Supporting pupils with diverse learning needs, sometimes known as Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), through online schooling requires a thoughtful approach – one that balances flexibility, personalised support, and innovative teaching methods.
SEND encompasses a wide range of learning challenges, including thinking and learning differences such as dyslexia, ADHD, and autism, as well as mental and physical health conditions like visual impairment, anxiety, anorexia, and various other disabilities and medical conditions. These students benefit from additional support to ensure they can fully access and succeed in their education.
Online learning offers a powerful solution to widen access for students with SEND, providing them with the flexibility and support that is often lacking in traditional educational settings. By utilising online platforms that enable individualised learning paths and one-to-one support, students with SEND can overcome barriers and thrive academically. The flexibility of online education allows students to study at their own pace, while personalised attention ensures their unique needs are met effectively.
Through tailored methods that accommodate the diverse needs of pupils, flexible learning environments, and individualised support, online education empowers students to achieve their academic ambitions while receiving the attention they need.
Here are four key ways in which students with barriers to learning are supported through online schooling:
- Personalised Learning Pathways
One of the most significant advantages of online learning for pupils with SEND is the ability to create personalised learning pathways. Every student learns at their own pace, and this is especially crucial for those who may require more time or additional resources to grasp certain concepts, or prefer to work at a faster pace than their peers.
For example, some students benefit from revisiting lesson materials more frequently than others, in formats that suit their learning style, such as video, text, or audio. Pupils with ADHD often find they thrive in structured but flexible environments where they can take regular breaks, free from the rigid time constraints of traditional classrooms. Students with autism and those who have social anxiety can find comfort in a calm, distraction-free setting that may be difficult to achieve in a conventional school. Pupils with visual impairments can use digital learning platforms to zoom in and out of course content, allowing them to engage with materials in a format that suits their needs. This not only saves time compared to printing enlarged materials in a traditional school setting but also enables these students to access their education without being reliant on a teaching assistant.
Our flipped learning approach tailors the curriculum to each student’s unique learning style, allowing them to succeed academically by studying at their own pace and focusing on areas where they need the most support. This method ensures that pupils aren’t held back by the limitations of a traditional classroom setting, while also skilling them up for the independence and self-discipline required at university. Many of our pupils have gone on to study at top institutions, such as Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, and Edinburgh University, where the ability to manage their own learning is highly valued.
One parent, reflecting on their child’s experience, said: “Our son is taking regular A-level courses with outstanding teachers and modern online teaching methods, but the difference is that the online environment gives him the flexibility to learn at his own pace, which wasn’t possible in a traditional school.”
- Interactive, Detailed Learning in Complex Subjects
For subjects like Maths and Chemistry, which require a high degree of focus and attention to detail, online learning offers distinct advantages. Pupils can zoom into lesson materials and experiments, gaining a deeper understanding of complex concepts. This approach is particularly beneficial for students who need more time to absorb detailed information.
As Crispin Davis, a Chemistry teacher at Highgrove Education, highlights: “our online Chemistry lessons provide students with an opportunity to zoom in on practicals, such as titrations, allowing them to observe small details that might be missed in a traditional lab setting. This level of interaction and precision is invaluable, particularly for students who may need extra support in grasping these intricate processes.”
This interactive approach, combined with our flipped learning model, allows students to study independently before lessons and then apply their knowledge in live sessions. This is particularly helpful for pupils with SEND, as it gives them the time to process and revisit content as needed.
- One-to-One Support for Personal Growth
Personalised, one-to-one support is essential for all students, especially those with SEND. By combining individualised attention with a tailored coaching model, pupils can develop the skills they need to overcome their unique challenges and thrive both academically and personally. Teachers work closely with each pupil, understanding their specific needs and creating strategies that empower them to succeed.
Whether it’s a pupil with anxiety who needs a more gentle approach or a child with anorexia who requires flexibility to focus on both their well-being and academics, the combination of coaching and teaching provides the tailored support students need. This personalised attention ensures that students not only achieve academic success but also grow in confidence and independence.
As Heather Rhodes, Principal of Highgrove Education, explains: “The one-to-one support available in our school helps students thrive in ways that are sometimes more difficult to achieve in a traditional classroom. Teachers build up a deep understanding of the personal and academic needs of each student, ensuring they get an education which is tailored to individual needs.”
Parents also appreciate this individualised support. One parent shared their experience of moving their son to an online learning setting: “The small class sizes, flexibility, and personalised learning environment have allowed our son to excel academically and enjoy his extracurricular activities. This is the type of support he needed that just wasn’t available in his previous school.”
- Flexibility and Preparation for the Future
Online learning provides flexibility that can be especially beneficial for students with SEND. The ability to schedule lessons around personal needs, take breaks when required, and learn in a comfortable home environment allows pupils to reduce their levels of stress and focus on their education. This is particularly important for students with conditions such as anxiety or anorexia, where the demands of a rigid school schedule can be overwhelming or exhausting.
Moreover, learning online helps students develop skills that are crucial for their future, such as self-discipline, independent study habits, and technological proficiency. Parents have found that online learning at Highgrove Education prepares their children well for both university and their future career aspirations.
As one parent explained: “We believe that our son is being set up better through the online provision for the transition to university. The ability to self-study and manage time has been instrumental in preparing him for higher education and future employment, where so much collaboration happens online.”
Similarly, the flexible online environment allows pupils to pursue extracurricular interests without sacrificing their education. Whether they are athletes, musicians, or simply students who need extra time for personal growth, Highgrove Education’s adaptable approach ensures they can achieve balance.
Conclusion
These four key features of Highgrove’s educational programmes – personalised learning pathways, interactive and detailed subject learning, one-to-one support, and flexibility – illustrate how online learning can effectively widen access for pupils with diverse learning needs. The approach not only accommodates their learning styles but also equips them with the skills and confidence to succeed academically and personally. Online learning helps break down barriers for students with SEND, ensuring they can thrive in a flexible and supportive environment. By offering tailored support and adaptive teaching methods, online learning makes it possible for students to access education that truly works for them, helping them achieve their full potential and preparing them for their future academic journeys.
