If you’re a parent hearing the word 'EOTAS' for the first time, you’re probably feeling a mix of curiosity, confusion, and maybe even worry. EOTAS - which stands for Education Other Than At School isn’t a term most families come across until something has gone very wrong in education. Yet for many children and young people, it can be the lifeline that finally makes learning possible again.
At its heart, EOTAS is about flexibility. It recognises that school isn’t always the right place for every child, even with the best support in the world. Instead of forcing a young person into an environment that isn't right for them, EOTAS asks: How can education be delivered in a way that feels safe, accessible, and meaningful for this individual child?
Why EOTAS Looks Different for Every Child
No two EOTAS packages are ever the same and that’s the beauty of it. Each plan is built entirely around the young person’s needs, strengths, and interests. For some, it might mean one-to-one tuition at home in core subjects like English and Maths. For others, it might involve creative sessions such as art, music, or drama, or physical activities like swimming and gym sessions.
Many families also use EOTAS as an opportunity to build life skills. That could be learning how to cook a simple meal, travel independently, or manage money - all the things that build confidence and independence as well as academic progress. Education is much broader than exams, and EOTAS recognises this by weaving everyday skills into learning.
Because every child’s needs are unique, every EOTAS timetable looks different. For some, sessions might be spent on structured learning, while others focus on movement or sensory activities. All EOTAS with LIT begins with short sessions purely aimed at rebuilding trust and confidence before any formal work can happen.
The Role of Relationships
One of the most important things to understand about EOTAS is that it isn’t just about what is taught, but how. Many of the children we work with at Lincoln Inclusive Tutoring (LIT) have been out of school for months, sometimes years. Some have faced repeated exclusions, others have experienced trauma or negative relationships with staff and peers.
That’s why relationships always come first. A child won’t engage with fractions, phonics, or writing until they feel safe with the adult in front of them. Sometimes the first few sessions are simply about playing a game, having a conversation, or building a routine that feels predictable. It might look like “not much learning” to the outside eye, but in reality it’s the foundation for everything that follows. Once trust is established, children begin to surprise themselves with what they can achieve.
What EOTAS Looks Like With LIT
At LIT, we provide bespoke, in-home tuition for learners aged 5 to 25 who are unable to access mainstream education full-time. We work with local authorities, schools, and families to design packages that align with a young person’s EHCP outcomes while still reflecting who they are as an individual.
For one child, that might mean three hours of structured literacy and numeracy each week alongside swimming lessons to build confidence. For another, it might look like creative projects, science experiments, and time in the community developing independence skills. We break learning down into small, achievable steps so that progress feels possible, even for those who’ve had negative experiences of education before.
Because we’re working with the learner, we also make sure every session is fully adapted. That might mean using visuals to support understanding, tailoring the pace of work to avoid overwhelm, or introducing specialist strategies such as touch typing for those who find handwriting difficult. The key is that everything is designed around the learner, not the other way around.
The Bigger Picture
Across England, more families are turning to EOTAS as a solution when school simply doesn’t work. In 2024, more than 6,000 children were recorded as being educated through EOTAS packages - a number that continues to grow year on year.
This rise reflects both the challenges within the current education system and the increasing recognition that education needs to be flexible. For children and young people with Autism, ADHD, mental health difficulties, or complex medical needs, EOTAS is not a “soft option.” It is often the only way they can truly access learning in a way that doesn’t damage their wellbeing.
A Positive Way Forward
If your child is being considered for EOTAS, it can feel daunting. But it’s important to see it not as a step backwards, but as a chance to build something new. EOTAS is about creating a learning journey that works for your child - one that puts their wellbeing, interests, and future at the centre.
At Lincoln Inclusive Tutoring, we’ve seen first-hand how powerful this approach can be. With the right environment, the right relationships, and the right support, children who once felt written off by education can rediscover their love of learning and thrive again.
So, what does an EOTAS look like? The answer is simple: it looks like whatever your child needs it to be.
Next Month's Blog: “Online vs In-Person Tuition: What Works Best for Your Child?”
In this blog, we’ll explore the pros and cons of both online and face-to-face tuition, and what this can mean for children and young people with SEND. From the flexibility and comfort of learning at home, to the benefits of in-person connection and hands-on resources, we’ll dive into how each approach can support progress in different ways.
Every child’s journey is unique and so is the way they learn. This piece will help you understand the key differences, what to consider when choosing a tuition style, and how the right fit can make all the difference to your child’s confidence, engagement, and success.
