Teach Secondary Issue 14.8

Maximise your capacity If schools wish to expand their SEND support capacity, digital tools have to be part of the solution, says Alessandro Capozzi T he scale of the challenges facing children with SEND and their families in the UK has never beenmore stark. Schools and local authorities are working tirelessly, but the reality is that the system is overstretched. The number of young people with identified SEND continues to rise. Waiting times for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) are growing, and teachers are under immense pressure to meet complex needs with limited resources. For too many pupils, this means going without timely support at a critical stage in their education. The recent Parliamentary inquiry into solving the SEND crisis presented a crucial opportunity for reflecting on these pressures and exploring practical ways forward. Throughout the evidence submitted from across the education sector, one consistent theme emerged – issues with resourcing and capacity. At Academy21, we were pleased to contribute to this national conversation, drawing on our work with well over a thousand schools and local authorities each year. Whyonline learning matters Online learning isn’t intended to replace in-school provision. Rather, it offers a way to extend specialist teaching, provide more timely interventions and support pupils whose needs can’t always be met inmainstream classrooms. Students who learn online can do so flexibly – from within school or at home, for example – and select those timings that best fit into ABOUT THE AUTHOR Alessandro Capozzi is Director of Operations at Academy21; for more information, visit academy21.co.uk their wider provision. They can attend live, or watch lesson recordings on demand. It’s about providing flexibility, in partnership with schools for those children who need it – and thousands do. 1. Rapid access to specialist teachers One of the most pressing challenges in SEND education is the shortage of specialist teachers. Online provision lets students access highly trained professionals, regardless of location. Whether a child lives in a remote area, or a region with limited in-school expertise, live online teaching ensures they’ll benefit from quality instruction when they need it most. Their absence could be down to illness or trauma – whatever the cause, there will be a parity of education with their peers in the classroom. 2.Timely interventions Delays in support can turn small challenges into long- term learning barriers. Digital provision enables schools to deliver interventions quickly, so that students can receive targeted support at the earliest possible stage. By addressing needs promptly, online teaching reduces the likelihood of issues escalating and helps pupils stay on track, academically and socially. Indeed, online is perhaps uniquely placed to do this at scale – at Academy21 we know this, having taught many thousands of learners last year. 3. Flexibility for diverse needs Mainstream classrooms can’t always accommodate every child’s individual requirements (be they due to medical conditions, emotional support needs or temporary absence). Online provision offers a flexible alternative that fits around pupils’ circumstances, allowing them to continue learning without disruption, and reintegrate smoothly into school when ready. 4. Support for reintegration For many pupils, online learning acts as an educational bridge. Students can remain engaged academically, while receiving additional support tailored to their needs that helps them transition back to mainstream settings more successfully. This approach ensures continuity in learning, preventing long gaps that could hinder development or confidence. 5.Cost-effective capacitybuilding Online provisionmaximises the impact of existing resources. By supplementing in-school staff and freeing them to focus on pastoral care or in-class interventions, online learning helps schools manage rising demand without the delays and costs associated with recruiting new staff or building new facilities. 6. Regulatory assurance and scalable impact Unlike ad-hoc solutions, accredited online provision operates within a clear regulatory framework that ensures safeguarding, quality assurance and scalability across regions. Schools and local authorities can deploy online teaching confidently, knowing it meets national standards while delivering immediate support to thousands of pupils. Acall to action Policymakers, school leaders and local authorities must embrace the capacity that already exists. By integrating high-quality online learning into our national SEND strategy, we can protect children from being left behind and give teachers the support they need. Technology isn’t a silver bullet, but it is an enabler. Used wisely, it can ensure that no child with SEND is left without access to a great teacher. In a systemunder pressure, this is one bold step we can and must take now. 71 teachwire.net/secondary S E N D