Nisai achieve Inclusive School Award

June 23, 2026

---

Nisai Virtual Academy is an inspiring online education provider which serves students aged from 9 to 25 years. 85% of students have an Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP). Many student access learning at home, but some access learning online while attending a home school. Nisai offers a personalised approach to learning which recognises the individual learning journey of each student and offers carefully tailored support. The primary aim of every member of staff is to equip students with the skills they need to be as successful as possible in life. This highly tailored and customised approach ensures that every student is included and supported.

The importance of inclusion is evident in how progression is not measured solely through academic scores, but through holistic markers such as moving from private chatrooms to public, having the confidence to respond in the chat, and speaking through a microphone. Lessons are grouped based on initial assessment and not by age.                                                                                              Some learners attend one class, others attend more.

Staff at Nisai listen to the unique story of each student who arrives, understanding them and making sure that their programme of learning works for them. Nisai offers a high quality of teaching and a secure, structured online learning environment. In person and virtual mentoring is offered alongside teaching which aims to help develop resilience and confidence. Leaders are forward-thinking and outward facing.  Staff ‘love what they are doing’ and are fully committed to the journey of all learners.

Enabling attendance

Nisai recognises the importance of attendance. Their main aim is to rebuild the confidence of learners, many of whom have struggled in traditional mainstream education – promoting attendance is central to this. Ensuring lessons are accessible and inclusive for all has played a major role in improving attendance at Nisai, which has in turn helped the progress of students.  Meaningful engagement is important, with contributions monitored each lesson. All lessons are also recorded, which supports the ability to revise, recap or revisit a specific lessons or topic, with some students accessing recordings only rather than live lessons – this ensures that all students can engage in learning, even if they miss a lesson or are unable to attend lessons for any reason. This allows celebration of all students as they reach engagement and contribution goals.

Nisai works hard to build good relationships with parents, carers and learners to ensure that all needs are considered and met. These highly positive relationships have allowed for greater clarity surrounding reasons for absence, so that barriers can be reduced or removed, support can be offered and there is a greater holistic awareness of the learner.

Consistency in excellence

The Exams and Progression lead is extremely passionate about ensuring that every student has the correct exam entries and access arrangements for exam centres as needed. Due to the wide spread of learners across many local authorities, this is something which requires focus and efficiency. A structured and comprehensive approach to exam entries has been developed with clearly defined team expectations and requirements. Leaders are extremely focused on removing any stress from families or learners when it comes to finding exam centres, and entering exams, seeking to make this as smooth as possible. Course lists and detail documents are reviewed to make sure that exam requirements are clearly communicated. Learners with need of access arrangements, and special considerations are documented and this becomes part of their “normal way of working.”

The inclusion and provision of courses which can accommodate remote invigilation ensures that courses are accessible for more students. Clear communication, and support arrangements allows maximum ease for students and their families. This gives every young person the greatest number of opportunities, with no pre-judgement.

Nisai is able to reach students anywhere in the world. They re-engage learners and reignite a love of learning, with high expectations and aspirations for all. We are happy to recognise them as an Inclusive School.