Supporting a child with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) can feel overwhelming, especially when traditional school environments no longer feel like the right fit. With record numbers of children now requiring SEND/learning support, many families are left searching for something better and more immediate than mainstream schools can provide. That’s where alternative provision steps in.
In this article, we explore the rise in SEND, the challenges schools are facing, and how Wendover Online School is providing learning support that genuinely works.
Students are attracted to Wendover for a wide range of reasons, including personalised teaching, flexible lessons, small class sizes and the ability to fit learning around your lifestyle. Many of these factors work well for students with special needs, so we are delighted to launch our new Alternative Provision prospectus sharing how our online school offers learning support for students that need it. This can be downloaded from our website.
What is alternative provision for students with special educational needs?
Alternative provision (AP) refers to education outside the traditional school setting. For children with additional needs, the right AP can be life changing. It can provide:
- Smaller classes or 1:1 support
- Flexible timetables
- Personalised curriculum plans
- A calm, safe learning environment.
While some alternative provision is delivered in person, others like Wendover Online School offer high-quality online education, making learning support accessible regardless of location.
How Wendover provides learning support that actually works
Wendover Online School was founded to create a better learning experience for all children – but it is particularly effective for those who struggle in mainstream education. Its model of personalised, supportive and high-quality online education is especially well-suited to students with special educational needs, who benefit from:
- Small class sizes: average of four, maximum of six students in a class
- 1:1 teaching where required
- 100% live lessons taught by subject specialists trained in inclusive practice
- Weekly 1:1 tutorials supporting academic progress and emotional wellbeing
- Flexible timetables: morning core subjects, with optional afternoon sessions
- Personalised pathways tailored to EHCP outcomes or individual learning needs.
Children can learn from home in a calm, consistent environment. There are no crowded corridors, no sensory overload, and no peer pressure. Instead, students receive focused support from teachers who get to know them well, understand their challenges and care about their progress.
Want to know more? Download our full brochure to see how Wendover supports students with diverse educational needs.
Supporting a wide range of needs
Wendover supports students aged 8 to 18 with a diverse range of needs, including:
- ASD / Autism spectrum
- ADHD
- Dyslexia / dyspraxia
- Anxiety or school refusal
- Sensory processing differences
- Speech and language needs
We ensure that every child’s individual learning needs are identified early, but without stress. A new student will usually have two taster lessons and meet their future teachers, and the Head of Year and SENDCo will also meet the student and their parents get to know them well, answer any questions and smooth any anxiety.
Through a comprehensive assessment process, the school works to understand each student’s strengths, challenges and preferred learning approaches. This allows Wendover to put a tailored strategy in place right from the start, providing consistency, clarity, and support throughout their time at the school. You can read more here about how assessments are used to support each learner.
Flexible learning to suit each student
We know that school can sometimes feel overwhelming, so we can start gradually if this suits your child:
- We offer a flexible programme which may start with core subjects and grow as a student gathers confidence.
- Some students start with 1-2-1 lessons and move to group lessons.
- All of this is supported by our weekly 1-2-1 tutorial
- We keep in close contact with parents to monitor the student’s progress on the course and modify our approach as needed.
- Our expert teachers always adjust the pace, language and delivery of lessons to suit individual learners – this is particularly effective for students with SEND.
Our team at Wendover work closely with parents to ensure the desired outcomes are met, progress is tracked, and your child’s wellbeing is prioritised.
More than academics: supporting wellbeing and confidence
Education should do more than deliver grades. At Wendover, we value confidence and resilience alongside achieving your best, so students are encouraged to join clubs, take part in virtual assemblies, and connect through small group tutorials. For many, it’s the first time they feel safe enough to participate and enjoy learning.
Parents are delighted to report dramatic improvements in their child’s confidence, happiness and engagement with education when they study online at Wendover:
“Our child has gone from hating education to loving it in a matter of months.”
“Our daughter would not be in education if it wasn’t for Wendover. It’s an amazing alternative provision and we would be lost without it.”
“Wendover is one of a very few schools brave enough to meet a child’s needs without hesitation.”
Working alongside parents
Wendover welcomes:
- Referrals from mainstream schools looking for temporary support or online placement
- Direct enquiries from parents seeking alternative provision
- EHCP-funded placements via local authorities (Uk relevant)
We provide regular progress reports, monitor attendance and progress, support annual reviews, and liaise closely to ensure a joined-up approach.
We understand that many SEND students experience anxiety, school trauma or social challenges. At Wendover, we offer:
- A gentle, student-centred approach
- Peer interaction in a calm online environment
- Staff trained in trauma-informed and inclusive practices
- Extra-curricular clubs such as baking, chess, art and writing to support enjoyment and creativity
- Meet-ups in different parts of the UK
Wendover’s SENDCo plays a vital role in ensuring that students have access to the right adjustments both within their school day, and for their exams. This includes supporting appropriate access arrangements such as additional time, rest breaks, or assistive technology so that every student has a fair opportunity to demonstrate their ability
Wendover offers a high-quality, supportive option that’s available now—meeting children where they are, and helping them thrive today.
Learning support that helps children thrive
When mainstream education isn’t working, parents need to know they have real, high-quality alternatives. Wendover Online School offers trusted, proven learning support that combines personalised teaching, emotional safety, and academic excellence.
We provide a calm environment for nurturing young minds, where every child feels seen, understood and able to succeed.
Ready to explore Wendover?
Book a free taster lesson today and discover the difference that online alternative provision can make for your child—or download our Alternative Provision Prospectus to learn more.
FAQs
- What is learning support?
Learning support refers to extra help given to children with special educational needs or disabilities so they can learn effectively in school. This can include classroom adjustments, specialist teaching, or 1:1 support. - What types of learning support does Wendover support?
Wendover supports a wide range of needs, including autism, ADHD, anxiety, dyslexia, and speech/language difficulties. Each student’s learning plan is tailored accordingly. - How do I apply for a place at Wendover Online School?
Parents can contact Wendover directly to book a taster lesson or request more information.
