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Find advice from other parents on our Homeschool forum. You may also find our round up of the best online learning resources useful.

Original poster

Online schools

36 replies

YorkshireTeaDrinker2 · 08/02/2024 06:57

My DD (Y8) is struggling with school atm. There were some signs of classroom anxiety in primary, but her school were lovely and worked with her to address it. However, transition to secondary has been a challenge and her anxiety is now at a level where she is asking not to have to go to school, is v distressed about moving around school / being in busy spaces.

she has always been a very different child at home to how she is in school, and it seems to be getting more pronounced. She says she feels safe at home and is asking to be home schooled.

Whilst I can see that there has probably been a long build up to the school avoidance that is happening now, it’s probably come out of no where as far as school are concerned. Her school have responded compassionately, with some immediate small adjustments (I.e early exit from class so she can move to the next class before the corridors are busy, offering short days) and I am due to meet the head of year today to discuss.

However, I want my DD to thrive in her education, rather than merely surviving. I have started looking at alternatives options. I work full time, but in a role that is 100% wfh (work for a global IT company where such contracts are common and likely to persist). I am unlikely to be able to stop work and dedicate myself to home Ed 100%, but I am in a good place to be able to support her in an online school.

All of which is a long preamble to asking, have you any recent experience of online school that you can share? I have been looking particularly at Minerva’s Virtual Academy and Kings InterHigh. Also looked at Wolsey Hall Oxford and the pre 16 options at our local 6th form college. I am keen to get feedback from people with DC in these settings, but also other online providers.

I want to give her the best shot of being able to engage fully in her current school, but am keen to understand what the alternatives are. And I guess to be assured that there are alternatives and the sky won’t fall in if she doesn’t stay in mainstream school.

OP posts:
Octavia64 · 08/02/2024 07:03

My DC did King's inter high.

It was good for a few months, but the teacher called on her to answer something and she became increasingly anxious as out the online lessons as she had about the face to face.

The online school itself is good and would recommend.

My DC then had a year out of education before starting at a college face to face where she was given a lot of support.

usernamebore · 28/02/2024 15:56

We are in a similar situation and heading to Minerva in April. So far very impressed - much more focus on the individual student that Interhigh, plus the kids all have weekly 1-1 mentoring sessions. They also ask you detailed questions when you join about your child's specific needs and will adapt the learning for them - for example allowing them to have the camera off when they need it, not being asked questions, not having to do group work etc.

Motherhood97 · 18/03/2024 09:02

I’m also interested to know which is better options kings international or Minerva.

JimBobsWife · 29/03/2024 10:23

Hi OP, did you make a decision?

We are having a very tough time with DD who is going into y10 in September so not a great time to be struggling at school. She has had massive friendship issues since y7 and she's spent the last two days sobbing at the thought of going back to school after Easter.

I am considering online school but worried about isolation and mental health getting worse not better.

WaitingForMojo · 29/03/2024 10:31

My dd did online school for a year. She found it quite boring and isolating. She did go back to mainstream school for a little while but now home educates without online school.

therouge · 30/04/2024 21:20

WaitingForMojo · 29/03/2024 10:31

My dd did online school for a year. She found it quite boring and isolating. She did go back to mainstream school for a little while but now home educates without online school.

How does she find the isolation now, just home edding without the online stuff? Have you joined specific groups?

Panarycatty · 30/04/2024 21:21

Look at Netschool, they are excellent.

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 30/04/2024 21:29

Are you completely homeschooling? I know of friends whose school uses a company called EdClass for school refuses. It's online alternative provision. Could you speak to her school about that?

usernamebore · 01/05/2024 10:52

Just a quick note to say, 3 weeks in to Minerva, we are very impressed. Extremely supportive and flexible. Days are well structured so, if your kid is relatively able to self motivate, they can just get on with it while you work (which is what we do - we can both WFH a few days a week so just juggle it so one of us is home each day). Seems like lots of kids are joining all the time, so it is growing fast and, I think, deservedly so. Lessons at a good level too.

FlowerMoonGirl · 02/05/2024 13:24

usernamebore · 28/02/2024 15:56

We are in a similar situation and heading to Minerva in April. So far very impressed - much more focus on the individual student that Interhigh, plus the kids all have weekly 1-1 mentoring sessions. They also ask you detailed questions when you join about your child's specific needs and will adapt the learning for them - for example allowing them to have the camera off when they need it, not being asked questions, not having to do group work etc.

Hello there, may I kindly ask what your experience of Minerva's has been so far? They are currently 1 on my shortlist of 2 online schools for my 13 year old daughter whose mental health and focus is declining in year 8 - so we've taken the decision to pull her out of her not very good state school.
Thank you so much.

