Ofsted gradings are crucial for a school’s reputation, and whatever alternative provision a school uses could be detrimental to its final evaluation.
An online alternative provision, with the correct measures in place, could be beneficial for schools in search of a solution to support their students in need.
Recently, unregistered alternative provisions have come under scrutiny concerning their authenticity and usefulness. However, there are online alternative provisions that can address many students’ challenges they may be experiencing.
Schools have the responsibility to choose the best provision that can meet the certain needs of a student. According to statistics:
“The unregistered AP sector educates some of most vulnerable children in England. Around 65% of pupils placed in unregistered AP by local authorities have an education, health and care plan. We know that 81% of pupils in AP have SEND.”
Unregistered APs are valuable and an online alternative provision, in today’s digital age, can be advantageous.
Here are five ways in which choosing an effective online alternative provision can improve your Ofsted grading after looking at its requirements:
1. Boost attendance with the right provision
Some schools may find it difficult to sustain a good standard if attendance records aren’t up to scratch.
Good attendance records are imperative for Ofsted requirements and it can be difficult to sustain those standards if they have students who cannot access a mainstream setting. Ofsted states:
“Inspectors will evaluate the improvement in pupils’ attendance from their starting points when this is relevant. Inspectors will also evaluate the ways in which leaders take account of pupils’ weak attendance in their safeguarding systems and the clarity of their attendance recording.”
Ofsted delves into the attendance records of schools to ensure students are learning, but also to guarantee their safety during learning hours.
Attendance codes can be claimed on an online alternative provision if the right one is chosen.
By boosting attendance rates it can subsequently improve the attainment levels of students.
2. Raise Attainment Levels
Many students’ end goal is to attain grades to either progress onto a sixth form or colleges to complete their A-levels. Ofsted highlights: `
“When evaluating pupils’ attainment and progress, inspectors will consider the ways in which leaders have identified, assessed and met the needs of pupils. They will evaluate the progress that pupils have made since they began to attend the alternative provision.”
You must choose a provider that meets the specific needs of students. Finding a suitable provision that matches your curriculum will help engage learners and also raise your school’s image in Ofsted’s eyes.
3. Safeguarding students is vital for Ofsted
Ensuring the safety of students whilst they are learning on-site or remotely should be the most crucial element a school should be looking at when supporting their child’s education. Ofsted states:
“In the same way as with other schools, inspectors will evaluate the ways in which leaders have made appropriate and effective safeguarding arrangements for pupils in the light of their higher vulnerability to safeguarding risks, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Identifying a student’s needs and classifying whether they are a safeguarding risk will help schools raise their Ofsted grades. Taking a meticulous approach to support a student’s education safely allows Ofsted to see the benefits you are proving by choosing the most suitable provider.
There will be those who cannot access a mainstream setting and so an online alternative provision could be of great benefit to them. Providers chosen need to be scrutinised with their services by schools so that students will be able to continue their education in a learning environment that is safe and secure in terms of wellbeing and academic development.
4. Reintegration is key
Reintegrating students should be the ultimate goal for students attending an alternative provision. Ofsted:
“will look at whether [the provider] sets expectations that reintegration back into mainstream education is a key component of a placement. Inspectors will look at whether the provider has adapted the approach to securing a good transition for every pupil in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Students placed on an online alternative provision must have their needs addressed before a positive reintegration occurs.
Students can focus on behaviour repair and studies away from any distractions or other instances where they may experience lapses in judgment on an online AP.
An online alternative provision can be a perfect model to help students as they can work in an environment that suits their specific needs.
This can also help a school with their Ofsted requirements as they promote a positive reintegration for said pupils which can benefit all involved.
5. Behaviour repair that helps exclusions
Ofsted highlights how schools need to provide evidence of how they contribute to improving pupils’ behaviour and attitudes, stating this factor:
“setting clear routines and expectations for the behaviour of pupils across all aspects of school life, not just in the classroom.”
Identifying early where a student needs support can help implement a timely intervention that will allow them to become re-engaged.
Certain behaviour-repair lessons can allow students to elevate their understanding of their behaviour and how to amend it accordingly. This can help a school’s Ofsted grade as the number of exclusions goes down and attendance grades can be claimed if the right provider is chosen.
An effective online alternative provision can help
EDClass can provide education for students remotely with one-to-one support from qualified teachers. Despite being an unregistered provider, the system still adheres to government guidance and provides effective support to students who require it. Ultimately, schools are still responsible for safeguarding and ensuring the provision chosen is suitable for a student.
In addition to this, Ofsted needs to oversee the performance of a school and make sure that its budget is not wasted and pupil premium is spent effectively. This exemplifies why EDClass is so effective due to how much value for money the platform is.
Schools can claim attendance codes when their students use the system and it supports Emotional Based School Avoidance by successfully supplying education in a suitable learning environment for students.
If you would like to learn more about an effective online alternative provision, then call the team on 01909 568338, send an email to mail@edclass.com, or book a free online demonstration here or by clicking the image below.
