EDClass Ltd

Ofsted’s accreditation visit to EDClass

On 24 and 25 April 2024, Ofsted visited EDClass as part of the Online Education Accreditation Scheme . Through this scheme, providers of full-time online education to school-age children in England can apply to the Department for Education (DfE) for accreditation.

p.1

Ofsted’s accreditation visit to EDClass

Ofsted visits providers to find out whether they meet the minimum standards for online education set by the DfE. This report sets out what we found during our visit on 24 and 25 April 2024. You can find out whether this provider is accredited by the DfE at Get Information about Schools .

p.1

Key findings

◼ EDClass meets all the minimum standards for online education. ◼ Led by a passionate and committed chief executive officer, leaders at EDClass have established a caring culture, rooted in high expectations and clear ambition for the pupils who attend the online setting. ◼ A significant strength of EDClass is the oversight of pupils’ well-being and safeguarding. Leaders have established robust systems that allow their knowledgeable staff to check continually on pupils’ welfare and engagement with learning. Consequently, staff respond swiftly and appropriately to any concerns they identify. ◼ Another significant strength of EDClass is the provision of carefully considered individualised schemes of work. Known as ‘learning pathways’, these take account of, and build on, the curriculum each pupil was following in their registered school prior to joining EDClass. This includes any specific exam syllabuses. As a result, when pupils return to mainstream education, they are

p.1

Key findings

well prepared to reintegrate into lessons. ◼ EDClass operates as an alternative provider. Leaders have ensured that the full breadth of curriculum areas required by the online education accreditation scheme’s standards are in place. However, opportunities to study aesthetic curriculum subjects are more limited. Leaders acknowledge that some pupils and parents would welcome the opportunity to study a wider range of subjects and are strengthening the setting’s provision for art, drama and music. ◼ Prior to a pupil starting at EDClass, staff work diligently with commissioning schools to secure detailed information about their needs. In addition, staff carefully analyse pupils’ progress information and share the data with commissioners. However, progress reports for parents are overly technical and difficult to understand. ◼ Leaders recognise that their systems for parental engagement are underdeveloped. As a result, they are unable to consider the views of all

p.1

Key findings

stakeholders when planning priorities for development.

p.2

Who is this online provider?

◼ EDClass operates as an alternative provider to support pupils who have difficulty in attending a physical school. It provides education for children from age 11 to 16 years. While attending EDClass, pupils remain on the register of a physical school. Pupils are either based at their homes or are supported to access the provision from within their registered schools. ◼ The setting’s curriculum is aligned with the English national curriculum and takes account of the online context in which EDClass operates. It provides a wide range of subjects for pupils to study, including English, mathematics, geography and individual sciences. Leaders have recently expanded the curriculum to encompass the study of art and are currently developing learning pathways in drama and music. Pupils also study personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education and spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) programmes. These

p.2

Who is this online provider?

develop pupils’ knowledge and self-esteem and prepare them for life in British society. ◼ Staff create individualised learning pathways for each pupil. These are based around the specific subjects commissioned for them by their registered physical school and focus predominately on English, mathematics and science. Where appropriate, older pupils study towards GCSEs, following the same syllabuses as used by the commissioning schools. ◼ Currently, 174 school-age pupils study with EDClass full time. Of these, 25 pupils have an education, health and care (EHC) plan . Nine children on the roll of EDClass are looked after by a local authority. All pupils attending EDClass live in England. ◼ At the time of this accreditation visit, another 440 school-age pupils were studying with EDClass part time.

p.2

How are pupils taught at EDClass?

◼ Learning activities at EDClass are undertaken live. Teachers, who all have qualified teacher status, supervise pupils following pre-determined sequences of engaging lessons that build on what they already know. These lessons are constructed using a wide-ranging library of well-crafted video resources and recorded lesson materials, created by EDClass teachers. Teachers make excellent use of technology to support and check on learning and to promote pupils’ engagement. Teachers are always visible and in contact with pupils, who have their cameras on whenever possible. This allows for effective interactions between participants. All sessions undertaken by pupils are recorded. ◼ Pupils learn individually in taught sessions. Subject-specialist teachers oversee and engage with no more than six or seven learners at a time. Consequently, teachers know their pupils well and have the requisite knowledge to provide

p.2

How are pupils taught at EDClass?

