Best Startup
EDClass is an online platform that offers a virtual learning classroom and management portal with resources to impact learning, assessment and catch-up.
We have been providing a robust and safeguarded platform for over 13 years delivering personalised learning for remote, blended and flexible learning with UK qualified teachers available, live and on-demand.
Tell us about yourself?
Lee Bell is Senior Manager of EDClass and has been with the company since he was 16. Lee attended York St. John University and upon graduation rejoined EDClass and has seen the progression of the company into what it is today.
Lee has now taken lead management of the company and now oversees every aspect including development, marketing and customer service.
If you could go back in time a year or two, what piece of advice would you give yourself?
I would probably tell myself to have the methodical approach that I have to my work that I have now. We were working during COVID but we were just trying to strategise things. Had we had this already in place, we perhaps may have been even further in the business than what we are now.
What problem does your business solve?
EDClass is an online alternative provision that supports students who cannot access mainstream education whether it because of behaviour, mental health, risk of exclusion or other reasons.
Other online alternative provisions just simply supply materials to students and leave them to their own devices. Whereas EDClass provides over 17,000 lessons and nearly 2,000 video lessons with a RAG approach monitoring their progression and attainment levels including regular assessments.
Students also benefit from one-to-one support from UK-qualified teachers whenever they require assistance with their learning or well-being and this can be delivered via webcam video chat or text, whatever the student is most comfortable with.
Safeguarding is also paramount at EDClass. Students fill out safety questionnaires at the start of their learning to ensure they and their environment are conducive for learning.
Additionally, the IP address of the students’ devices are collected and webcams are also required so that EDClass knows that they are learning. Safety alerts also sound within the office if there is ever an issue with a student and this is then dealt with the utmost urgency communicating with the school.
Everything is also recorded for safeguarding purposes so that the student is as safe as possible whilst they are on the platform.
What is the inspiration behind your business?
EDClass originally derived from EDLounge. Over 14 years ago, students at Balby Carr were misbehaving and were on the verge of being permanently excluded.
That’s when EDLounge stepped in and supplied content and safeguarding to those students which helped continue their education, support the school and save on costs.
EDClass took over EDLounge’s services 2 years ago with EDLounge now being an apprenticeship portfolio platform.
What is your magic sauce?
EDClass’ huge benefit is the ability of one-to-one support from UK-qualified teachers and also the safeguarding aspect that is delivered through the platform. Nobody else supplies the same support in an online alternative provision setting at the extremely affordable prices that the platform offers.
What is the plan for the next 5 years? What do you want to achieve?
Over the next 5 years EDClass wants to hopefully be within every school within the UK that requires immediate alternative provision support. The content supplied is also being constantly worked on and upgraded and we hope to include a more variety of subjects with the new camera equipment we are acquiring.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?
The biggest challenge EDClass has faced so far I would have to say has been dealing with COVID. We had to make several redundancies which hampered the progress of the company, but we are rebuilding now and looking to meet the needs of our schools and students to the highest standards.
How do people get involved/buy into your vision?
EDClass works out to just £35 per day for Secondary schools and £13 for Primary schools. EDClass can offer a free trial of the platform so you can use the platform for yourself. Alternatively, one of our representatives can walk you through a free online demonstration. Please fill out a form here: https://pages.edclass.com/edclassfreedemo/
