Remote vs Online Alternative Provision – Transforming Behaviour and Positively Reintegrating
EDClass Ltd
"EDClass operates as an alternative provider to support pupils who have difficulty in attending a physical school.”
Recent government statistics?have highlighted that 23% of secondary schools are at capacity or have exceeded it which is up from 14% in 2015/16 and similar to 2021/22. This exemplifies how online educational services can offer an extra layer of support when implemented correctly.
There has been a debate over the nuances between remote education and online alternative provision (AP). It has been highlighted by some that online AP can't be a viable option for record attendance. The suspension and permanent exclusion guidance outlines:
“It is important that during a suspension, pupils still receive their education. Headteachers should take steps to ensure that work is set and marked for pupils during the first five school days of a suspension. This can include utilising any online pathways such as Google Classroom or Oak National Academy. The school’s legal duties to pupils with disabilities or SEN remain in force, for example, to make reasonable adjustments in how they support disabled pupils during this period. Any time a pupil is sent home due to disciplinary reasons and asked to log on or utilise online pathways should always be recorded as a suspension.” –?Suspension and Permanent Exclusion Guidance 2023
However, online AP can truly be an effective way to record attendance and transform behaviour and engagement. Granted, online AP is a form of remote education as students learn from any location they feel comfortable in. But, the difference revolves around a few factors during due diligence checks:
Ultimately, online AP should be a transformative period in a child’s life that offers another outlook toward education and it can allow them to slowly reintegrate when possible.
Overcoming behavioural barriers and claiming attendance?
The working together to improve school attendance guidance highlights:
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“Code B: Off-site educational Activity
252. Ultimately schools are responsible for the safeguarding and welfare of pupils educated off-site. Therefore, by using code B, schools are certifying that the education is supervised, and measures have been taken to safeguard the pupil. Schools should ensure that they have in place arrangements whereby the provider of the educational activity notifies the school of any absences by the pupil. The school should record the pupil’s absence using the relevant absence code.” –?Working together to improve school attendance?
Code B can be successfully claimed if the above criteria are met. There also needs to be effective tracking in place regarding attendance and attainment. As long as there are visible and actionable steps to improve attendance this will look favourably in Ofsted’s eyes and what separates online AP from remote education.
Online AP can also be beneficial for overcoming behavioural challenges that students exhibit. Certain platforms can provide a different option for students to allow them to focus on behaviour repair with one-to-one support away from the pressure of peers. Read our blog on 5 reasons students’ behaviour improves with online learning?here.
EDClass’s online alternative provision
EDClass Ltd has been used flexibly with a variety of schools and trusts throughout the UK.?Whitby High School, in Cheshire, recently provided their video testimonial and they highlighted how beneficial it was with the hybrid approach. Students with anxiety or behavioural challenges could reintegrate back into the mainstream through less pressured means.
EDClass Ltd has also been spreading the potential of online AP at several events. We attended MAT Partnership Network (MATPN) North in Manchester this month and will be attending Ahmedia ' and Westminster Insight conferences next month too, so come and visit us. In addition to this, you can also access our EDClass Ltd Insight on claiming attendance online and transforming behaviour?here.??
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