Ofsted’s accreditation visit to Wendover Online School

Online School

On 25 and 26 February 2026, Ofsted visited Wendover Online School 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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Online School

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 25 and 26 February 2026. You can find out whether this provider is accredited by the DfE at Get Information about Schools .

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Key findings

◼ Wendover Online School meets all the minimum standards for online education. ◼ Wendover Online School is a powerhouse of learning. The quality of relationships between staff, pupils and parents is a significant strength. Staff work tirelessly to meet pupils’ needs. They are non-complacent and take time to ensure that pupils feel safe, secure and have someone with whom they can share any concerns. Pupils and their parents appreciate this level of care and support. As a result, pupils thrive and achieve very well. ◼ Leaders have established a broad curriculum offer, which is available for pupils from the primary phase through to the sixth form. There are a wide range of subjects available for children to study for both GCSEs and A levels. Teachers have a secure understanding of the subjects they teach, and learning is underpinned by comprehensive schemes of work. ◼ Leaders promote extensive opportunities for pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and

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Key findings

cultural development, including personal, social and health education and the promotion of fundamental British values. Staff have put in place a structured and impartial careers programme that supports older pupils in their next steps of education, training and employment. ◼ A significant strength of Wendover Online School is the support that staff provide for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff ensure that each pupil receives carefully tailored, individualised teaching that meets their needs. One parent told inspectors: ‘Wendover is an amazing school with outstanding teachers and leadership. It’s an educational gem!’

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Who is this online provider?

◼ Wendover Online School provides a British education for pupils between the ages of 6 and 19 years. The majority of pupils are registered as being electively home educated (EHE) and are placed at the setting by their parents. A few pupils are placed at Wendover Online School by local authorities. ◼ Pupils attend Wendover Online School for a variety of reasons. This includes pupils who, because of their social, emotional and mental health needs, have previously been out of education for significant periods of time; EHE pupils who are studying for formal qualifications, such as GCSE and A levels; elite athletes and sports professionals requiring the flexibility of an online education; and overseas pupils continuing their pathway through a British curriculum. ◼ Wendover Online School is organised into 4 phases: Primary (Years 2 to 6), Lower Secondary (Years 7 to 9), Upper Secondary (Years 10 and 11) and Sixth

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Who is this online provider?

Form (Years 12 and 13). Pupils in Years 2 to 9 study a broad curriculum. The curriculum is based on the English national curriculum, and leaders have ensured that the schemes of work are detailed and take account of the provider’s online context. Schemes of work are ambitious and take account of national qualifications, including GCSEs and A levels. ◼ Wendover Online School’s values underpin its approach both academically and outside of lessons. Staff provide individualised teaching and dedicated, knowledgeable and engaging support to pupils. Lessons are either one-to-one or in small groups, up to a maximum of 6 pupils. Pupils flourish in this nurturing environment. ◼ Outside of lessons, Wendover Online School provides pupils with regular assemblies and group tutorials. They are given opportunities to participate in a wide range of activities, including various after-school clubs, such as baking and chess, and contribute to the school newsletter. Recent highlights mentioned by

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Who is this online provider?

pupils, parents and staff alike were the school Nativity performance and a visit to Bletchley Park. ◼ Currently, 92 school-age pupils study with Wendover Online School full time. Eight of these pupils have an education, health and care (EHC) plan . Sixty-four pupils live in England. Another 20 school-age pupils study with Wendover Online School part time. ◼ At the time of this accreditation visit, there were no looked-after children on the roll of Wendover Online School. ◼ There are a number of post-16 learners studying with Wendover Online School.

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How are pupils taught at Wendover Online School?

