularly in Religious Education (RE), Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE), and Citizenship. Here’s how you can help communicate the benefits of Alpha Youth to the school:

  • The sessions contribute to the statutory RE syllabus by:

  • Exploring what Christians believe about life, faith, and purpose.

  • Encouraging understanding of religious and non-religious worldviews.

  • Discussing Christianity’s influence on culture, history, and ethics.

  • Providing an opportunity for students to engage in balanced discussions about belief.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (RE)

SIAMS

Alpha Youth helps students explore faith in a real, relational way—supporting the school’s Christian ethos. Supports RE & Spiritual Growth, deepening understanding of Christianity as a lived faith and creates space for reflection and discussion.Builds Inclusive Community, Alpha is open to all, encourages respectful dialogue, and gives students a voice—aligning with SIAMS value.

PSHE (PERSONAL, SOCIAL, HEALTH & ECONOMIC EDUCATION)

The programme connects with the PSHE Association guidelines, particularly in:

  • Personal Development: Encouraging self-reflection, values, and personal responsibility.

  • Healthy Relationships: Discussing love, forgiveness, kindness, and reconciliation from a Christian perspective.

  • Resilience & Wellbeing: Exploring purpose, identity, and personal values as understood in Christianity.

CITIZENSHIP & SMSC (SPIRITUAL, MORAL, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

Alpha Youth support the SMSC framework by:

  • Spiritual Development: Enabling students to explore questions of belief, meaning, and identity.

  • Moral Development: Discussing ethical dilemmas, justice, and responsibility through a Christian lens.

  • Social Development: Encouraging respectful dialogue and critical thinking about different perspectives.

  • Cultural Development: Examining Christianity's role in shaping history, values, and contemporary society.

OFSTEAD PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT & SMSC LINKS

Ofsted assesses Personal Development as a core part of school life. Alpha Youth align with this by:

  • Supporting students in reflecting on beliefs, values, and identity.

  • Encouraging respectful discussion about ethical and philosophical topics.

  • Enhancing cultural and religious literacy, preparing students for a diverse society.

Within the SMSC framework, the sessions specifically help schools:

  • Promote understanding and tolerance of different perspectives.

  • Encourage critical thinking about belief and identity.

  • Develop students’ confidence in discussing big questions in a respectful and open setting.

  • Each session encourages critical thinking, allowing students to express a range of perspectives.

  • The format is relaxed and pressure-free, allowing young people to explore Christian beliefs with no expectation to agree or commit.