Academy 21
Who we are
We are the UK’s leading online alternative provision specialists. We work collaboratively with schools, trusts and local authorities to ensure that the students placed with us receive the education they need and deserve, with
tailored timetables, the right balance of subjects and SEN or additional needs catered for.
Our fully qualified, subject-specialist teachers provide 100% live lessons that are adaptive and engaging with weekly progress monitoring accessible in our custom-built, user-friendly portals. Through our unique combination of quality-first inclusive teaching and focus on wellbeing, our experienced teachers re-engage students, build confidence and help them achieve the best outcomes for them.
We are proud to be the first online alternative provision to be accredited by the
Department for Education under the Online Education Accreditation Scheme. [Read our Ofsted report here]
We know that what we do makes a profound difference to the lives of young people, both now and as they make their way into adulthood. We’re here to support them, their schools, trusts and families and to provide the best possible path through their education and towards the lives ahead of them
What we do
Academy21's tailored solutions enable schools and LAs to effectively cater to their students’ needs with high-quality teaching and personalised support. We offer a range of solutions, from short-term placements to long-term provision, early intervention, and GCSE resits. Commissioning options like pay-as-you-go or termly or annual payments in advance offer another layer of
flexibility, enabling schools and LAs to adapt their support and flex our provision up and down as students’ needs change.
Plus, our platform and tools offer complete control and oversight of how students are progressing. Engagement and attendance are monitored daily, and schools have access to a comprehensive Admin Centre where designated mentors can easily enrol new students or update students’ details.
When it comes to our curriculum, our high-quality, DfE-accredited education covers Key Stage 3 and 4, and Key Stage 2 and 5 via our sister school, King’s InterHigh. Our curriculum for Key Stage 3 and 4 is specifically designed to address GCSE gaps and get students ready to sit their exams with confidence.
Here is a snapshot of how we deliver our provision:
- Expert teachers – We have many teachers, all DBS-checked, fully UK-qualified, and experts in their subject area. Plus, our teachers are experienced in online education and have extensive professional experience and training in supporting students with diverse needs.
- Small class sizes – Our classes have a maximum of 15 students. We group students based on their current skills and capacity to learn, so that students can feel comfortable in their classes and teachers can provide more tailored teaching.
- Live lessons and recordings – all our lessons are live and adaptive to improve student engagement and teacher-student interaction and enable more effective learning. We also offer class recordings which can be accessed at any time of the day.
- Advanced tech – we leverage InspiredAI to create personalised learning pathways for each student. This tool identifies strengths and gaps based on students’ previous answers to exercises and tests, helping them address any gaps and consolidate learnings. We also have a range of communication tools and class features to support student engagement, including chat pods and whiteboards.
- Academic, wellbeing, and SEN support- We offer academic and wellbeing courses like Anxiety Management and Social Skills through our Enhanced Services programme. These courses are designed to help students boost their learning skills and rebuild their confidence and wellbeing. They consist of 40-minute sessions across 10-week blocks, and students are welcome to join at any time. One-to-one sessions with qualified adolescent therapists are also available. Plus, our dedicated SEN team is always on hand to understand students’ needs and provide tailored support.
- Continuous monitoring – Schools and LAs can monitor their students’ progress via their Mentor Portal, a user-friendly platform that is updated daily with a score for students’ effort, understanding, and engagement, as well as termly reports with teacher feedback and predicted results.
How we help
The Academy21 team's approach is built on collaboration, flexibility, and a deep understanding of alternative education. This enables us to offer tailored services that make a tangible impact on each student’s academic and personal life and on the success of schools, LAs, MATs, and PRUs in effectively supporting their students.
Here are a few ways in which we can help:
Tailored Support and Consultation
We prioritise understanding the needs and challenges of schools and their students before we can advise on the best way forward. This bespoke approach allows us to design a strategic plan that fits each organisation's unique context, ensuring we deliver meaningful support to their students. Our friendly team can also meet leaders on-site and provide demos of our learning platform.
Flexible Solutions for Changing Needs
One key advantage of Academy21 is the flexibility we provide. Schools can quickly scale the number of subjects their students take, adjust timetables, and assign or reassign pupils as needed, helping to accommodate changing demands. This flexibility ensures schools can respond quickly and efficiently to their students’ needs.
Proven Success and Social Value
Our impact is demonstrated through our extensive partnerships with schools and academies across the country. Last academic year, Academy21 supported over 4,100 students from Academy Trusts, with a 26% usage across academies nationally. These numbers reflect our trusted presence in the sector and our commitment to improving educational outcomes. We are also proud to work with over 900 schools and 130 LAs across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Our value is proven not just by our clients but by the students themselves, with 91% of our students saying they have gained confidence since joining us. We have also seen a noteworthy spike in engagement and attendance from Academy21 students and have successfully reintegrated students across the country into mainstream education.
Commitment to Quality and Collaboration
Academy21 is deeply invested in driving positive change across the alternative education sector. In addition to our expert teaching and non-teaching staff, advanced technology, and bespoke support, we work hand-in-hand with school leadership teams to monitor engagement, attendance, and student outcomes. This level of oversight guarantees educational quality. Additionally, we provide comprehensive student induction sessions and staff training programs to ensure smooth integration and ongoing support. Our solutions are designed to help schools address any challenges they face when supporting students with diverse needs—from a lack of specialised resources to capacity issues. We are more than a service provider—we are a long-term partner deeply invested in enabling every student to access the high-quality education they deserve, improving their academic outcomes, and leading a happier, more fulfilling life.
