With increased funding for Ofsted to bolster multi-academy trust (MAT) inspections and the confirmation of a long overdue autumn schools white paper on SEND reform, schools and MATs are no doubt looking for effective ways to meet these evolving expectations.
At Skolon, we believe that digital tools are not just ‘things’ that are ‘nice to have’; they are strategic assets that can empower educators to navigate changes, enhance accountability, and foster truly inclusive learning environments.

Transparency and data for MATs: Meeting the new accountability demands

The government’s objective to “increase accountability of MAT leaders” is a clear signal. For MATs operating across multiple schools, trying to gain a comprehensive overview of resource utilisation, curriculum delivery, and student engagement can be a complex challenge. This is where a centralised digital platform like Skolon becomes a true asset. 

Making management much simpler, Skolon acts as a single hub where all your digital learning resources are accessed and managed across every school in your MAT. Skolon provides this transparency by:

• Centralising resource deployment: Leaders can see which digital tools and learning platforms are being used in each school, ensuring consistency and identifying areas for improvement.
• Tracking engagement & utilisation: Those who need to can gain insight into how often specific resources are accessed by both teachers and pupils. This data can inform procurement decisions, identify popular and underutilised tools, and demonstrate effective resource allocation.
• Facilitating consistent practice: By providing a unified access point to approved resources, Skolon helps MATs ensure a consistent quality of education across their academies, which is a key aspect of Ofsted’s focus. Furthermore, seamless access through single sign-on (SSO) ensures that all users across the MAT can easily access their resources, promoting consistent engagement and providing more accurate data for accountability purposes.

This data-driven approach not only helps MATs demonstrate robust management but also provides actionable insights to continually refine their educational provision.

Streamlining SEND provision: Towards a more inclusive system

The upcoming schools white paper on SEND reform aims to “make the system more inclusive and improve outcomes for all children and young people.” Digital tools are powerful enablers for achieving this ambitious goal.

Skolon is designed with inclusivity at its core, offering features that directly support diverse learning needs:

• Accessible learning materials: Many digital resources available through Skolon offer features like text-to-speech, adjustable font sizes, colour overlays, and translation capabilities, catering to a wide range of learning styles and accessibility requirements.
• Personalised learning pathways: Teachers can easily differentiate instruction by assigning specific digital activities or resources to individual students or small groups based on their needs, allowing for truly personalised learning journeys.
• Engagement and motivation: Interactive digital content can be incredibly engaging for students who might struggle with traditional methods, fostering greater participation and motivation.
• Flexibility and adaptability: Digital environments allow for greater flexibility in how and when learning takes place, accommodating students with varying schedules or who benefit from learning in different settings. Crucially, Skolon’s user-friendly login options, including QR code login, significantly reduce barriers for all learners, especially those with SEND who may find complex passwords challenging. This simplified access fosters greater independence and engagement, ensuring all students can seamlessly access their tailored learning resources.

By providing easy access to a wide range of adaptable digital learning materials, Skolon equips schools with the tools necessary to deliver on the promise of an inclusive education system where every child can thrive.

Evidence of impact and efficient reporting

For both Ofsted inspections and internal reviews of SEND provision, demonstrating impact and progress is paramount, with digital platforms significantly streamlining this process. While not a dedicated assessment tool, Skolon can provide data on student engagement with learning materials, which can contribute to a broader picture of progress. Additionally, schools can also easily pull reports on resource deployment and usage, providing clear evidence of how digital tools are being leveraged to support teaching and learning, including specific interventions for SEND students. 

Ultimately, by centralising access and simplifying data collection, Skolon reduces the administrative burden on teachers and leaders, freeing them up to focus on what matters most: educating students. This efficiency is critical in a climate of tight real-terms funding increases.

Skolon: A strategic tool for modern education

The ever-changing landscape of education demands more in every sense of the word. With Ofsted’s sharpened focus on MAT accountability and the government’s commitment to SEND reform, digital platforms are no longer a luxury but a necessity.

Skolon is more than just a content delivery system; it’s a strategic tool that supports schools and MATs in achieving their goals. By fostering transparency, enabling inclusive practices, providing valuable data, and streamlining operations, Skolon empowers leaders to meet new expectations, demonstrate impact, and ultimately, create a more effective and equitable education system for all.

This is Skolon – we gather the best digital educational tools and make them work in the classroom.

Skolon is an independent platform for digital educational tools and learning resources, created for both teachers and students. With Skolon, accessing and using your digital educational tools is easy – security increases, administration decreases, and there’s more time for learning.

The digital educational tools come from both small and large providers, all of whom have one thing in common – they create digital educational tools that are beneficial for the school environment.