Apply for online education accreditation
Source: gov.uk (2025-09-25)

How eligible providers of full-time online education can apply to join the DfE accreditation scheme.

The Department for Education (DfE) has introduced an online accreditation scheme (https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/online-schools-accreditation-scheme) to reassure children, parents and local authorities of the quality of education and safeguarding arrangements offered by online providers of full-time education.

Who the accreditation scheme is for

The scheme is open to providers that:
- teach online only on a permanent basis
- provide a full curriculum or represent a child’s main or only source of education
- have at least one full-time pupil of compulsory school age on roll based in England (irrespective of the number of learners based overseas)
- have a physical presence in England
- are registered with Companies House (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/companies-house) or the Charity Commission (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/charity-commission)
How the scheme works

This is a non-statutory scheme run by DfE. Providers of full-time online education to pupils of compulsory school age in England can apply to be accredited by DfE.

Ofsted will act as the quality assurance body for the scheme and will carry out visits in line with its inspection handbook (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/accreditation-visits-to-online-providers-handbook).

Before applying, providers should follow the guidance on:
- how the scheme works (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-the-online-education-accreditation-scheme-works)
- the online education standards (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-education-standards-and-how-to-meet-them)
Submit your application

Complete the online education accreditation application form (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68d5418930734bac9ba0fcdf/Online_education_accreditation_scheme_application_form_2025.docx) (MS Word Document, 413 KB) and email it to: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

By submitting an application, you agree to the terms and conditions of the online education accreditation scheme (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/641842d9d3bf7f79d3302ad9/DfE_online_education_accreditation_terms_and_conditions.pdf) (PDF, 152 KB, 5 pages).

The Department for Education personal information charter (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education/about/personal-information-charter) explains how we will handle your data.

How we process applications

DfE will check if you are eligible for the scheme, and pass all eligible applications to Ofsted for suitability checks.

If Ofsted is content that all persons checked are suitable, it will:
- inform both the provider and DfE
- arrange an accreditation visit
Once an accreditation visit has taken place, Ofsted will publish a report of its findings. DfE will use this report and any other evidence to make a decision as to whether a provider is accredited. All reports will be published even if a provider subsequently withdraws its application or if accreditation is refused.

Further information on the visits and Ofsted fees can be found in Ofsted’s inspection handbook (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/accreditation-visits-to-online-providers-handbook).

What happens when you’re accredited

If your application is successful, your online establishment will be accredited and listed on Get Information About Schools (https://www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/).

You should not claim to be accredited until you receive formal confirmation of this from DfE.