Purple Ruler

Commissioning & Compliance Pack

Introduction

Purple Ruler is an online education provider operating in the UK and the United States. We partner with schools, multi‑academy trusts, local authorities, and U.S. districts/charter networks to deliver tutoring, including High‑Impact Tutoring (HIT), and Alternative Provision. Our programmes align to the National Curriculum and UK exam boards; in the U.S., delivery aligns to district scope and sequence and state standards.

This commissioning overview sets out our operating model and delivery architecture, the quality framework that drives instructional excellence, safeguarding governance and safer‑recruitment controls, and our evidence and reporting protocols. It is designed to streamline due‑diligence against statutory and DfE expectations (e.g., KCSIE, UK GDPR) and to provide clear assurance on educational quality, safety, and accountability.

Scope of this overview

  1. Provision & delivery — service models, curriculum architecture, pricing, quality assurance (QA), and reporting
  2. Policy framework — education, safeguarding, data protection, and governance policies
  3. Safer recruitment & professional development — recruitment, induction, and ongoing training linked to QA
  4. Safeguarding governance & procedures — roles, thresholds, online‑safety controls, and assurance

Service Provision and Delivery Framework

We scope needs collaboratively and deploy the right model, timetable, and safeguards for your context. Delivery is curriculum‑aligned, data‑informed, and engineered for engagement and measurable impact.

Who we support: Purple Ruler partners with UK schools, multi‑academy trusts, and local authorities and with U.S. school districts and charter networks, to deliver online tutoring (including High‑Impact Tutoring) and Alternative Provision. We serve learners who require flexible, targeted support, including:

Delivery formats. 1:1 and small‑group (up to 6) provision, scheduled during or after the school day and integrated with school timetables, safeguarding arrangements, and curriculum sequencing.

Delivery models

Commission with confidence: select the model that fits your cohort and budget. We manage scheduling, compliance checks, and onboarding end‑to‑end for a smooth, rapid start‑up.

Curriculum & subjects

Co‑designed with commissioning partners, our curriculum architecture mirrors your schemes of learning and pacing. Progression maps, retrieval practice, and SEND scaffolds are paired with clear assessment checkpoints, so progress is visible and actionable.

Quality Assurance (QA)

Our QA loop turns observation into growth: monthly reviews against a 24‑point rubric, bite‑size coaching targets, and re‑observation to confirm impact. Insights feed PD and resourcing, so improvement is continuous and evidenced.

Reporting to schools

Leaders get the right data at the right time. We produce concise, teacher‑friendly reporting and escalate early warnings (safeguarding, low attendance) so you can intervene quickly and celebrate gains with confidence.

Safeguarding & compliance

Safeguarding is built into design, not bolted on. Safer recruitment, annual training, and online‑specific controls are underpinned by governance oversight and auditable records.

Policies in place (overview)

Our policy suite is the governance backbone of safe, compliant delivery. Documents are version‑controlled, reviewed at least annually, and aligned to KCSIE and UK GDPR to support rapid due diligence.

Core statutory / safeguarding

These policies codify robust safeguarding practice, clear escalation pathways, and lawful data handling, meeting statutory expectations and commissioner due diligence.

Education / operations

Operational policies translate intent into consistent practice: curriculum fidelity, assessment routines, attendance management, and professional conduct across remote delivery.

Recruitment & Training

Safer recruitment workflow

We recruit for values and capability, verify rigorously, and develop continuously. Training is tightly linked to QA findings, so classroom practice improves where it matters most for learners.

Our checks exceed baseline requirements and are recorded end‑to‑end. Only fully cleared staff are deployed to pupils, with governance oversight and risk assessment for any disclosures.

  1. Role definition with safeguarding responsibilities
  2. Application screening and structured interviews (incl. safeguarding scenarios)
  3. Enhanced DBS + Children’s Barred List; identity & right‑to‑work; qualifications; reference checks; overseas checks where applicable
  4. Risk assessment for any positive disclosures
  5. Induction checklist + probationary review

Induction & mandatory training (prior to teaching)

Every tutor completes a structured induction covering safeguarding, inclusive pedagogy, assessment, and remote delivery—ensuring high‑quality lessons from day one.

Ongoing CPD & QA links

Short, targeted CPD sprints respond to QA themes. Coaching targets are revisited through re‑observation, creating a transparent, supportive improvement cycle.

Tutor Allocation & Cohort Matching

We assign tutors through a structured matching process to maximise instructional fit, continuity, and impact, while meeting safeguarding and compliance requirements. Matching considers academic expertise, cohort needs, and the operational realities of your timetable.

