Alternative Provision: A DfE-accredited Solution for Schools and MATs

DfE-accredited Online Alternative Provision

EDClass is a DfE-accredited alternative provider of online education designed to support pupils who thrive outside the traditional classroom setting.

EDClass delivers live teaching, live teaching support, live wellbeing and live safeguarding that meet every statutory duty under the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026, KCSIE, the SEND Reform and Improvement Plan, Ofsted’s Inclusion Framework, and DfE suspension and exclusion guidance.

Unlike internal alternative provision (IAP), which is managed on-site by a school, our Alternative Provision (AP) is a service provided off-site, often for learners who cannot attend school at all.

This includes learners with EOTAS needs, EBSA, school phobia, or those under Section 19 of the Education Act. We provide a proven partner in meeting your school’s AP needs, while ensuring the safety, engagement, and academic progress of every learner.

Our comprehensive solution adheres to the highest standards set by legislation and guidance such as KCSIE, the SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan, and Ofsted’s EIF/school inspection handbook.

Our platform, comprising EDTeach, EDLive, EDSafe, EDInclude, and EDNurture, is designed to support students who are disengaged or unable to attend a physical school, whether within an internal alternative provision (IAP) unit or through our fully managed off-site alternative provision (AP).

We help schools reduce exclusions, manage behaviour, and ensure a high-quality, continuous curriculum for all learners.

As noted in our Ofsted report:

"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. Leaders at EDClass have established a caring culture, rooted in high expectations and clear ambition for the pupils who attend the online setting."
Ofsted - EDClass Report April 2024

Aligning AP and Inclusion Bases with UK Statutory Frameworks

The UK education landscape has shifted significantly. Schools and Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) face strict statutory mandates regarding attendance tracking, exclusion protocols, and inclusion base management.

EDClass provides the infrastructure, data, real-time engagement, live teaching, live support, and live safeguarding required across all primary legislative frameworks:

Statutory / Guidance Framework	Core Mandate for AP and Inclusion Bases	How EDClass Delivers Complete Compliance
Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026	Universal tracking, preventing missing-in-education risks, and maintaining total visibility of vulnerable cohorts in AP/IAP.	Automates active study tracking, attendance metrics, and daily engagement logs. Connects off-site, dual-registered, or medically absent pupils instantly to live teaching, live support, and live safeguarding.
Inclusion Bases and Internal Isolation (IAP)	Structured, meaningful learning during internal inclusions, detentions, or nurture room placements to avoid academic stagnation.	EDInclude replaces unmonitored paper worksheets with diagnostic, curriculum-aligned tasks that mark automatically, backed by live support to allow internal staff to focus on reflection while core learning continues uninterrupted.
DfE Suspension and Exclusion Guidance	High-quality, live-streamed education from Day 6 (or Day 1 for Looked After Children) and structured support to prevent permanent exclusion.	EDLive deploys live timetabled lessons in core subjects alongside live safeguarding from hour one, maintaining academic momentum and providing a calm, structured bridge for successful reintegration.
Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE)	Continuous safeguarding oversight, web filtering, active monitoring of off-site learners, and early DSL alert escalation.	EDSafe acts as a live defensive perimeter - running real-time web filtering, search monitoring, and immediate welfare alert escalation directly to your school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) team.
SEND Reform and Improvement Plan	Early identification of needs, high aspirations, adaptive teaching, and stigma-free targeted interventions.	EDTeach and EDInclude+ deliver gap-driven catch-up, live support, and direct specialist human scaffolding in low-arousal, private virtual spaces tailored specifically for SEND and neurodivergent pupils.
Ofsted’s Inclusion Framework	Quality assurance of alternative provision, high academic ambitions for disadvantaged pupils, and clear evidence of progress.	Generates unalterable, audit-proof digital archives of learning, progress, attendance, marked work, diagnostic growth metrics, and minuted termly review panels ready for inspection teams.

The EDClass Ecosystem for Alternative Provision

EDClass offers a strategic and holistic approach to AP, addressing the academic, behavioural, and emotional needs of students through our interconnected platforms: EDTeach, EDLive, EDSafe, EDInclude, and EDNurture.

Tailored Learning and Academic Attainment

Our EDTeach platform provides a fully personalised learning experience that caters to each student's unique needs.

