Paula Halfpenny, a secondary school maths teacher from Gateshead, has launched a new alternative education provision aimed at supporting young people who have struggled in mainstream school settings.
The programme provides a small group learning environment for students aged 11 to 16, blending core subjects including English and maths with music, DJ tuition and creative media.
Alternative provisions support students who may struggle in mainstream education and benefit from smaller class sizes, specialist staff, and a more personalised approach. While many alternative settings focus on areas such as hair and beauty, construction or outdoor learning, Paula’s provision is unique in its specialism: music and DJing.
“I’ve been a teacher for 25 years and a DJ for over 20,” Paula explains.
“This project brings my two passions together. Students don’t need to already love music — the aim is to help them become more creative, build confidence, and reconnect with learning.”
Paula believes that creativity plays a vital role in education and wellbeing.
“If a young person feels happy, confident and safe, they are far more open to learning. Music creates connection. It helps build resilience, confidence and self-belief — and those things unlock progress in English and maths too.”
The provision takes a holistic approach, focusing on the whole child rather than just academic outcomes. Learning is delivered through shorter activities, games, quizzes and creative projects, with plenty of opportunities for students to experience both success and setbacks.
“Learning how to lose, try again and keep going is incredibly important,” says Paula.
“That’s how we build resilience.”
Alongside Paula, the provision will work with classroom assistants as well as visiting professionals from the creative industries. These include professional DJs, actors, singers, filmmakers and behind-the-scenes media workers, offering masterclasses and insight into careers both on and off stage.
“I want young people to understand that there are so many roles in music, film and TV — not just being in front of the camera. There’s a whole world of opportunities they might never have considered.”
Most students will be referred through schools, with placements authorised as part of alternative provision arrangements. However, the provision is also open to parent-funded placements, including flexible options for families who home educate and wish their child to attend for one or more days per week.
Alongside her teaching career, Paula performs as a DJ under the name Sista Paula. She has played across Newcastle and the North East, including at Lindisfarne Festival and Hardwick Festival, as well as numerous bars and clubs in the region. Her current project blends DJ sets with live drummers, creating Afro-inspired, Brazilian and Latin-influenced dance music.
“This provision is about opening doors,” Paula says.
“Helping young people feel confident, creative and capable — and showing them that education can work for them.”