FlowerMoonGirl · 02/05/2024 13:25

usernamebore · 01/05/2024 10:52

Just a quick note to say, 3 weeks in to Minerva, we are very impressed. Extremely supportive and flexible. Days are well structured so, if your kid is relatively able to self motivate, they can just get on with it while you work (which is what we do - we can both WFH a few days a week so just juggle it so one of us is home each day). Seems like lots of kids are joining all the time, so it is growing fast and, I think, deservedly so. Lessons at a good level too.

Apologies for my last message asking for feedback - just found some that you left yesterday! Much appreciated.

usernamebore · 02/05/2024 13:39

@FlowerMoonGirl no problem - and just to add to that - DS is almost 13 and has severe anxiety etc, and MVA have been fantastic. The mentor provision is particularly helpful, as it allows you and them to build up a 1-1 relationship with someone at the school who can help with any issues. Kids all seem really nice so far - DS (who is usually very negative about these things) was buzzing after the first assembly when children were volunteering to read out loud who clearly struggled with reading, and the chat was full of all their peers cheering them on and saying "well done" etc. Seems like, in general, most of the kinds of kids who would want this option rather than in-person school tend to be a little more considerate and kind as they have likely had issues themselves.
From what I understand, compared with Kings Interhigh, it is more personal, more adaptable, and more focused on the individual student's mental health and progress. KIH just seems a bit too big and cares more about numbers and getting in the money.

FlowerMoonGirl · 02/05/2024 13:44

YorkshireTeaDrinker2 · 08/02/2024 06:57

My DD (Y8) is struggling with school atm. There were some signs of classroom anxiety in primary, but her school were lovely and worked with her to address it. However, transition to secondary has been a challenge and her anxiety is now at a level where she is asking not to have to go to school, is v distressed about moving around school / being in busy spaces.

she has always been a very different child at home to how she is in school, and it seems to be getting more pronounced. She says she feels safe at home and is asking to be home schooled.

Whilst I can see that there has probably been a long build up to the school avoidance that is happening now, it’s probably come out of no where as far as school are concerned. Her school have responded compassionately, with some immediate small adjustments (I.e early exit from class so she can move to the next class before the corridors are busy, offering short days) and I am due to meet the head of year today to discuss.

However, I want my DD to thrive in her education, rather than merely surviving. I have started looking at alternatives options. I work full time, but in a role that is 100% wfh (work for a global IT company where such contracts are common and likely to persist). I am unlikely to be able to stop work and dedicate myself to home Ed 100%, but I am in a good place to be able to support her in an online school.

All of which is a long preamble to asking, have you any recent experience of online school that you can share? I have been looking particularly at Minerva’s Virtual Academy and Kings InterHigh. Also looked at Wolsey Hall Oxford and the pre 16 options at our local 6th form college. I am keen to get feedback from people with DC in these settings, but also other online providers.

I want to give her the best shot of being able to engage fully in her current school, but am keen to understand what the alternatives are. And I guess to be assured that there are alternatives and the sky won’t fall in if she doesn’t stay in mainstream school.

Goodness, our situations are so similar. I also have a DD Yr 8 and we're looking at Minerva's with a June start. We have a discovery call booked with them for 13th. DD currently off - Dr hasn't been particularly helpful but I do have iron tablets form her for DD plus a note as she was showing up as having some mild to moderate depression after completing a GP questionnaire.

There IS other stuff feeding in to this, it's not just school for us - possibly some unchecked neurodiversity, definite addiction to mobile phone (we had boundaries but they are being tightened, definite anaemia - got some bloods back earlier this week and she's now on some iron tablets. But this whole experience has made us step back and take a wholistic view and school has been failing her. She's a bright kid, top set maths, eager to learn, but, she's kind of... fading. Her school has a poor OFSTED and whilst they have been helpful, it's been evident in me talking with them that they are all rushed off their feet like headless chickens and my DD is just getting lost in the system. As her parents we both run our own businesses from home and whilst happy to be around and also definitely keep our DD active with educational days out support with her learning, we have zero desire to homeschool.

I'd love to know how you're getting on ❤

FlowerMoonGirl · 02/05/2024 15:56

usernamebore · 02/05/2024 13:39

@FlowerMoonGirl no problem - and just to add to that - DS is almost 13 and has severe anxiety etc, and MVA have been fantastic. The mentor provision is particularly helpful, as it allows you and them to build up a 1-1 relationship with someone at the school who can help with any issues. Kids all seem really nice so far - DS (who is usually very negative about these things) was buzzing after the first assembly when children were volunteering to read out loud who clearly struggled with reading, and the chat was full of all their peers cheering them on and saying "well done" etc. Seems like, in general, most of the kinds of kids who would want this option rather than in-person school tend to be a little more considerate and kind as they have likely had issues themselves.
From what I understand, compared with Kings Interhigh, it is more personal, more adaptable, and more focused on the individual student's mental health and progress. KIH just seems a bit too big and cares more about numbers and getting in the money.

