• Online school vs traditional school
• What to look for when choosing an online school
• 10 questions to ask when choosing an online school
What is online school?
Many people associate the rise of online schools with the COVID-19 pandemic, but the concept of the "virtual school" was coined in 1988 by Norwegian professor and online education pioneer Morten Paulsen. In the UK, this concept is more commonly referred to as "online school," and both the definition and its applications continue to evolve. Families and students turn to online schools for a variety of reasons: to supplement existing studies, support diverse learning needs, build study skills for university, or enable students to focus on balancing their schoolwork alongside a career in sport or the arts. While some families use online schools as a complete alternative to traditional schooling, many choose them to complement their child’s education through part-time learning.
The motivations for choosing online education are as unique as the families themselves. Flexibility is often a key factor - whether due to health issues, geographical constraints, frequent mobility, or cost-effectiveness. Some students use online schools to balance academic qualifications like GCSEs and A-levels with extracurricular commitments. Others turn to online education for enhanced university preparation, including opportunities to take the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and engage in super-curricular electives. Online learning’s adaptability allows students to pursue their academic and professional ambitions side by side.
Expert help for choosing an online school
School Guide has created this guide to online schools with leading industry expert Heather Rhodes. Heather Rhodes has been a pioneer in online education for over ten years and prepared this guide based on her experience in the sector. Heather was the founding Principal of Harrow School Online, the world’s most academically successful A level online school, and more recently launched Highgrove Education, an international online school offering a world-class education for GCSEs and A levels.
5 tips for choosing an online school
Choosing an online school requires careful consideration of several factors to ensure it meets your needs. Here’s a checklist to help you make the right decision:
1. Leadership and vision
The leadership and vision of an online school are key indicators of its quality and approach. Begin by engaging with the leadership team, including the Head and admissions staff. Their educational philosophy and values should align with your family’s needs and aspirations. A welcome message from the Head or Founder can offer valuable insight into their goals for supporting students academically and personally.
Transparency in leadership is crucial. Experienced providers like Highgrove Education, King’s InterHigh and Cambridge Homeschool Online, known for their established reputations, serve as excellent benchmarks. The UK’s online school sector is diverse, catering to students as young as 4 to adults, with enrolments ranging from small cohorts to over 7,000 pupils. Fees vary from £1,000 to £35,000 per year, depending on the school and the type of programme. There are a wide range of qualifications available, including GCSEs, A-levels, the International Baccalaureate (IB), and specialised courses also known as electives or super-curriculars popular with competitive universities. The sense of school community and the extracurricular programmes tend to differentiate online schools from tutoring organisations, which will typically provide online lessons in core subjects, with fees for one-to-one lessons ranging from £25 to upwards of £200 per hour.
To make an informed choice, research thoroughly and understand each school’s vision and purpose. Consider what’s important to you – whether that’s personalised learning, small class sizes, or a thriving sense of community. Ask about their goals for students and how they support academic and personal growth. This clarity will help you select a school that aligns with your child’s needs and aspirations.
2. Reputation and outcomes
A school’s reputation and outcomes are key indicators of its quality and the value it can bring to your child’s education. If academic attainment is a factor in your decision, begin by investigating the school’s examination performance. What are their average GCSE or A Level grades? Do they track and share their value-added scores, which measure how much progress pupils make relative to their starting points? High-quality online schools not only prioritise academic rigour but also focus on developing well-rounded individuals with essential skills such as collaboration, resilience, and creativity.
Pastoral support also plays a significant role in academic outcomes. Schools with strong systems for pastoral care often demonstrate better results because they support the whole child, not just their academic performance.
At Highgrove Education, we are proud of the excellent A Level results of our team, which show that online learning can result in academic outcomes that complete with some of the strongest independent schools in the country. In August 2024: 50% of students achieved A*; 75% achieved A or A*; 88% achieved A to B*, far exceeding the national average of 9.3% A* grades.
