Boland Companies Ltd

Companies Ltd

On 11 and 12 March 2026, Ofsted visited Boland Companies Ltd 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.

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Companies Ltd

Ofsted visits providers to find out whether they meet the minimum standards for online education set by the DfE (the standards). This report sets out what we found during our visit on 11 and 12 March 2026.You can find out whether this provider is accredited by the DfE at Get Information about Schools .

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Key findings

◼ Boland Companies Ltd meets all the minimum standards for online education. ◼ Boland emphasises pupil wellbeing and curriculum entitlement as being at the core of the provider. Teachers who have secure knowledge support pupils skilfully in lessons. Their effective lesson planning and sequencing help to ensure pupils understand what they are learning. Pupils say that they develop skills that better help them learn and access the broad curriculum on offer. Parents, pupils and teachers all talk about how timely communication is when help is requested. This creates positive relationships across the provision, which underpin pupils’ learning and wellbeing. ◼ The provider uses a structured commissioning model to identify the needs of individual pupils. This ensures that pupils can access an appropriate curriculum that is adapted to their needs and aptitudes. Commissioners speak highly about a provider where pupils can learn and progress.

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Key findings

◼ Since the previous accreditation visit, proprietors have undertaken a senior leadership restructure. This has resulted in leadership capacity being strengthened through a greater understanding of roles, responsibilities and knowledge. This enables the provider to meet all online accreditation standards. ◼ Senior leaders now recognise the impact of greater strategic thinking. They have expanded the provision through staff recruitment to establish effective leadership across the provider. Consequently, a process is now in place to review policies and associated documentation to mitigate risk and build on potential growth.

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Who is this online provider?

◼ Boland is an international online education provider based in Portsmouth, Hampshire. It provides online education that is accessed through any one of 4 advertised settings: Acorns to Oaks Online Primary School; International Online School and College Oxford; Cambridge Online School and College International; and Eureka Learning. Each setting has a specific enrolment cost, which differs between settings. The proprietorial company has 2 directors, and there are 2 heads of school. The provider aims to meet the needs of all pupils, many of whom may have previously found education difficult to access. ◼ Pupils study a planned curriculum that reflects the English national curriculum. Leaders have developed schemes of work from broader commercial curriculum products. Since the previous accreditation visit, leaders have carefully adapted these schemes to take full account of teaching in an online context. This has

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Who is this online provider?

provided pupils with the opportunity to study a suitable curriculum that now includes physical, creative and aesthetic subjects as part of their learning. ◼ Secondary pupils are taught planned content that is designed and based around exam board syllabuses. These pupils aim to achieve recognised international qualifications, such as iGCSEs and international A levels. The provider has recently been certified as an online examination centre. ◼ The curriculum includes careers education. During the accreditation visit, the provider held a careers week as part of this programme. Leaders carefully planned the week to give pupils the opportunity to hear speakers discuss their international employment in context. This was delivered as impartial advice about specialist careers. ◼ At the time of the previous accreditation visit, personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education was optional for pupils. This is no longer the case. All

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Who is this online provider?

full-time pupils are now taught PSHE, following a suitable scheme of work. This helps pupils to develop a wide range of areas of knowledge and skills. The PSHE curriculum also promotes pupils’ understanding of how to stay safe online. ◼ Currently, 114 school-age pupils study with Boland Companies Ltd full time. None of these pupils have an education, health and care (EHC) plan . Thirty-seven pupils live in England. Another 268 school-age pupils study with Boland Companies Ltd part time.

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How are pupils taught at Boland Companies Ltd?

◼ Pupils undertake classes with live remote teaching in all lessons. The lessons are also recorded. Therefore, pupils can access their daily timetable through either entering directly into live lessons or reviewing those previously taught, using an online learning platform. This is organised so that feedback and information about pupils’ progress can be shared with other staff, pupils and parents. Teachers provide an annual written report to parents. ◼ Pupils enrol at one of the 4 online settings that Boland operates. However, all pupils are educated together in the same classes and by the same teachers. The classes are structured by year groups, across either the primary or secondary sections of the provider. ◼ Teachers teach live lessons. No requirement exists for pupils to turn on their video cameras during any activity. However, as the confidence of pupils develops, they are more willing to engage visually in lessons. Class sizes are

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How are pupils taught at Boland Companies Ltd?

organised with up to a maximum of 10 pupils. The lessons themselves are between 30 and 50 minutes in duration. Pupils can access lessons, along with broader activities, through an online learning platform. This allows all pupils to acquire speaking, listening, literacy and numeracy skills and access activities that prepare them for life’s responsibilities and experiences. For instance, they can participate in the student council or other enrichment activities. ◼ Teachers plan their lessons using sequenced schemes of work. These allow them to skilfully support pupils in their learning. Teachers deliver subject content to meet the needs and aptitudes of all pupils. Effective sequencing in lessons helps pupils know and understand what they are learning. Teachers use effective questioning and include assessment to ensure that pupils progress in their learning. ◼ Teachers make efficient use of technology and resources to further learning.

