National Online SEND School Expands Access to Pupils in Cornwal

New Online SEND School Expands Access for Cornish Families

Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Cornwall who are unable to attend traditional school now have a new option. The National Online School (NOS), part of TCES Group, is the first Department for Education-accredited online SEND school and is offering tailored places for children in the county.

The school, which has celebrated GCSE results outperforming the national average pass rate, has also launched a new website as it welcomes a record number of pupils this academic year.

Rising Absence Levels Across England

Recent Department for Education figures show that school absence is at a record high in England, with more than 170,000 children classed as “severely absent”, missing at least half of their lessons last year.

For many families, especially those with children holding an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), NOS is proving to be a vital lifeline. Mainstream schooling often struggles to meet the needs of these children, and NOS offers everything expected from an onsite school but within an online environment.

Specialist Support for Every Child

All NOS teachers are both subject specialists and SEN trained, with the ability to meet the diverse needs of each pupil. Alongside this, the school places a strong focus on therapeutic education, helping students rebuild confidence, adapt to learning, and find success in a safe space.

Headteacher Kirsten Roy explained:

“The fact is that traditional school settings do not suit every child. Our pupils have complex needs and may have been through significant trauma, have acute anxiety and have completely disengaged from education. We help them rebuild their confidence, understand their emotions, work with their parents and wrap a team of support around them so they can start to enjoy learning in a safe online space.”

She added:

“We offer everything you would expect at an onsite school but our approach is very different. We have specialist and therapists to create bespoke tailored support for each individual child so they can grow, heal and plan for their future, something which often has seemed out of reach.”

Building a Community Online

NOS describes itself as a community where pupils enjoy assemblies, sports week, practical science experiments and even work experience. Teachers are encouraged to build strong relationships with students, offering encouragement and care that helps them thrive.

How Parents Can Access Places

Placements at the National Online School are primarily funded by local authorities through an EHCP. Parents are advised to contact their SEND Case Worker or EHCP Coordinator and ask them to send a consultation to the school. Privately funded placements may also be considered.

More details can be found at nationalonlineschool.org.uk.

About the School

The National Online School provides education for neurodiverse students aged 7 to 25. All pupils have an Education, Health and Care Plan, often with a diagnosis of SEMH (social, emotional and mental health needs) and/or ASC (autism spectrum condition).

As part of the TCES Group, the largest SEND education provider in London, NOS operates under a ‘zero-exclusion’ policy. Students are referred by local authorities across the country and are placed after a needs-based assessment.