For academically ambitious students, it’s important to look beyond the grades and find out what pupils have gone on to study at university. When choosing an online school, also ask how they prepare students for the future and support they are given with preparation for university access examinations such as STEP, UCAT & IELTS. Consider the universities and courses their graduates have gone on to and inquire about how they help students build critical skills for life beyond school. A strong school will have clear evidence of both academic outcomes and personal development, giving you confidence in how your child will benefit from their education.
3. Curriculum and teaching
When choosing an online school, consider the curriculum it follows and its exam providers. The curriculum should align with your child’s academic goals and future aspirations. For instance, Highgrove Education delivers GCSE and A Level courses within the Pearson Edexcel framework, a globally recognised standard, with external examinations taken at approved centres to ensure credibility. Students considering an IB might want to look at King’s InterHigh or Crimson Global Academy.
Look beyond the core curriculum to the extracurricular and super-curricular options available, as these can greatly enrich your child’s education and university applications. Highgrove Education’s electives programme, for example, includes the Introduction to Investment course, which provides a foundation in finance and prepares students for the CISI Level 3 Award. This internationally recognised qualification opens pathways into fields such as capital markets, compliance, and wealth management, and is the first step towards qualifying as a stockbroker.
The teaching team is equally important. Start by exploring the school’s website to assess the professional background and expertise of its staff. Teachers at Highgrove Education, for example, reflect the school’s roots in the academic rigor pioneered by Harrow School Online. Other schools have diverse origins which reflect their ethos and outlook - such as Minerva Virtual Academy, which evolved from a tutoring agency, or UK Virtual School, which has a clear homeschooling vibe. Each school’s teaching team will have unique strengths, so it’s worth researching their qualifications and experience thoroughly.
Online schools are not always bound by the Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) requirement typical of traditional state schools. However, it’s vital to confirm that staff are experienced subject specialists who have undergone all necessary safeguarding checks. Look at the School’s Safeguarding Policy to ensure there is a designated safeguarding lead is in place. A strong teaching team with provision for support and pastoral care ensures your child will receive high-quality education tailored to their needs and ambitions.
4. Student support
Student support is a crucial consideration when selecting an online school. Pastoral care varies widely between providers, so it’s important to evaluate the support on offer and consider your child’s unique needs. Check that the school has a SENDCo regardless of whether your child has a SEND requirement, because it’s a sign of rigour and good provision. Look for specific examples of how support is delivered and seek insights from friends, family, or other parents familiar with online education.
At Highgrove Education, each pupil is assigned a dedicated learning coach who provides personalised guidance throughout their studies. This is especially valuable during the Sixth Form years, when students often need advice on university choices, career pathways, and preparation for life beyond school. Learning coaches ensure students stay on track academically while navigating important decisions.
For international families, English as a Second Language (ESL) support is a key consideration. Good online schools will offer tailored ESL programs to help non-native speakers build confidence and excel in an English-language curriculum – an essential resource for those aiming for English-speaking universities.
For students with diverse learning needs, a robust support system is vital. Consider whether your child would be better off studying alongside others with a similar need, or joining a school that admits a wider range of learners. Providers like Gaia Learning specialise in supporting neurodivergent learners, including those with autism or ADHD, while The Online School works predominantly with pupils with emotional based school avoidance. Students who are less academic but enjoy gaming may enjoy one of the esports-focused courses at Minerva Virtual Academy and Sophia High School.
Understanding how your child will be supported is essential for their success in an online learning environment. Strong pastoral care not only aids academic progress but also addresses personal and emotional needs, laying the groundwork for long-term achievement.
5. Learning approach and delivery
Understanding the learning approach and delivery method is crucial when evaluating an online school, particularly if the course will either complement traditional schooling or replace it entirely. Knowing how lessons are structured and delivered will help you determine whether the approach suits your child’s needs and schedule.
Online lessons can be delivered live (synchronously) for real-time interaction or asynchronously, allowing students to learn at their own pace. Both methods have benefits, but it’s important to ask how the timetable is structured, especially for families in different time zones. Flexibility in scheduling live lessons is vital for accessibility.