appropriate support to their learning. ◼ Teaching nurtures and supports pupils’ self-motivation and takes account of their needs. Staff plan precise learning activities to ensure that each pupil follows an appropriate sequence of lessons that helps to develop knowledge and understanding. Careful supervision and the effective use of electronic systems ensure that pupils waste no time in their learning. ◼ Teachers use skilful questioning to check pupils’ understanding. They use their meticulous analyses of assessments to identify and implement appropriate next steps for pupils’ learning. Staff regularly share detailed information with commissioners and parents about how well pupils have engaged with lessons and the progress that pupils have made. However, the information shared with parents is overly technical and can be difficult for them to understand.

p.3

children safe?

◼ Ofsted’s visits to online providers can give only a limited level of

p.3

inspections of schools and other providers of face-to-face education

and training. However, we found that the arrangements for keeping children safe at EDClass are appropriate. ◼ Safeguarding lies at the heart of all things in this setting. The designated leader for safeguarding is experienced in, and has a deep, expert knowledge of, safeguarding. Along with other leaders, she has developed a policy that is detailed and has due regard to guidance published by the Secretary of State. It is framed clearly to match the specific online context of the setting. Leaders strongly promote safeguarding and online safety and, as a result, staff have a secure understanding of their responsibilities. All staff who have contact with children are trained to the level expected of a designated safeguarding leader. The consistent implementation of well-designed procedures regarding safeguarding ensures that staff respond swiftly to any identified concerns and share information appropriately.

p.3

inspections of schools and other providers of face-to-face education

◼ Leaders have ensured that EDClass computer systems are secure and safe. They operate the setting to be distinct and separate from general internet traffic. Consequently, children do not need to make use of other websites or platforms while attending lessons. ◼ Health and safety policies are implemented effectively. The setting’s risk assessments show that leaders have thought carefully about the safety of people in the setting’s premises, and for pupils using the setting online.

p.3

EDClass

◼ Pupils typically have a positive view of EDClass. They specifically praised the way they can work on their learning without distraction and the quality of support they receive from subject-specialist teachers. That said, some pupils wished that they could study a wider range of subjects while attending EDClass. ◼ Parents and carers who responded to the online questionnaire also typically expressed positive views of EDClass. Parents comments highlight the caring staff and the wide range of materials available to support their child’s learning. However, some parents stated that they would like to see more subjects offered for children to study and that leaders should consider how the setting’s online platform can be fully accessible to those with visual impairments. ◼ Commissioners demonstrate a positive view of what the EDClass provision offers. This is demonstrated by their high rate (over 85%) of re-commissioning places

p.4

About the visit

◼ This is EDClass‘s first accreditation visit. John Nixon His Majesty’s Inspector (HMI) was the lead inspector, accompanied by Mark Quinn HMI. The inspection received an on-site quality assurance visit by Jonathan Dyer HMI.

p.4

education

This section reports on how well EDClass meets the standards for online education.

p.5

education

EDClass meets all of the applicable standards for online education set out by the DfE (‘the standards’). The standards that are not applicable to EDClass are listed below.

p.5

education

The full list of standards can be found in DfE’s guidance on meeting the online education standards .

p.5

The following standards do not apply to this provider:

◼ Standard 1.8 only applies where the provider has at least one full-time pupil of above compulsory school age. ◼ Standard 5.8 only applies if a staff member lives or has lived outside of the UK. ◼ Standards 5.11, 5.12, 5.13, 5.14, 5.16, 5.17, 5.18 only apply where the provider uses supply staff. ◼ Standard 5.22 only applies if a proprietor lives or has lived outside of the UK. ◼ Standard 5.23 only applies where an enhanced criminal check is made on a proprietor and the certificate has been provided to the Secretary of State. ◼ Standard 6.3 only applies where a provider has a governing body. ◼ Standards 6.5, 6.10 only apply where a report on the provider has been published under the Online Education Accreditation Scheme at the time of the visit.

p.5

Address

Aston House Campbell Way Dinnington Sheffield S25 3QD

p.6

DfE unique reference number

regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to

p.7

DfE unique reference number

the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

DfE unique reference number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

DfE unique reference number

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7