Unlike a one-size-fits-all approach, EDTeach enables our UK-qualified teachers to create bespoke learning pathways that match the curriculum a student was following in their mainstream school.

This is crucial for students who have been out of school for a long time or have significant learning gaps. Our teachers use live interactions to provide targeted support, helping to close the attainment gap for vulnerable learners and ensuring they are well-prepared for reintegration into mainstream lessons.

Rebuilding Connections and Confidence

For students who have become disengaged from traditional education due to anxiety or school phobia, the EDLive platform is a game-changer.

It provides live, face-to-face teaching and wellbeing support in a safe and secure online environment. This helps to build rapport and trust between the student and teacher, reducing the social pressures that may have contributed to their school avoidance.

By providing one-to-one support from a compassionate teacher, we help students regain confidence and a sense of belonging, which is vital for their emotional well-being and future success.

Behavioural Interventions and Safeguarding

EDSafe is our robust solution for addressing behavioural challenges in a secure, online space. For students with a history of behavioural issues or those who have been permanently excluded, EDSafe provides a structured, comprehensive behaviour repair curriculum aligned with DfE exclusion codes.

Our expert DSLs and DDSLs ensure that safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. The platform's live sessions are monitored, and students have an alert system to report any concerns, providing a safe and productive environment where they can learn to manage their emotions and develop positive coping mechanisms.

A Flexible and Inclusive Curriculum

EDInclude ensures that all students, regardless of their circumstances, can access a broad and balanced curriculum.

This is particularly beneficial for students on AP, as it allows them to explore vocational subjects, PSHE, and other areas that may be more engaging and relevant to them.

The platform removes geographical barriers and offers accessibility features, making education available to students with SEND or those who are unable to attend school due to illness.

Wellbeing as a Foundation for Learning

Our EDNurture framework addresses the social, emotional, and mental health needs of students. It provides a crucial first step for those with EBSA or school phobia, focusing on resilience, emotional regulation, and self-esteem.

By addressing these core issues, we create a supportive learning environment that helps students feel safe and secure, allowing them to overcome their anxieties and re-engage with education.

EDClass works in partnership with your school or MAT to deliver support and online education, empowering every pupil to succeed, regardless of their past experiences.

How EDClass Improves Outcomes, Progress, and Attainment

EDClass aims to provide a flexible, supportive, and effective alternative provision that can benefit students, schools, MATs, and Local Authorities.

We achieve this by focusing on three key areas: personalised learning, enhanced wellbeing, and robust progress monitoring.

Personalised Learning Journeys & Academic Attainment

EDClass recognises that not all students learn the same way or at the same pace. Our platform provides personalised learning pathways that cater to individual needs, learning styles, and abilities.

This allows students to work at their own speed, focusing on areas where they need extra support and moving ahead when they're ready. This is particularly beneficial for students who have gaps in their learning or those who require a more flexible approach.

Improved Attainment: EDClass is designed to help students achieve academic success. It can be used for GCSE revision and preparation, particularly for students who are not attending school regularly.

The platform's assessment and feedback tools help to track student progress and identify areas where they need additional support. By providing access to quality education and support, EDClass helps to close the attainment gap for vulnerable learners.

Access to UK-Qualified Teachers: Teaching support also includes access to DSLs, SEND, and Trauma-informed support teachers. While online, EDClass emphasises the importance of the student-teacher relationship.

One-to-one support from UK-qualified teachers allows for personalised attention and helps students feel valued and understood. This can be especially important for students who may have struggled to form positive relationships in mainstream settings.

Enhanced Learner Wellbeing

Traditional school settings can be overwhelming for some students, leading to anxiety, stress, or behavioural challenges. EDClass provides a safer and more supportive learning environment, reducing social pressures and allowing students to focus on their education.

A Safe and Supportive Space: For students who have experienced bullying or intimidation, online learning can offer a refuge where they can learn without fear.

Qualified teachers provide one-to-one support, building rapport and trust, which can significantly improve learner well-being.

Enhanced Safeguarding: EDClass has tools to monitor student engagement and attendance, which can be valuable for schools. It provides a safe and secure learning environment, with safeguarding features to protect students.

This is especially important for students who may be at risk or who have experienced challenges in traditional school settings. Live sessions can be monitored, and students have an alert system to report any concerns.

