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OEAS Accredited Provider by the DfE
Nisai Virtual Academy is officially accredited by the Department for Education through the Online Education Accreditation Scheme, commonly known as OEAS.
Following a two-day accreditation visit by Ofsted in June 2026, the published report confirmed:
“Nisai Virtual Academy Limited meets all the minimum standards for online education.”
OEAS accreditation provides independent assurance that Nisai’s online provision has been assessed against the Department for Education’s standards for education quality, curriculum, safeguarding arrangements, personal development and leadership.
“The range of areas of learning now on offer exceeds that prescribed in the standards.” – Ofsted Report, June 2026
Nisai Virtual Academy is proud to announce that it has been officially accredited by the Department for Education under the Online Education Accreditation Scheme (OEAS).
Following a comprehensive accreditation visit by Ofsted, the published report confirmed that:
“Nisai Virtual Academy Limited meets all the minimum standards for online education.”
The Online Education Accreditation Scheme (OEAS) is a Department for Education scheme for eligible providers of full-time online education in England.
It was created to reassure children, parents, schools and local authorities about the quality of education and safeguarding offered by online education providers whose provision may represent a child’s main or only source of formal education.
OEAS is a voluntary, non-statutory scheme. It is available to eligible online providers that teach online on a permanent basis, provide a full curriculum or act as a child’s main source of education, and have at least one full-time pupil of compulsory school age based in England. Providers must also have a physical presence in England.
The scheme provides a recognised quality mark for online education settings. It helps distinguish accredited providers from online services that have not been independently reviewed against the same national standards.
Ofsted visited Nisai Virtual Academy on 3 and 4 June 2026. The accreditation visit considered the quality of education, teaching, curriculum, pupils’ personal development, safeguarding arrangements and the management of the online setting.
The report confirms that Nisai meets all the applicable standards relating to the quality of education and curriculum.
Ofsted recognised that the breadth of Nisai’s curriculum had increased and that the range of learning now available exceeds what is prescribed within the standards. Pupils and students can work towards Functional Skills, GCSE, AS and A level qualifications, alongside subjects and activities suited to their age, needs and abilities.
This broad curriculum allows Nisai to provide full-time online education as well as part-time provision alongside a pupil’s placing school.
Explore our online curriculum and qualifications for further information about available subjects and pathways.
Nisai’s pupils attend live online lessons taught in small groups. Ofsted found that teachers use assessment effectively, have strong subject knowledge and adapt their teaching according to pupils’ understanding and individual needs.
The report also recognised the positive impact that Nisai’s teaching and learning resources have on pupil engagement, progress and attitudes towards education.
This is an important distinction when comparing online education providers. Nisai is not simply a collection of recorded resources or independent activities. Learners receive structured teaching, assignments, feedback and opportunities to communicate with their teachers.
Learn more about how students attend our online school.
Ofsted found that Nisai staff have positive relationships with pupils, parents and carers. Teachers help pupils understand what they are learning and provide support that reflects their individual circumstances.
The report also highlighted Nisai’s focus on each pupil’s wider development. Academic provision is supported by wellbeing sessions, virtual clubs and activities that help students build communication skills, engagement and a sense of belonging.
For many pupils, particularly those affected by SEND, anxiety, medical needs or previous disruption to education, this partnership approach can help rebuild their relationship with learning.
Further support may be available through our SEND and EHCP provision, mentoring services and alternative provision.
The accreditation report found that pupils’ self-belief and attitudes towards learning improve considerably during their time with Nisai.
It also records that a large majority of pupils experience positive outcomes. These may relate to academic progress, renewed engagement, improved attitudes towards education or preparation for their next stage.
Every learner begins from a different position. Nisai therefore uses personalised support and tailored education rather than assuming the same model will suit every child or young person.
Ofsted confirmed that Nisai’s arrangements for keeping children safe are appropriate.
The report recognised suitable systems for raising safeguarding concerns, trained staff, detailed online records and prompt responses from leaders. Where appropriate, concerns are shared with the commissioning school, parents or the relevant local authority.