◼ Leaders at Wendover Online School demonstrate a highly flexible approach to timetabling. Most pupils attend lessons in small groups of no more than 6 pupils, but, where deemed to be more appropriate, some pupils attend one-to-one lessons. This may be because they have other commitments, for example participating in elite sporting programmes, or because an individual pupil requires a more bespoke timetable, tailored to their academic and/or pastoral needs. ◼ All lessons are delivered live. However, they are also recorded to enable pupils to view lessons for which they were absent or to rewatch previous lessons and consolidate their learning. During lessons, teachers and pupils have their cameras on. Teachers use a range of approaches to communicate with pupils. Mostly, it is through verbal conversation, but teachers also use the chat function to check on pupils’ understanding. Teachers have taken the time to forge strong relationships

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How are pupils taught at Wendover Online School?

with their pupils, and as a result, pupils feel confident to play an active role in lessons. ◼ Across all key stages, teachers demonstrate secure subject knowledge. They know their pupils well and plan sequences of lessons that build upon pupils’ prior learning. Teachers skilfully use a range of approaches that enable pupils to acquire a deep understanding of the concepts being taught as well as the ability to think critically and apply their knowledge and skills when exploring new learning. ◼ Teachers use a wide range of resources to make lessons fully interactive. For example, pupils use simulation software to explore practical elements of the science curriculum. Pupils also use a range of media to demonstrate their work. This includes producing portfolios of their artwork and videos of themselves participating in the wider curriculum, for example in cookery sessions.

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for 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 Wendover Online School are appropriate. ◼ Safeguarding is a priority at Wendover Online School. Staff demonstrate a strong knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures. They act quickly to identify concerns and provide support. The designated safeguarding lead is very well trained and demonstrates secure and up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding. Wendover Online School’s policy is up to date and pays due regard to the latest guidance for schools provided by the Secretary of State. ◼ Leaders have established rigorous and robust recruitment processes. These include completion of all recommended checks to help ensure the suitability of all adults who work with children, including those who work from outside of England. Before being allowed to work with pupils, leaders provide new staff with a comprehensive induction procedure that includes additional safeguarding

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

training. Additionally, leaders deliver frequent safeguarding updates to all staff. This maintains their knowledge and vigilance to help protect pupils. ◼ Wendover Online School makes effective use of its monitoring and filtering systems to ensure that pupils and staff can work securely and safely. Leaders are supported by a skilled technical team, which maintains close scrutiny over the setting’s learning platform and e-safety practices. ◼ Leaders demonstrate a secure understanding of possible risks to pupils and staff and have implemented appropriate procedures to promote health and safety. Staff and pupils use their own devices to access lessons. However, leaders have carefully considered the risks and ensure that effective mitigations are in place.

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Wendover Online School?

◼ Pupils who spoke with inspectors, or who responded to the online questionnaire, painted an overwhelmingly positive picture of Wendover Online School. One pupil, typical of many, said: ‘My teacher is extremely enthusiastic about the subject, which makes it fun to learn and motivating.’ Another pupil said: ‘All teachers are kind and helpful. They will explain things until it is understood and clear. I am enjoying the extra-curricular activities. I have made a best friend in the school.’ Pupils told inspectors that they feel safe and are confident to work online at Wendover Online School because of the online safety training that they receive. ◼ Parents and commissioners who spoke with inspectors, or who responded to the online questionnaire, were typically full of praise. Parents described how teaching at Wendover had positively impacted their children. One parent, typical of many, told inspectors: ‘Wendover Online School has given us our child back. She is now

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Wendover Online School?

working at an age-appropriate level.’ Parents expressed their praise regarding the ease and effectiveness of communication between Wendover Online School and parents. This included the regular opportunities for physical and online meetings with staff. ◼ Pupils talk extremely positively about attitudes to learning at Wendover Online School. One pupil told inspectors that ‘everyone behaves well’. Pupils are confident that, even if there was any poor behaviour, staff would be quick to deal with it. ◼ Pupils appreciate the opportunities they are given to take responsibility and prepare for future leadership roles. These include serving on the school council and as buddies to other pupils. Pupils also like the opportunities they are given to meet up with their peers through trips. One pupil told inspectors: ‘I am a convert. There is nothing that can be improved.’

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About the visit

◼ This is Wendover Online School’s second accreditation visit. Damien Turrell, His Majesty’s Inspector (HMI) was the lead inspector, accompanied by Jonathan Dyer HMI.

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Compliance with the DfE’s standards for online education

This section reports on how well Wendover Online School meets the standards for online education. It is included primarily for the benefit of the DfE, to help inform their decision whether to accredit Wendover Online School.

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Compliance with the DfE’s standards for online education

Wendover Online School meets all the applicable standards for online education set out by the DfE. The standards that are not applicable to Wendover Online School 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

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Address

The Hif Blisworth Road Gayton Northampton NN7 3EY

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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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