Secure School

A form of youth custody designed to be "schools with security" rather than "prisons with education".  

Following recommendations in the 2016 Taylor Review of the Youth Justice System in England and Wales, the then-Government’s 2019 manifesto committed to trialling secure schools run by specialist, child-focused providers required to place education, health and purposeful activity at the heart of youth custody. 

The idea is that secure schools will have child-focused providers, strong leaders (Headteachers) with freedom and autonomy, a specialised workforce, and holistic provision with education, healthcare and physical activity at its heart.  

Secure schools will be dual established as Secure Children’s Homes and 16-19 academies . In the long term the Government’s intention is that secure schools will replace Young Offender Institutions (YOIs) and Secure Training Centres (STCs). Secure schools are expected to offer places to around 60-70 young people who currently go to YOIs and STCs. The security level at a secure school is equivalent to a SCH rather than to a YOI or STC. 

The first secure school, Oasis Restore Secure School, reopened in 2026 in Rochester, Kent after it had shut down in 2025 due to safety concerns.