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How are pupils taught at Boland Companies Ltd?

They make online lessons interesting. This includes pupils participating in practical activities. Teachers’ routine checking of pupils’ progress, along with wider information gathered from assessment and attendance monitoring, ensures pupils are well motivated and supports their wellbeing.

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keeping children safe?

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

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

and training. However, we found that the arrangements for keeping children safe at Boland Companies Ltd are appropriate. ◼ Leaders have established an effective process to support pupils’ safeguarding and welfare. Staff report concerns using an electronic system that alerts the designated safeguarding lead immediately. Leaders then take prompt and appropriate action, including contacting the relevant local authority, when necessary. Records of concerns are detailed. They demonstrate that leaders respond swiftly and effectively. Staff are well trained in safeguarding. However, although the provider’s safeguarding practice follows the most recent government guidance, leaders recognise that their safeguarding policy does not fully reflect this. ◼ The provider’s written risk assessment policy sets out how staff should manage risks associated with a range of activities. They complete suitable risk assessments that identify hazards and set appropriate control measures. Pupils

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

understand the risks associated with an online learning environment. They know how to stay safe online because they learn about it through planned lessons in PSHE. ◼ Leaders conduct appropriate checks on staff and maintain a detailed record of these checks.

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Boland Companies Ltd?

◼ Parents speak highly about the provider. They describe it as being a place where pupils can learn and progress without significant issues of poor behaviour or bullying. Parents praise the ‘super responsive’ nature of both teachers and leaders in responding to any concerns. Equally, pupils also like the way teachers interact with them in lessons. The pupils who responded to the online questionnaire said they enjoy lessons along with enrichment clubs and activities. Pupils told inspectors that chess club and creative writing are popular choices. They also said they feel teachers listen to them and respond swiftly to any concerns they have. All pupils who spoke with inspectors could remember their online safety education and understood that this helps keep them safe. ◼ Parents who spoke with inspectors or who responded to the online questionnaire share similarly positive views about the provider. They particularly praised the

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Boland Companies Ltd?

provider for the balance of high academic values and emphasis on pupil wellbeing and curriculum entitlement. Many parents reported that their children’s attitudes to education and overall wellbeing had changed for the better since attending Boland. ◼ The provider has developed clear professional relationships with local authorities through leaders fulfilling their responsibilities effectively. Appropriate admission and attendance registers are maintained, and information is shared to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils.

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About the visit

◼ This is Boland Companies Ltd’s second accreditation visit. John Lambern, His Majesty’s inspector (HMI) was the lead inspector, accompanied by Mark Quinn HMI.

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Compliance with the DfE’s standards for online education

This section reports on how well Boland Companies Ltd meets the standards for online education. It is included primarily for the benefit of the DfE, to help inform their decision whether to accredit Boland Companies Ltd. Boland Companies Ltd meets all of the applicable standards for online education set out by the DfE. The standards that are not applicable to Boland Companies Ltd are listed below:

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Compliance with the DfE’s standards for online education

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

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Section 1. Quality of education provided (curriculum)

The provider meets all the standards in section 1 of the standards.

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Section 2. Quality of education provided (teaching)

The provider meets all the standards in section 2 of the standards.

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pupils

The provider meets all the standards in section 3 of the standards.

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Section 4. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

The provider meets all the standards in section 4 of the standards.

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Section 5. Suitability of staff, supply staff and proprietors

The provider meets all the standards in section 5 of the standards.

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Section 6. Provision of information

The provider meets all the standards in section 6 of the standards.

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Section 7. Manner in which complaints are handled

The provider meets all the standards in section 7 of the standards.

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service

The provider meets all the standards in section 8 of the standards.

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The following standards do not apply to this provider:

◼ 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 6.3 only applies where a provider has a governing body ◼ Standards 6.8, 6.9 only apply where at least one full-time pupil at the provider is wholly or partly funded by a local authority

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Address

1000 Lakeside North Harbour Western Road Portsmouth PO6 3EZ

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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

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DfE unique reference number

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

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DfE unique reference number

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

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DfE unique reference number

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

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