How an Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership between Nisai and the University of Staffordshire is helping shape the future of online education for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
Every child deserves an education that enables them to thrive.
Yet for many children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), accessing the right support remains one of the greatest challenges facing education today. Nationally, around one in three children will be identified with SEND at some point during their education, placing increasing pressure on schools, Local Authorities and families to find effective, evidence based solutions.
At Nisai, we believe the future of SEND education should be informed by robust research as well as classroom experience.
That’s why we partnered with the University of Staffordshire through an Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), a UK Government part funded programme that brings together universities and businesses to solve real world challenges through research and innovation.
Together, we analysed seven years of learner data to better understand what helps children and young people with SEND, EHCPs and complex barriers to education achieve positive outcomes.
Understanding the Learners We Support
The research highlighted the complexity of the learners studying with Nisai.
Across seven years of data:
- 86% of learners joined Nisai with one or more barriers to learning.
- 59% experienced multiple barriers.
- 85% had an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
These learners include children and young people with autism, ADHD, anxiety, emotionally based school non-attendance (EBSNA), medical needs, physical disabilities and a wide range of additional learning needs.
Many have previously struggled to engage in mainstream education through no fault of their own.
Delivering Better Outcomes Through Personalised Online Learning
Despite supporting learners with highly complex needs, the research demonstrated consistently positive outcomes.
Across the seven year dataset:
- Average attendance for those that previously struggled, increased from 22% before joining Nisai to 78% whilst learning with us.
- 96% of learners progressed to a positive destination, including reintegration into school, further education, higher education, employment or training.
These outcomes demonstrate what is possible when education is designed around the individual learner rather than expecting the learner to adapt to a traditional model.
Our approach combines live online teaching, personalised timetables, small class sizes, experienced teachers and comprehensive pastoral support to create an environment where learners can rebuild confidence and re-engage with education.
What Makes the Biggest Difference?
The Knowledge Transfer Partnership did more than analyse overall learner outcomes.
It also explored which interventions were associated with the greatest improvements in engagement and achievement.
The findings identified mentoring as one of the strongest contributors to learner success.
Students who received mentoring alongside live online teaching achieved:
- 15% higher assignment completion
- 9% higher academic performance
- 7% greater learner engagement
- 5% stronger communication skills
Importantly, these improvements were achieved despite the mentored group presenting with significantly greater levels of need than learners who did not receive mentoring.
This reinforces the value of combining high-quality online education with personalised pastoral support that helps learners overcome barriers beyond the classroom.
Why This Matters for Local Authorities and Schools
Demand for flexible education continues to increase.
Local Authorities and schools are supporting growing numbers of learners with:
- SEND
- Autism
- ADHD
- Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA)
- Mental health challenges
- Medical needs
- School refusal
- Reintegration programmes
- Alternative Provision requirements
Evidence based decision making has never been more important.
Our partnership with the University of Staffordshire provides valuable insight into the characteristics of learners accessing online education and highlights approaches associated with improved engagement, attendance and academic outcomes.
For commissioners seeking flexible, high quality online education, these findings provide additional confidence that personalised online learning combined with targeted mentoring can help many learners reconnect with education.
Looking Ahead
Education continues to evolve.
At Nisai, we remain committed to ensuring that innovation is driven by evidence, not assumptions.
Our partnership with the University of Staffordshire represents an important step towards understanding how online education can continue to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
As demand for flexible education grows, we believe research partnerships like these will play an increasingly important role in shaping inclusive education across the UK.
Learn More
If you’re a Local Authority, school, MAT or parent looking for an online school for SEND, alternative provision, EHCP support or flexible online education, we’d love to discuss how Nisai can support your learners.
Contact our team today to learn more about our research, our provision and how we can help children and young people unlock their potential.
