Education Today Education Today Magazine
We have witnessed the benefits of digitalisation across sectors, and its impact in education is no less astounding. Online schools provide students with a unique opportunity to learn in a tailored, distraction-free and engaging environment. Much of that is due to advanced tools and platforms that facilitate communication and enable personalised support. Yet, there are still a few misconceptions about online education which may pose some questions to schools and parents.
For alternative provision especially, many misconceptions still exist, despite online AP being a cost-effective and high-quality option. With that in mind, we have answered some of the most common questions parents, schools and local authorities may have about online AP.
Who’s regulating online AP?
The Department for Education recently introduced the Online Education Accreditation Scheme (OEAS), and Academy21 is incredibly proud to be the first ever DfE-accredited online alternative provision. The OEAS sets very rigorous standards for the sector, which helps providers assert their quality and ensure the highest standards of teaching, safeguarding, and student welfare. It also offers peace of mind to schools, local authorities and parents who may be new to online AP or have some reservations, giving them confidence that providers like Academy21 offer a comprehensive, effective, and high-quality solution for their students.
Students’ future: where does alternative provision take them?
At Academy21, our primary goal is to support students’ individual needs and help them achieve the best outcomes for them. When it’s right for the student, this often means reintegrating back into full-time, mainstream education. It’s important to work closely with schools and local authorities to understand what the best path and approach for each student is, as well as students’ own career goals.
And is the quality of education high enough?
Education can be just as high-quality in an online setting as in mainstream school environments. At Academy21, we have exceptional, highly qualified teachers that are not only experts in the subjects they teach but have the relevant experience and training in supporting students with a diverse set of needs.
Curriculum is equally important. The Academy21 curriculum is broad and balanced, providing students with all the skills they need to continue pursuing education and progressing in their learning and personal lives. Plus, our curriculum is complemented with advanced learning technologies to make classes more interactive, engaging, and personalised.
Will students with poor attendance engage in online classes?
We’re often asked, ‘if my student isn’t engaged in school, why will online help them?’. What we find is that, for many, when the pressures and distractions of in-person learning are removed, they are free to relax and focus on the class at hand. Teachers work hard to deliver interactive, adaptive and engaging lessons. Initially, new students may not fully participate, and the goal may be simply to improve their participation in class. However, with the encouragement of their teachers, we find that even the most anxious of students will start to engage in the classroom over time, through polls, quizzes, or chat pods.
In our recent student voice survey, 91% of students said they feel more confident in their learning since joining Academy21. “I am able to learn properly but without anxiety” was a common theme among the responses from students.
Can online learning be unsafe?
We take safety very seriously at Academy21 and have a safeguarding-first approach to all that we do. This is reflected in our secure systems, our robust set of policies, close pupil supervision, recruitment practices, and online student safety training, which ensures a safe environment for every student. This was also highlighted in our Ofsted report, which deemed Academy21’s safeguarding to be effective.
If you are interested in learning about online alternative provision and how Academy21 works, visit our website Academy21.co.uk. We are committed to working closely with schools and local authorities, delivering a tailored solution that meets each student’s needs.
