As the need for more flexible and inclusive approaches to education continues to grow, particularly for young people who are unable to thrive in traditional school environments, providers are increasingly exploring innovative delivery models.
In response to this evolving landscape, a Knowledge Transfer Partnership was developed in partnership with Edge Hill University and The Progress Group; a national education and training provider supporting learners through alternative provision, careers guidance, and skills training.
A Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) is a collaborative programme that brings together an organisation, a university, and a dedicated graduate, known as a KTP Associate, to address a specific strategic challenge. Part-funded by Innovate UK, KTPs are designed to apply academic expertise to real-world problems, helping organisations develop new capabilities, products, or services.
This KTP project focused on a key opportunity: designing and embedding an AI-enabled virtual alternative provision model, with the aim of enabling Progress Schools to deliver high-quality, personalised online education to those unable to attend school in person.
The KTP was led by Antony James, Edge Hill University’s KTP Associate, who was drawn to the programme by the opportunity to apply academic research to real-world challenges. Reflecting on his motivation for joining the project, Antony said:
“The KTP role with The Progress Group brought together several areas of interest: data science, artificial intelligence, and full-stack software development. Equally important, however, was the project’s educational focus. Previously, I had tutored GCSE students, which highlighted the barriers many young people face in education. This made the opportunity to design technology that directly supports those learners particularly meaningful.”
Throughout the project, Antony was supervised by academics from the Department of Computer Science at Edge Hill University, who contributed expertise in data analytics, artificial intelligence, and research methodology. Professor Ella Pereira, from the Department of Computer Science, said:
“I am pleased to have had the opportunity to contribute to the successful completion of this project. I particularly value the opportunities it created for The Progress Group, enabling it to deliver personalised learning experiences by integrating AI enhanced teaching and learning tools into its provision.”
At the outset, the project aimed to scope and prototype a virtual school model that could extend Progress Schools’ specialist provision into an online platform. The goal was to support learners who were unable to consistently attend physical classrooms.
As the project evolved, its focus shifted towards developing a personalised AI engine capable of automating aspects of lesson sequencing and feedback. The system was designed to deliver tailored teaching experiences for individual learners, while also helping teachers reduce administrative workload through more efficient planning, marking, and monitoring processes.
Crucially, the system was built to ensure that teachers could review and override AI recommendations, reinforcing the principle that technology should support, rather than replace, professional judgement.
The KTP has significantly strengthened The Progress Group’s capabilities in digital and AI-driven education. By developing both a working AI-enabled platform and the internal expertise required to maintain and extend it, the organisation has enhanced its ability to design and deliver virtual education services.
Alongside applications used by students and teachers, internal AI tools were also developed to support business processes. These innovations have increased the organisation’s practical capacity to adopt and apply AI technologies in its day-to-day operations. Group CEO of The Progress Group, Jayne Worthington said of the KTP:
“Working with Edge Hill through the KTP programme has enabled us to accelerate our digital transformation, by bringing in a dedicated specialist resource. The access to academic expertise and insight has been invaluable in shaping both our product development and wider business strategy.”
However, the impact of the project extends beyond organisational benefits. For Antony, the KTP has been a transformative professional experience.
“Managing the project end-to-end required significant ownership and responsibility. This pushed me to develop as an independent researcher-practitioner…while also providing valuable experience in communication, facilitation, and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams within a business environment.
I was also given the opportunity to study for a PhD alongside the project, attend conferences, and network with experts from multiple fields.”
Although the KTP has now concluded, its impact will continue. The Progress Group plans to build on the research and prototype platform by integrating the AI engine into additional products and services. The work completed during the partnership provides a strong technological foundation and opens new opportunities for future development.
For Antony, the next step is completing his PhD and progressing into a new academic role. Asked to offer advice to future participants, Antony said:
“I would encourage future KTP Associates and participating organisations to approach the programme with curiosity and openness. Innovation often requires experimenting with ideas quickly, learning from early failures, and refining solutions rapidly. Being willing to explore new approaches and iterate quickly can ultimately lead to stronger and more effective outcomes. I would like to sincerely thank everyone at Edge Hill University and The Progress Group for this wonderful opportunity.”
Edge Hill University has a solid background in innovating companies through KTP partnerships. Ella said, “We are always very keen to engage in KTPs, as they provide valuable opportunities to connect with industry and deliver real-world applications of our academic work. These collaborations and knowledge exchange activities enhance our teaching and help us prepare graduates for highly skilled professional roles.”
If you want to know more about KTPs and how they could benefit your business or organisation, please contact: [email protected]
