Supporting SEND Learners

Adaptive Learning

CENTURY is an adaptive platform designed to deliver Quality First Teaching and a truly differentiated provision for every student. The principle of Quality First Teaching emphasises effective teaching strategies and practices that are designed to meet the diverse learning needs of all students, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), from the outset. By constantly assessing student understanding, identifying individual strengths and weaknesses, and strategically revisiting concepts at optimal intervals to strengthen memory, CENTURY empowers all learners, including those with SEND, to make sustained progress and retain knowledge for the long term.

CENTURY’s Learning Material

Our content is underpinned by cognitive neuroscience, including Cognitive Load Theory. This ensures information is presented in manageable chunks to prevent overload, particularly beneficial for students with working memory challenges. We also integrate Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction and the foundations of Quality First Teaching to create a structured and effective learning experience. Learn more about how CENTURY’s content and features support SEND learners here.

There are various ways you can use CENTURY to support SEND learners. Some usage models that might work for you include:

Flexible Usage Models for Targeted SEND Support

• Targeted Intervention via Assignments: Teachers can set specific nuggets to address identified needs using Assignments, or create a ‘Smart Assignment’ for work tailored to CENTURY’s recommendations.

• Learner-Led Exploration: Students, supported by adults or independently, can navigate their ‘My Courses’ tab or their ‘Learner Dashboard’ to review strengths, areas for improvement, and access their ‘Focus and Stretch’ recommendations, fostering self-regulation.

Accessibility Features:

• Subtitles on learning material: All learning videos on CENTURY have subtitles to support student learning. Learn more about enabling subtitles here.

• Colour overlay: Learners can apply colour overlays within nuggets on CENTURY; some students will find this reduces visual distortions and makes text easier to read. Learn how to activate colour overlays here.

• Adjustable Video Playback Speed: Allows learners to slow down or speed up video content to match their individual processing pace, aiding comprehension for students with cognitive, auditory, or language processing differences and also useful for EAL students.

• Image Zoom: Those with visual impairments who use their broswer’s zoom functionality to access websites, will be able continue doing so while on CENTURY with our adaptive design. 

• No Time Limits: Students are free to take the time they need to answer questions in nuggets and diagnostics.

• Text-to-Speech: We recommend a text-to-speech tool such as “Read Aloud” for any learners with visual impairments or for those who struggle with reading.

Full details can be found in our Platform Accessibility Information.

Working Below Age-Related Expectations

Learners who are working significantly below their age-related expectations may need access to different courses which are appropriate to them. We have a range of courses available, including a suite of  Functional Skills courses. 

Please reach out to your Account Manager or support@century.tech if you would like to discuss your class set-up on CENTURY.

Fostering Student Motivation and Engagement

CENTURY is designed to keep learners actively engaged and motivated in their learning journey. Beyond personalised pathways, the platform utilises features like badges and streaks to celebrate progress and encourage consistent effort, which can be particularly motivating for students with SEND, fostering a sense of achievement and self-efficacy.

Parental and Guardian Engagement

Parental engagement is profoundly beneficial for students with SEND because parents and guardians possess unique insights into their child’s needs, strengths, and challenges, making them invaluable partners in the educational process. Their involvement can lead to improved academic achievement, better social-emotional development, and more effective tailored interventions, ultimately enhancing the child’s overall learning experience and outcomes.

CENTURY’s Guardian Portal significantly facilitates this by allowing parents to directly view their child’s progress, strengths, and areas for improvement on the platform. This real-time access enables parents to have informed conversations with their child and teachers, provide targeted support at home, and actively participate in their child’s personalised learning journey, fostering a stronger home-school partnership crucial for SEND success.

Data and Reporting

CENTURY’s analytics can be used by SEND Co-ordinators and teachers to:

• Identify areas of difficulty.

• Inform individualised learning plans and targeted interventions.

• Monitor progress and adjust support as needed.

This data-driven insight empowers educators to continuously refine individual learning plans, ensuring provision remains truly personalised and effective.

Last updated: Summer 2025