For example, Highgrove Education offers pupils at GCSE and A level two live lessons per week per subject, each lasting around 45 minutes, with the option of morning or afternoon sessions. This flexibility ensures students worldwide can join lessons that suit their schedules.
Unlike traditional rigid timetables, many online schools adopt adaptable approaches. First class online schools use interactive self-study materials enabling students to access materials in advance. This flipped learning model encourages independent engagement with materials before live lessons, which are then used to deepen understanding and address key concepts. Interactive questions and dynamic lesson formats further consolidate learning.
The UK online education landscape is also embracing hybrid models, combining in-person classes with online study, and offering part-time options like one-to-one tuition, independent study support, or additional courses alongside existing studies.
When assessing an online school’s learning approach, ask about the course structure, material delivery, and student support. Clear answers will help ensure the approach aligns with your child’s academic goals and personal circumstances.
10 Questions to ask when choosing an online school
1. Tell me about the online school and its educational approach.
2. What is the lesson structure? Are lessons live, recorded, or a mix of both?
3. Can you provide details on your fees for both full-time and part-time learning options, including any additional costs (e.g., exam fees or extracurricular activities)?
4. What is the school community like, and is there a chance for pupils to make friends?
5. What are your typical class sizes, and how do teachers engage with students in both group and one-to-one settings?
6. What opportunities are there for extracurricular and super-curricular activities?
7. How does the school support students with diverse learning needs, including SEND and EAL (English as an Additional Language)?
8. Can you share examples of university destinations or career pathways pursued by your students?
9. What level of pastoral care and academic support is available to students, and how is it delivered?
10. How flexible is your timetable, particularly for those balancing other commitments?
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About Heather Rhodes
Heather Rhodes has been a pioneer in online education for over ten years. She was the founding Principal of Harrow School Online, the world’s most academically successful A level online school, and more recently launched Highgrove Education, an international online school offering a world-class education for GCSEs and A levels. Contact Highgrove Education: [email protected]. Discover more about Highgrove Education.
Key terms in online learning
Asynchronous Learning: Lessons and materials that students can access at any time, allowing for self-paced study.
Blended Learning: A combination of online and in-person education, offering flexibility and enhancing student engagement.
Electives: Optional courses or subjects offered beyond the core curriculum, allowing students to explore additional interests and skills.
English as a Second Language (ESL): Support services for students whose first language is not English, helping them achieve academic success in an English-speaking environment.
EPQ (Extended Project Qualification): A research-based qualification offered in the UK, allowing students to explore a topic in depth and develop skills in research, critical thinking, and academic writing.
Flipped Learning: An instructional approach where students review content independently before class, allowing in-class time for discussion and application.
Full-time Online Schooling: Online education that replaces traditional schooling entirely, often offering a complete curriculum and school experience.
Independent Study: A learning method where students take responsibility for their education, often supported by online resources, without direct teacher supervision.
Learning Management System (LMS): A digital platform that organizes and delivers educational content, tracks student progress, and facilitates communication between teachers and students.
MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses): Free or low-cost online courses open to large numbers of participants, often offered by universities and online platforms.
Open Educational Resources (OER): Free educational materials available online, including textbooks, videos, and lesson plans, designed for use in teaching and learning.
Part-time Learning: Online education that supplements traditional schooling, often focusing on specific subjects or additional qualifications like the EPQ.
Pastoral Support: Non-academic support provided by schools, including mentoring, counselling, and well-being services, to help students thrive personally and academically.
QTS (Qualified Teacher Status): A qualification in the UK that teachers in state schools must have, though not always required in online schools.
Self-Paced Learning: A study model allowing students to progress through material at their own speed, common in asynchronous learning formats.
Synchronous Learning: Real-time learning sessions where students and teachers interact live, often through video conferencing tools.
UCAS Points: A system used in the UK to measure qualifications and help students gain entry into higher education institutions.
Virtual Learning: Learning that takes place through digital platforms, either synchronously (live) or asynchronously (pre-recorded), often accessed through a learning management system (LMS).
