Online schools

[YorkshireTeaDrinker2]

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.

[Octavia64]

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]

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]

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

[JimBobsWife]

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]

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.