Introducing Key Stage 2: A new chapter for Academy21
This September marks an exciting new chapter for Academy21 as a DfE accredited online provider — one we believe will make a real difference for many of our school and local authority partners and the young people we all serve.
From the 2025–2026 academic year, we’re proud to launch our new Key Stage 2 provision, extending our flexible, live online learning for pupils in Years 5 and 6.
We are pleased to be able to offer this service in response to considerable demand from the schools and authorities that work with us. For years, we’ve supported secondary-aged learners through our Key Stages 3 and 4 programmes — pupils who need alternative provision for various reasons, from mental health and additional needs to challenging life circumstances. But we know that these needs don’t just begin in Year 7.
Government data from 2024 shows that over 1.6 million pupils in the UK have a recognised Special Educational Need; persistent absence in primary-aged students is over 14% and over 500 students are referred to Mental Health services for anxiety every day. The earlier we can reach children with targeted, high-quality support, the better their long-term academic, social and emotional outcomes. We know from feedback that online alternative provision is a valued early intervention for many students.
What our Key Stage 2 provision covers
Our new offer for Years 5 and 6 brings the best of our tried-and-tested model into a primary school context. Every pupil will be taught by qualified, experienced class teachers in small groups.
We offer a holistic curriculum combining core skills in reading, writing, and maths with oracy, wellbeing, and PSHE. We recognise the importance of developing the whole child, not just the academic learner. Our writing lessons naturally lend themselves to work on PSHE skills simultaneously, with a real focus on discussion, oracy, turn-taking and circle times. Our whole offer combines to support reintegration and keeping students connected to their community.
Lessons are live, interactive, and delivered five days a week, with timetables that can adapt around a school’s internal provision. Our platforms, technological tools, and live teaching are designed to keep young learners engaged, from supportive teaching to interactive activities and short, structured sessions that help them concentrate and engage.
Our Mentor Hub provides schools with all lesson content, resources, and updates, as well as regular reports on engagement and attendance to help schools monitor progress. Safeguarding is central to all we do, with robust, assured processes in place to keep students safe and create an environment that ensures they can thrive.
Like our other services, our Key Stage 2 curriculum can be used in various ways—from short-term, circuit-break placements to in-house programmes that support students while they remain enrolled at their primary school.
Supporting young learners at a crucial time
We know that the primary years are formative. They shape how children feel about learning, how they build relationships, and how they see themselves in the world. We’ve designed this provision to give our youngest students the space, support, and flexibility they need to reengage in their learning while still staying connected to their school community.
Our team brings deep experience of inclusive and relational teaching to support students with additional and special educational needs. We’ve also drawn on the expertise of our sister school, King’s InterHigh, which has delivered online Key Stage 2 education for nearly two decades.
We’re excited to take this next step and welcome a new cohort of young learners to Academy21. This milestone will, we believe, make a significant difference to the lives of pupils, families, and schools across the UK.
If you would like to learn more about how our new Key Stage 2 offer could support your pupils, explore our new Key Stage 2 page.
