30 Second Briefing
As the leading online alternative provision specialist, Academy21 offers a flexible, DfE-accredited online AP for schools, local authorities, and Multi-Academy Trusts.
Our early intervention services support students who show early signs of not engaging with their studies, helping them stay motivated through high quality, live subject teaching and wellbeing interventions.
By effectively addressing challenges early on, schools can prevent widening learning gaps, persistent absenteeism and increase the chances of successful re-integration. Here are five reasons why.
1. Highly flexible programming with rapid enrolment
Online AP is an effective way to support students early on. Flexibility is crucial to its success: with online AP providers like Academy21, schools enrol students in as little as 48 hours.
This rapid intervention means that students can get support when they need it, without having to wait around and risk feeling like they are falling behind on their studies.
Flexibility in scheduling also ensures that online lessons fits seamlessly into students’ physical school timetables, helping them stay on track academically and get the support they need without any major disruptions to their daily routines.
2. Alignment with your curriculum
Online AP is designed to complement and integrate with your school’s existing curriculum, offering full-day programming. With curriculum options that align with the national curriculum, GCSE exam boards, Functional Skills and more, students can stay in sync with their peers, ensuring a smoother transition back into the classroom when they are ready.
Beyond academics, enhanced services, like the wellbeing courses that Academy21 offers, can help students through mentoring, counselling or group support to develop self-belief, understand their challenges and, just as importantly, be happy and fulfilled individuals.
“Online AP is designed to complement and integrate with your school’s existing curriculum, offering full-day programming.”
3. Continuous monitoring and visibility
One of the key strengths of online AP is the ability to provide continuous visibility into student performance. With real-time data from every live lesson, teachers and school staff can track students’ engagement and participation as well as identify improvement areas and even see the content the learner has covered.
Schools can also easily access this data to monitor attendance, engagement, and learning outcomes, ensuring that students remain on track throughout their time in alternative provision.
Another benefit that online Academy 21 offers is the flexibility to watch the lessons again, via their student portal. This means pupils have the option to revisit things they found challenging or catch up on missed learning.
4. Flexible contracting options
Online AP providers like Academy21 offer flexible contracting to suit the varied needs of students and schools.
For instance, schools can choose between short- or long-term provision, scale their usage of services up or down as needed, and choose a model that best fits their usage of online AP.
This flexibility ensures that students receive the level of support they need without schools being tied to rigid contracts. As the student’s situation changes, schools can easily adjust the level of service, providing a bespoke approach to intervention that’s both practical and cost-effective for managing resources.
“With real-time data from every live lesson, teachers and school staff can track students’ engagement and participation.”
5. A break from the traditional classroom for smoother reintegration
For some students, stepping away from the pressures of a physical classroom can be a pivotal moment.
While we often serve as an intervention rather than a final destination, online AP providers like Academy21 offer a completely different learning environment. Time and again, this allows students to reset and re-engage with their education, all while continuing to benefit from live teaching and ongoing support.
By gradually reintroducing classroom dynamics in a more flexible, less stressful environment, online AP facilitates a smooth transition back into traditional schooling, helping students reintegrate successfully, with a stronger self-belief and good learning habits.
Learn more about how Academy21 can support your school here.
- Rapid response
Online AP providers can enrol your students faster. In the case of Academy21, students can enrol within 48 hours, ensuring no time is lost in addressing disengagement and providing the necessary support.
- Flexible contracts
Schools can select short-term or long-term contracts and scale up or down as needed, so the level of support is tailored to meet each student’s specific needs.
- Continuous monitoring
Online AP enables real-time tracking so schools can access continuous feedback on student performance, monitor their progress, and adjust their reintegration and support strategies accordingly.
- Holistic support
In addition to academic lessons, online AP offers wellbeing support. For instance, Academy21 offers academic and well-being courses that nurture students’ emotional development and develop confidence.
