TCES National Online School

Overview

TCES National Online School meets all minimum standards for online education set by the Department for Education. Leaders and staff are driven by a “strong moral purpose” to improve outcomes for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, expertly intertwining education and therapy. The provider is highly regarded by parents and pupils, who report that children feel safe and their academic and emotional needs are being met.

Strengths

• Leaders and staff “expertly intertwine education and therapy” to identify and reduce barriers to learning.
• Tutors sensitively introduce curriculum appropriate to pupils’ needs, building “self-confidence” and readiness to engage.
• Robust systems are in place to keep pupils safe, with leaders holding staff to account and monitoring outcomes.
• Parents are “extremely positive” about the setting, noting timely communication and effective handling of concerns.
• Pupils develop “positive attitudes to learning” and feel safe due to strong relationships with adults.

Areas to improve

• Curriculum leaders must ensure planned activities consistently make effective use of “interactive learning opportunities” provided by the online format.
• Leaders need to develop materials that “fully utilise available technologies” for all subjects.
• Systems to ensure coordinated delivery of spiritual, moral, social and cultural development are “not yet fully embedded” for all pupils.

Safeguarding

The report states that arrangements for keeping children safe are “appropriate,” supported by a comprehensive policy, effective e-safety measures, and a “robust culture” pervading the setting.