How Academy21 supports schools under the updated Ofsted framework
With Ofsted’s updated inspection framework now in place, schools across England are taking a fresh look at how they use alternative provision to support pupils. The changes seek to give a more nuanced view on school effectiveness, placing renewed emphasis on inclusion, student progress, attendance and, as it relates to AP, the individual journey of every learner. At Academy21, we’ve reviewed the new guidance and drawn on insights from the pilot inspections we’ve been a part of to ensure schools can confidently demonstrate how our support contributes to both academic outcomes and personal development.
The revised framework introduces new evaluation areas, replacing the previous broader categories. These allow inspectors to highlight specific strengths and areas for development and remove the contentious single overall judgement. Safeguarding remains a separate, critical area, underscoring the continued priority of student safety. For all schools, these updates offer a chance to demonstrate how their provision, including the use of alternative provision, supports every student’s progress, engagement, and wellbeing.
Inclusion
One of the most significant shifts in the framework is the emphasis on inclusion. Schools are expected to demonstrate how they support all pupils, including those with SEND, disadvantaged learners, or those facing other barriers. This extends to tailoring the learning experience to meet individual needs and providing the right support at the right time.
At Academy21, every student can access an individual programme, with personalised learning and adaptive tools to meet their needs. Our staff work closely with schools to understand the pupils’ needs and prior experiences, so that teachers can make their instruction accessible, engaging, and well matched to the learner from their first lesson. By combining research informed methods including modelling and scaffolding, with ongoing motivational support, we help students rebuild confidence, maintain progress, and prepare for successful reintegration when the time is right.
Curriculum and teaching quality
Curriculum design and teaching quality are now considered together, focusing on how lessons are planned, sequenced, and delivered to support learning. Schools must show that the curriculum equips pupils with essential knowledge while also fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Academy21 offers a broad curriculum aligned with national standards, including subjects like English Literature, Art and Design, Geography, and Citizenship. Our expert teachers provide lessons that are carefully structured, with resources and recordings available for revision and consolidation. Formative assessment is embedded throughout, giving schools clear insight into students’ understanding. Drawing on the AfL strategies our teachers use, we provide ongoing feedback, lesson-by-lesson engagement grades, and regular assessment marks.
Supporting achievement and progress
Achievement is now evaluated independently from curriculum quality, with inspectors looking closely at how pupils progress and reach their potential. Schools must evidence that students are making measurable gains and that interventions are effective, especially for vulnerable groups.
For us, it’s critical to celebrate every student milestone, however small. Daily monitoring of engagement, understanding, interaction, attendance, and assignment completion helps us identify these key wins in a pupil’s journey and make sure they are highlighted to boost confidence. Schools have access to this real-time information too, as well as termly and half-termly reports that can be shared with families. This transparency enables schools to make informed decisions, respond to challenges, and demonstrate the impact of alternative provision on pupil outcomes.
Attendance and behaviour
Attendance and behaviour are now evaluated together, recognising the link between engagement, motivation, and conduct. Schools are expected to demonstrate that they have systems in place to support good attendance, address disengagement, and maintain high standards of behaviour.
Academy21 provides live tracking of attendance and engagement, giving schools 24/7 visibility of every lesson. Our reporting tools make it easy to monitor progress, spot patterns, and follow up on issues promptly. Beyond simply recording attendance, we work with students to build consistency, motivation, and resilience, so that behaviour and engagement are supported as part of a holistic learning journey.
Personal development and wellbeing
The framework places renewed emphasis on personal development and wellbeing, recognising that academic success is closely linked to social, emotional, and moral growth. Schools must show how they help pupils develop the skills and understanding needed to navigate personal challenges, relationships, and broader societal issues.
Wellbeing is embedded into our learning experience. We offer Enhanced Support Courses and assemblies that address key topics such as mental health, resilience, and interpersonal skills. Our Next Steps: Reintegration and Wellbeing course is taken by scores of students and provides workshop style support for students non navigating key moments and challenges and developing pro-social slide skills, ready for when they return. Mentors also provide one-to-one support where needed, helping students navigate these important chapters of their lives with confidence and a sense of purpose. While academic outcomes are just as important, helping students develop social and emotional skills will be invaluable for a successful reintegration and to prevent issues from resurfacing.
Leadership and governance
Leadership and governance remain a critical area of inspection, with a focus on how effectively school leaders oversee teaching, learning, and overall provision. Inspectors examine accountability structures, decision-making, and how leaders ensure all other areas operate effectively.
In this area, transparent data, robust reporting systems, and external oversight through accreditation are critical. Our team works with schools to ensure that governance and leadership have clear visibility of pupil progress, engagement, and wellbeing. Regular review processes, teacher development, and ongoing professional training all contribute to our culture of continuous improvement.
“Leaders have established a culture of high ambition and high expectations. There is a driven focus to provide the best online provision possible for the pupils they serve.” - Ofsted report
Other areas of increased importance
Focus on the individual student
There is a clear expectation that schools understand and respond to the individual journey of each student from whom they commission AP. This includes recording enrolment decisions, monitoring progress, and adapting placements as needed. Inspectors look for evidence that decisions are informed by each pupil’s context and that schools are proactive in supporting transitions or adjustments.
Every Academy21 commission begins with a detailed conversation about the student’s needs and the school’s objectives, so we can make sure each placement is appropriate. Our flexible contact options also allow for adjustments to our provision as circumstances change or students progress.
Safeguarding
Unsurprisingly, safeguarding continues to be critical, with schools required to evidence robust procedures, clear escalation routes, and effective communication with providers to keep students safe. Academy21 embeds safeguarding across all areas of our provision. Before enrolment, our team reviews each student’s needs and assesses risk, with all those with additional safeguarding risks reviewed by our safeguarding team, including the DSL. Every welfare concern is logged and communicated promptly, with urgent issues escalated immediately to the school and relevant services. Our staff are fully trained in safeguarding and child protection, ensuring that every student is supported safely and consistently.
Communication
Effective communication between schools and providers is central to the new framework. Inspectors emphasise that schools must understand how the provider operates, engage with tools and reporting, and respond collaboratively to emerging issues.
When choosing an AP provider, partnership and transparency should be key considerations. Aside from sharing live updates via the Mentor Portal, our teams maintain regular contact with mentors, ensuring that any concerns are raised promptly and resolved in collaboration with the school, and that leaders have the clarity they need.
Meeting new expectations with confidence
The updated Ofsted framework reflects a more holistic and detailed view of school provision, challenging schools to show impact across six core areas and to focus on every pupil’s journey. For schools using alternative provision, Academy21 offers the systems, expertise, and partnership to demonstrate this effectively.
From personalised learning plans and adaptive teaching, to live progress tracking, wellbeing support, and robust safeguarding, we provide schools with full visibility of every placement. By working together, leaders can ensure that students thrive academically and personally, and that inspections reflect the quality of care and education being delivered.
If you’d like to talk through how we support your setting, or how we can bolster your AP strategy, our team is always here to help. Contact Academy21 here.
