A pioneering digital learning programme is transforming lives across Scotland, helping young people reconnect with education from the comfort of home.
Over the past year, more than 200 interrupted learners have been supported by e-Sgoil’s i-Sgoil programme, a live, online initiative designed to break down barriers to learning.
The success of this work is showcased in the newly published 2025 Evidence of Impact Report, which highlights the programme’s growing reach and the real difference it is making.
Interrupted learners are young people who have had extended breaks from school, often due to ill-health, anxiety or complex family circumstances.
For these pupils, stepping back into a traditional classroom can feel impossible.
That is where i-Sgoil steps in, offering a carefully structured and fully digital path back into learning.
Young people stay enrolled in their local school but take part in live, interactive lessons delivered by e-Sgoil teachers in a way that suits their individual needs.
The aim is simple.
To give each pupil a safe, supported way back into education.
Steven Graham, Head of School at e-Sgoil, says this flexible approach is producing powerful results.
“Each year there are learners in Scotland who cannot continue their education in traditional settings,” he said.
“For these learners, i-Sgoil offers a tailored and accessible solution that is delivering real results.”
Teachers work in close partnership with families, carers and local schools to make sure every pupil is informed, supported and heard throughout their learning journey.
This personal connection is key, especially since many learners never meet their e-Sgoil teachers in person.
The latest figures show how far-reaching the programme has become.
In the 2024 to 2025 academic year, 406 requests for support were received and 231 learners were supported.
Currently, 186 pupils are engaged in active online learning through i-Sgoil, and 34 have already made the transition back to part-time or full-time schooling.
The data is encouraging, but the real story lies in the human impact.
The pupils who now feel capable of rejoining their education and the parents who see their children regaining confidence.
Reflecting on the report, Steven Graham said the team was proud of how digital tools are helping reach learners wherever they are in Scotland.
“The commitment of our staff towards young people they have never actually met is admirable,” he said.
“We look forward to building on this work in the year ahead.”
As Scotland continues to explore new ways of making education accessible to all, i-Sgoil is proving that innovation, empathy and technology can come together to change lives.