Selection criteria

Allocation workflow

  1. Intake brief from the commissioner (cohort profile, objectives, constraints)
  2. Shortlist generated against criteria above and safeguarding clearance verified (enhanced DBS/barred‑list; identity/RTW; references; overseas checks where applicable)
  3. Principal match confirmed; where appropriate, a sample plan/micro‑observation is reviewed by QA
  4. Confirmation & onboarding: timetable issued; school receives tutor profile and safeguarding confirmation
  5. Continuity plan:named deputies/cover tutors identified; handover protocol documented for any future changes

Assurance & continuity

Learner Onboarding & Engagement

Friction‑light onboarding accelerates engagement and attendance from week one. Our process establishes clear goals, removes technical barriers, and embeds safeguarding and data‑protection norms from the outset.

Onboarding steps

  1. Referral intake & consent — collect learner details, EHCP/IEP/504 information, risk considerations, accommodations, and communication preferences (school/parent/carer) via our

Purple Ruler School Course Enrolment Portal

  1. Course Brief Creation:Defines scope and sequencing for the first 6–8 lessons, accommodations (SEND/EAL), safeguarding considerations, success criteria, and initial assessment checkpoints. Set measurable goals, agree supports (scaffolds, visuals, breaks), and capture motivators/triggers (“glimmers & triggers”)
  1. Baseline diagnostics: schedule subject pre‑assessments/reading age as appropriate; results inform initial planning
  2. Tech check & online etiquette & Whitelisting):platform test, camera/microphone norms, chat rules, and privacy expectations
  3. Orientation micro‑session (5–10 mins): meet the tutor, confirm aims, and preview first lesson routines/resources
  4. Timetable confirmation & reminders: calendar invites and agreed reminder cadence; attendance expectations clarified
  5. Safeguarding & attendance thresholds: explain raising concerns, recording, and escalation; flag <30% attendance policy
  6. Early engagement follow‑ups (Week 1–2): brief check‑ins with school (and parent/carer where appropriate) to resolve barriers quickly

Outputs to schools

Engagement safeguards

Safeguarding Procedures

Safeguarding is non‑negotiable. We combine trained staff, clear thresholds, and online‑specific controls with rigorous recording and external escalation where required to keep children safe.

Roles & accountability: Named DSL leadership, deputy cover, and governance reports provide clear lines of responsibility and assurance over practice and casework. Named DSL and Deputies oversee policy, casework, staff training, and safer recruitment. Trustees/Directors receive termly safeguarding reports.

Recognising & reporting: Staff are trained to notice early indicators and report immediately. Concerns are logged securely, triaged promptly, and shared lawfully with partners. All staff use a clear “report immediately to DSL” process for any concern; parents/carers and schools are informed in line with policy and information‑sharing guidance.

Case management: We apply agreed thresholds for early help and statutory referral, maintain chronologies, and track outcomes to ensure timely, proportionate responses. Thresholds for early help vs. referral to children’s social care; LADO procedures for allegations against staff; secure record‑keeping and chronology.

Online‑specific controls: Technical and procedural controls reduce risk in virtual settings, admittance rules, moderated chat, recording governance, and data minimisation by design. Waiting‑room admittance, verified names, camera norms agreed with schools, chat moderation, no private messaging, and screen‑share rules. Where recordings are used, retention limits apply and access is controlled.

Training & assurance: Annual KCSIE updates, spot checks, and audits of safeguarding logs validate understanding and strengthen practice throughout the year. Annual KCSIE read‑and‑acknowledge; regular updates; spot checks on staff understanding; audits of safeguarding logs and referrals.

Customer Service & Support

We keep support human, fast, and transparent. Commissioning teams get clear points of contact, proactive updates, and a tracked ticketing workflow, so nothing is missed, and urgent issues jump the queue. Every request has an accountable owner, visible status, and a defined escalation path.

Targets below are typical and can be tailored in contract schedules.

Open the support service-levels sheet

Status visibility & closure

Escalation ladder

  1. Ticket owner (Client Engagement Manager / Support)
  2. Head of Client
  3. CEO (strategic issues) / DSL (safeguarding)

Contact & escalation routes

Parent & school feedback

Help desk & ticketing

Regular communication

Student Orientation

Insurance Documents

Schedule - Hiscox Underwriting PI Combined Renewal Policy from Hiscox.pdf

Key contacts