for parents
Supporting your child with online learning
As a parent, your involvement makes a world of difference to your child’s learning. Our team is here to provide as much advice and guidance as you need so you can support your child along their time at Academy21.
WHAT WE DO
Our support for students at Academy21
We work closely with schools and local authorities to provide your child with dedicated academic and wellbeing support throughout their time at Academy21.
Each commissioning organisation will have a dedicated regional team that they can speak to about your child’s needs, and we also recommend that the school selects a single point of contact who can work closely with us during the students’ journey at Academy21.
Though we don’t work directly with parents, we strongly encourage schools to keep parents informed along the way, sharing any updates on your child’s progress and celebrating all their wins.
We also have a strong commitment to safeguarding, which underpins everything we do. Our experienced teachers and support staff all work hard to create a safe, inclusive learning environment where every young person feels valued and motivated, with robust safeguarding measures in place to make sure your child is always protected.
what we offer
A supportive environment where your child can build their confidence
Welcoming start
We make sure your child is supported from the moment they join Academy21. Through our comprehensive enrolment process, we identify and plan for any additional needs your child has. Plus, our live, face-to-face induction sessions give your child a warm welcome and confident start to their first week.
High-quality education
We offer a broad and comprehensive curriculum for Key Stage 2 to 5. Our core courses are designed to equip your child with the skills they need to continue their learning journey, sit exams, or enter the world of work confidently. We also offer additional services should your child need extra academic or wellbeing support.
Daily monitoring
Each day, we keep a close eye on how your child is doing with their learning at Academy21. Alongside attendance, teachers record pupils’ effort, understanding, and interaction after every lesson. Each half term, we also detail your child’s progress and areas for growth in a thorough report shared with their school mentor.
Open communication
Communication is one of the foundations of our alternative provision. Your child will get regular feedback from their teachers, who are also on hand to promptly address any concerns. We also work to amplify our students’ voices, actively seeking their input to continuously improve our alternative provision.
Welcoming start
We make sure your child is supported from the moment they join Academy21. Through our comprehensive enrolment process, we identify and plan for any additional needs your child has. Plus, our live, face-to-face induction sessions give your child a warm welcome and confident start to their first week.
High-quality education
We offer a broad and comprehensive curriculum for Key Stage 2 to 5. Our core courses are designed to equip your child with the skills they need to continue their learning journey, sit exams, or enter the world of work confidently. We also offer additional services should your child need extra academic or wellbeing support.
Daily monitoring
Each day, we keep a close eye on how your child is doing with their learning at Academy21. Alongside attendance, teachers record pupils’ effort, understanding, and interaction after every lesson. Each half term, we also detail your child’s progress and areas for growth in a thorough report shared with their school mentor.
Open communication
Communication is one of the foundations of our alternative provision. Your child will get regular feedback from their teachers, who are also on hand to promptly address any concerns. We also work to amplify our students’ voices, actively seeking their input to continuously improve our alternative provision.
what you can do
Helping your Academy21 student
01.
Questions or feedback
If you have any questions or feedback about your child’s placement with Academy21, the best approach is to contact your child’s school or local authority. They’ll have a dedicated contact who can help you with more information and liaise with us if needed.
02.
Illness and absences
If your child is unable to attend their lessons, please report this directly to your child’s school or local authority. They will then update this via our online Portal.
03.
Technical issues
If your child has any trouble accessing their lessons, we provide live IT support throughout the school day. All students need to do is visit the ‘Support’ page in their Pupil Portal, then click ‘Live Support’ to get help. If they are having difficulty logging in to the portal they can also access live support from our website login page.
Guidance
3 top tips to help your child learn
Encourage them to take part
There are lots of ways to take part in learning at Academy21, from asking questions to completing independent tasks. Encouraging your child to actively participate will help them get more from their lessons and feel more connected to their class.
Set up the best environment
A dedicated learning space helps students stay focused and motivated, so try to set up an environment that’s well-organised and free from distractions. Creating a routine around schoolwork, leisure time, and wellbeing is also a great way to keep your child productive and positive.
Engage with school feedback
You can check in with your child’s school for regular updates on how they’re doing at Academy21. Your school may also share your child’s reports with you, which are a great way to understand their academic performance, see how they can improve, and celebrate their success.
E-SAFETY
Keeping your child safe online
As part of our commitment to safeguarding at Academy21, we teach students about the risks of the internet and how they can navigate the online world safely and positively. Plus, there’s more you can do to help your child at home.
Set clear rules
Establishing boundaries for internet use is one of the best ways to make sure your child is staying safe online. This may include rules on which websites your child is allowed to visit, which devices they may use, and how much time they’re allowed to stay online.
Remember that rules can change as your child becomes older and more responsible. As part of these boundaries, make sure your child also knows the importance of never sharing personal information (such as their name or where they live) on any online platform.
Use parental controls
These days, devices like phones, games consoles, and laptops typically have options for parental controls and privacy. Take advantage of these settings to help filter out any inappropriate content your child may come across and protect their personal information.
It’s a good idea to regularly review these settings, as different options may become available as platforms and technologies evolve. Some platforms may also be able to provide you with a log of content your child has accessed so you spot any concerns and talk about them.
Encourage open communication
Ultimately, communication is crucial when it comes to protecting your child online. Fostering an environment of open communication at home is a great way to encourage your child to discuss how they’re using the internet without worrying about being judged or punished.
In turn, this open dialogue will help you stay fully informed and guide them on how to make the best choices online.
