Our Full list of FAQs
Do you hold exams? What if they struggle to leave the home?
What needs do you work with?
What if the student doesn't hold an EHCP?
If the EHCP is in process, we can look into starting admission with us. However, if the student does not hold an EHCP, our advice is always to start the process of applying for an EHCP assessment through the parent or school setting. If this is not possible, there are sometimes other agencies that will allow us to work with the student.
We are concerned about our student’s academic ability not matching their current age - will they have to follow the national curriculum?
Yes, all students follow the national curriculum, but it is taught at their academic level regardless of age.
Are you a school/attached to a school?
No, we are not a school and are not attached to a school. We are an outreach service that works with students in their own homes or out in the community to provide education to them using our qualified network of teachers and support staff across the U.K.
How are you funded?
We are funded by local authorities directly or through schools.
Are your teachers qualified?
Yes, all of our teachers and mentors are qualified in certain areas. Our staff are also all DBS checked and attend several training sessions prior to starting.
Do you have student reviews?
Yes, we hold 6 week reviews as well as annual reviews, where appropriate.
What does a Mentor do?
Our mentors are unique in that they support the student in a variety of ways. Their role amalgamates several mainstream school roles. They act as a teaching assistant in lessons, helping support the student with reading, scribing or focus. They conduct our PSHE/RSE and Life Skills curriculums, taking students through accreditations in these areas where it is possible and supporting their preparation for adulthood. They also conduct transition for the students, bridging the gap and supporting their students to transition into their next or new settings.
Do they have lessons with other children?
In the main, our pupils are taught 2:1, however there are opportunities to work with peers outside of academic lessons.
Do you have social activities where they can meet their peers?
Yes, we encourage our students to interact with and support each other at our internal events such as our Winter Showcase talent show, Awards Evening, and Sports Day.
Can lessons take place outside of the home?
This is possible once our staff have established a rapport with the student.
Can your staff take them out of the house?
Where we are able to work 2:1 with students, we are able to take them out of the home to other settings for lessons, as well as for trips with parent/carer permission.
Are your teachers specialists?
Our staff are specialists in wide variety of subjects. When our coordinators are matching pupils with staff, they are looking at who the student is most likely to engage with.
How many hours can you provide per student?
We can provide up to 21 hours per week (as a maximum). Most students will start with 9 hours a week and increase over time.
Can you provide vocational or outdoor provision?
Yes, we have settings our students are able to attend. These are integrated into their timetables with us.
Do you have a centre?
No, we do not have a centre, but we have partnerships across the U.K. and access to public areas such as libraries and community centres where our teachers can hold lessons with pupils once they are confident they can be in a public setting.
Are you part of the Local Authority?
No, we are an independent organisation that works with numerous local authorities to support students in their boroughs.
Do you offer support for young people over 18?
Yes, we support all learners from 5-25 years of age. All students are referred to us via schools, colleges and Local Authorities, if a young person has or is in the process of gaining an Education, Health and Care Plan.
Reviews
Don't just take our word for it. Read some of the reviews from our students and parents below:
It has been great and [is going] so well. The teacher is here at the moment for his second session. I can't believe what we have achieved in a week of learning. She loves it. There have been no problems or issues. It has all gone so smoothly. Thank you so much for making it work in such a short space of time!
Parent
The tutors are lovely and they have all been great - they are helping [our child] so much.
Parent
Thank you very much for the timely update, dear Michael. You are a very amazing coordinator – A+! Wishing you a wonderful day ahead.
Parent
The tutors at EK Outreach have been fantastic and I would love them to stay on next year. You have all been so supportive with everything that’s been going on.
Parent
The teacher is brilliant, the boys have never had a teacher like her. The boys have learnt a lot, the mentor is also really good. The boys really like all of the staff, including the Coordinator.
Parent
So Happy! My child has just accepted their offer for college. What a journey; I am so so proud of him and now excited for his future. So grateful for you and and your team.
Parent
So so happy (and relieved!) he passed all 3 GCSES and will now go to the college he wants to. Thank you so much for everything you have done.
Parent
I just wanted to say a huge thank you for your help and support over the last few months. My son has really flourished with homeschooling and really has bonded with all his tutors. Although home schooling was not planned, I feel his academic ability has really improved over the last few months with the teaching that has been done by the EK team.He will be sorry to say goodbye to everyone this week.
Parent
It looks like the reassurance of his home environment is a key part of him being comfortable enough to learn at EK Outreach. He has a rapport with his English teacher because they get him. He knows when not to push him too hard. Regular breaks are important for him to be able to process what he’s learning while not being overwhelmed.
Parent
Our child has been learning and engaging well with tutors at EK Outreach. We have seen an improvement in his levels of anxiety and state of mental health as he does not have to deal with a school environment.
Parent
Homeschooling with EK Outreach has been amazing for my child, I have never seen him produce so much work and focus as well as he has whilst being at home. He is far less anxious as he’s in a ‘safe space’ with far fewer distractions and people. Not having to travel to and from school (which caused him so much anxiety) has been incredibly beneficial.
Parent
At EK Outreach, they have good teachers and management who are always flexible, amazing and always champion my child.
Parent
Staff at EK Outreach have taken the time to get to know my child. Staff are proactive in helping my child to make progress. Their mentor has gone above and beyond in helping them develop their life skills and independence skills working towards their future aspirations.
Parent
We are grateful for your great communication and continued support. He has had a lot of changes in his life recently and we really appreciate your sensitivity and gentle approach to his education. Hopefully he will be more settled in the next term.
Parent
I enjoy my life skills lessons, my cooking is getting better, when I live alone I will be able to feed myself.
Student
As always it is a pleasure to work along side the team. I want to thank you and the office team for the Excellent support you’ve provided me throughout the term.
Parent
My aim is to go to university – now I feel I can get there.
Student
I just wanted to say how much I appreciate and thankful to EKOS staff they are absolutely amazing and goes out of their way with my son. Thank you so much.
Parent
My art time is the best – it’s where I can be free.
Student
I have enough qualifications to go to college and do the course I want.
Student