This is so very helpful, than you so much. Minerva's Virtual Academy remains top of my list for multiple reasons, each of which feed into a very strong instinctive feeling for me. Highgrove feels too academic for what we're looking for (and is more pricey), I have an instinctive feeling to 'be careful' re, Kings Interhigh after seeing a fair bit of negative feedback even on their Instagram account. Minerva - I've seen one or two posts with negative feedback here on mumsnet and not dismissing that, but, taking it all into account, it just 'feels' warmer, more caring and with a more authentic focus on the teen of today and their mental wellbeing. Interestingly also, my daughter absolutely feels seen and valued by them in their marketing. She's had a good giggle at their TikTok - it's genius. They come across as far more progressive and willing to shake up the system/status quo up. It all feels more vibrant, cool and fun than the others.

I also looked at Sophia High School, who are taking a fascinating approach to augmenting the classroom with full on immersive tech worlds (think Meta/Roblox style learning environments). A bold step towards the future no doubt but a step a bit too far for me now and they are also very pricey.

All in all after a colossal amount of research and consideration and chats with our DD, Minerva's stands out a mile and I genuinely feel excited about our discovery call and getting our DD off to a good start. Thank you so much again.

TeenParenting · 13/06/2024 01:31

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

sarahmole01 · 15/06/2024 09:37

I am so glad I found this chat. Had meetings with both Minerva and Highgrove this week, son will be going into yr 10 in September. Love the sound and feel of Minerva but had a slight concern it may not be academic enough, he loves maths and the sciences, slightly neurodiverse when it comes to writing, sadly just not happy socially in school. I saw a negative review of Minerva saying most lessons are you tube. If usernamebore could give any more current feed back, it would be hugely appreciated :)

usernamebore · 15/06/2024 13:38

Hi - yeah if you notice the comments on here about MVA and YouTube are all from
the same person. I have not seen any YouTube really (and no more than you would get in regular school anyway - it is usual to
show clips of things etc). I have seen lots of engaged teachers and proper lessons. I think, however, you have to accept you are never going to get the type of academic pushing you would get in a good in-person school (and particularly not a grammar or good private etc). There are opportunities for extension tasks etc, but they require the kids to develop a bit of their own self motivation. This is good for the long run, as it is a downside of regular school that they just get used to being spoon fed, but if you have a bright but lazy kid they may plateau a bit. Ultimately we took the view that mental health trumps academia and that, in any event, no matter how advanced the curriculum at a school if you cant access it or challenge yourself because you have such severe anxiety etc, then what is the point…

sarahmole01 · 15/06/2024 18:56

Thanks so much, yes, happiness wins every time.

ErnestCelendine · 15/06/2024 19:00

Ds is at King's and loves it. Would heartily recommend (Y7, autistic, academic).

FlowerMoonGirl · 15/06/2024 20:00

My daughter started Minerva 2 weeks ago. All the lessons are delivered live and recorded also so can be accessed via the 'Canvas' learning portal they use. None of the lessons are Youtube.

FlowerMoonGirl · 15/06/2024 20:01

usernamebore · 15/06/2024 13:38

Hi - yeah if you notice the comments on here about MVA and YouTube are all from
the same person. I have not seen any YouTube really (and no more than you would get in regular school anyway - it is usual to
show clips of things etc). I have seen lots of engaged teachers and proper lessons. I think, however, you have to accept you are never going to get the type of academic pushing you would get in a good in-person school (and particularly not a grammar or good private etc). There are opportunities for extension tasks etc, but they require the kids to develop a bit of their own self motivation. This is good for the long run, as it is a downside of regular school that they just get used to being spoon fed, but if you have a bright but lazy kid they may plateau a bit. Ultimately we took the view that mental health trumps academia and that, in any event, no matter how advanced the curriculum at a school if you cant access it or challenge yourself because you have such severe anxiety etc, then what is the point…

We - and our daughter took this view too. Mental health was far more important. Two weeks since starting Minerva and we're already seeing really positive signs.

WMVW · 25/07/2024 12:51

My son attended Minerva Virtual Academy for a year.
Bad experience.
This school is very WOKE

FlowerMoonGirl · 25/07/2024 15:54

WMVW · 25/07/2024 12:51

My son attended Minerva Virtual Academy for a year.
Bad experience.
This school is very WOKE

Sorry, and the problem there is?

WMVW · 25/07/2024 16:01

Indoctrination

sleepworkmum · 25/07/2024 18:00

don't feed the trolls...