Nisai also uses filtering and monitoring systems across its online provision. Pupils receive guidance on using the online setting safely, while staff and governors are subject to suitability checks.
Safeguarding forms part of Nisai’s wider quality assurance processes and remains central to the way we teach online.
“Staff have highly positive relationships with parents/carers and pupils.”
Choosing an online school or remote education provider is an important decision. Families and commissioners need detailed information about how pupils will be taught, how their progress will be monitored and how the provider manages safety and educational quality.
For schools and local authorities, OEAS accreditation confirms that Nisai has been independently reviewed against the Department for Education’s standards. It supports informed commissioning and provides an external reference point when assessing online provision.
For parents and carers, accreditation offers reassurance that the curriculum, teaching, safeguarding and leadership arrangements have been reviewed by Ofsted as part of a formal quality assurance process.
For pupils and students, it reflects Nisai’s responsibility to provide a structured online setting in which learners can access teaching, receive support and work towards meaningful outcomes.
OEAS accreditation does not mean that one form of online education will be suitable for every learner. It does, however, provide independent evidence about the standards that an accredited provider has met.
“Senior leaders focus on the all-round development of each pupil.”
The accreditation process involves both the Department for Education and Ofsted.
Ofsted publishes a final report setting out which standards were met. The Department for Education then uses the report and other available evidence to decide whether to award accreditation.
Ofsted does not give online providers graded judgements such as “good” or “outstanding” through OEAS. The purpose of the visit is to assess whether the provider meets the applicable online education standards.
“The range of areas of learning now on offer exceeds that prescribed in the standards.”
“Teachers know their subject in depth and use high-quality resources to deliver skilfully designed lessons.”
The Department for Education launched the first phase of the Online Education Accreditation Scheme on 31 January 2023, allowing online education providers to familiarise themselves with the scheme and its standards. Applications from eligible providers opened on 20 March 2023.
Providers that meet all the applicable online education standards are normally accredited by the Department for Education for three years. To remain accredited after this period, a provider must apply again, complete fresh suitability checks and undergo another Ofsted accreditation visit.
The process begins with an application to the Department for Education. Eligible providers are then referred to Ofsted for suitability checks, which are followed by a two-day accreditation visit. Inspectors review evidence relating to areas such as education quality, curriculum, personal development, safeguarding, leadership and management. Ofsted publishes its findings, while the Department for Education makes the final accreditation decision.
Providers must supply detailed information about their pupils, leadership, educational premises and provision. Ofsted may also request curriculum and safeguarding policies, cybersecurity certification, subcontracting arrangements and a self-evaluation covering education quality, personal development, safeguarding, leadership and management.
Yes. Ofsted publishes a report following an accreditation visit, including when accreditation is refused or the provider later withdraws its application. This allows parents, schools and local authorities to review the findings themselves. Accredited providers are also listed on the Department for Education’s Get Information About Schools register.
Online providers must have comprehensive safeguarding arrangements suited to an online education setting. Providers are expected to have regard to current Keeping Children Safe in Education and Working Together to Safeguard Children guidance, maintain an effective safeguarding policy, appoint an appropriate safeguarding lead and provide clear routes for reporting concerns. Staff should also receive safeguarding training appropriate to their responsibilities and the online environment.
Yes. Providers pay fees for Ofsted’s suitability checks and accreditation visit. The fee structure is set by Ofsted and published within its accreditation handbook.
Our team can provide further information about Nisai’s accredited online provision and discuss whether it may be suitable for a particular learner.
We welcome enquiries from schools, academy trusts, local authorities, parents, carers and students seeking flexible full-time or part-time online education. Get in touch today.
We have a dedicated and knowledgeable support team who will be able to discuss the best educational solution for you, whether you’re contacting us on behalf of a school, local authority, as a parent or student.
“The range of areas of learning now on offer exceeds that prescribed in the standards.”
Ofsted, June 2026
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