Accessibility and Inclusivity

EDClass can provide education to students who are unable to attend mainstream school for various reasons (e.g., illness, behavioural issues, anxiety). It removes geographical barriers, allowing students to learn from anywhere with an internet connection.

Inclusivity for All: The platform can be adapted to accommodate students with special educational needs (SEND), offering features like customisable font sizes, styles, and audio assistance.

Alternative provision isn't just about core subjects. EDClass often provides a broader and more balanced curriculum than some traditional settings.

This can include vocational subjects, PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education), and other areas that may be more relevant and engaging for disengaged learners. It allows students to explore their interests and develop skills that will prepare them for adulthood.

Temple Moor High School

Link AP Academy

Stokesley School

Safeguard and Teach Your Most Vulnerable Learners

Extensive Safeguarding

“Safeguarding lies at the heart of all things in this setting” – EDClass Ofsted Report, April2024.

Secure and Private Environment

EDClass provides a fully supervised and safe online space for vulnerable learners. Our DSLs, DDSLs, and UK Qualified Teachers prioritise the safety and well-being of all learners, offering a secure and supportive environment where they can thrive.

Early Intervention

Our team are expertly trained and qualified to identify and address potential safeguarding concerns promptly which impacts your Alternative Provision.

Collaborative Partnerships

EDClass works closely with all stakeholders to ensure the well-being, teaching, and safety of vulnerable learners, and to address their behavioural, SEND, and educational needs

Internal Alternative Provision (IAP)

For schools and MATs managing their own on-site IAP, EDClass is a key element that enhances your existing capacity. Our platform provides a structured, fully safeguarded environment that ensures students in your behaviour rooms, inclusion units, or isolation rooms receive meaningful, productive learning.

EDInclude & EDTeach for Curriculum Continuity

Our basic EDInclude package, which is part of every subscription, allows you to use EDClass as a whole-school resource for your IAP.

This helps you be inclusive and tick a huge box for Ofsted by providing students with instant access to core curriculum lessons, ensuring learning is maintained during sanctions.

Our EDTeach platform supports this by allowing your staff to assign tailored learning pathways and track progress.

EDLive for On-Demand Support

The enhanced EDInclude package, with a dedicated investment, provides access to our UK-qualified teachers who can communicate with students verbally and in writing via EDLive.

This bridges the gap between in-person supervision and expert, subject-specific teaching, allowing your in-house staff to focus on pastoral care while our teachers deliver a full and balanced curriculum.

EDSafe for Behaviour Repair

Our EDSafe platform provides a comprehensive behaviour repair curriculum that aligns with the official DfE exclusion codes.

Students in your IAP unit can use this to engage in structured reflection and behaviour work, reducing the likelihood of future incidents and preparing them for reintegration.

This is a powerful intervention tool that significantly reduces problems for Heads of Year and Behaviour Managers.

Online Alternative Provision (AP)

For students who cannot attend a physical school at all—including those with EOTAS needs, EBSA, school phobia, or those on Section 19 provision—EDClass offers a fully managed, DfE-accredited online Alternative Provision.

EDLive & EDNurture for Wellbeing

EDLive provides real-time, one-to-one interaction with our teachers, helping to rebuild rapport and trust for students who have become disengaged or anxious.

Our EDNurture framework offers a crucial first step for students with EBSA or mental health issues, providing a safe, nurturing space for wellbeing sessions that focus on emotional regulation and resilience before academic work begins.

EDTeach for Personalised Learning

Our EDTeach platform is essential for these students. Our qualified teachers create bespoke learning pathways that take into account and build on the curriculum they were following in their mainstream school.

This ensures they can catch up on missed education, work toward their qualifications (e.g. GCSEs), and have a smooth transition back to a school-based setting when they are ready.

EDSafe for Behavioural Support

For permanently excluded students, EDSafe provides a continuous, structured curriculum alongside a behaviour repair program.

Our platform and dedicated safeguarding team ensure that these vulnerable students are protected and have access to the education and support they need to re-engage with learning.

EDSupport & EDInclude

EDClass provides a whole-school tool to impact a range of the most vulnerable students, school refusers, and those under local authority provision.

Our EDInclude framework ensures accessibility and a broad curriculum, while EDSupport offers resources for off-site students, making EDClass a cost-effective way to manage students at risk of exclusion.

EDClass Can Help Transform Your Alternative Provision

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