Minerva Online Academy Platform

[Sofaspuddy]

Hi all,

I posted this in the Secondary Education section as I did not realise there was a home ed section!!

Looking for some feedback on Minerva Online Academy.

Would anybody who has children there be able to share what the online platform is like. I cannot find a video or screenshots of what they actually use day to day.

We are going through an absolute nightmare - been 14 months now and we have had enough. We have registered for tribunal and are going to deregister under protest and put DD into online from Jan and hope to reclaim costs back at the tribunal (slim I know but we cannot wait anymore)

Anyway, I know there are lots of other choices of schools, tutors etc but we have decided on Minerva.

Would love general feedback on MVA but more specifically around the day to day tool- are the classes good, is it easy to use etc.

Any screenshots (no children please) of it would be great.

Thanks

We have 2 at MVA, both had nightmare at mainstream for different reasons. Our youngest started 18 months ago and has settled well into the low pressure environment - she know what is expected, when and how. They run on a 2 week timetable - same lessons each wee but every second week is the homework week where they are given their'submit' task for the next week. each lesson has a prepare task - to familiarise them with what is being taught - often 10-15 minutes of a video or document to read/answer questions, then they have a build after lessons to build on what they were taught and then the following lesson they get a develop. Depending on age the length of task varies. Each child has a mentor and they meet weekly to chat about life in and out of school, my DD loves her sessions and can't wait to fill her mentor in on sport/fun etc. as well as catching ups with an lesson struggles and what work is missing/imcomplete/finished. Every 2 weeks we get a typed report from the mentor letting us know how things are going. They will also call/email if there are any concerns during the week.

My eldest joined in September for A-levels, having been told by mainstream she'd never amount to anything and to take a level 2 course. She too is thriving loving the lessons/teachers and has made lots of new friends. Her place is paid for by her EHCP funding.

The use a platform called 'Big Blue Button' as well as 'Canvas" blue button provided the online face to face lessons. They have cameras on and microphones off. although one of mine has a camera exception due to severe anxiety. Canvas is an app used to submit work, see grade, links to live lessons, message platform for teachers and students.

Both kids attend social events and join in chat groups etc. It's been the best move for both mine DDs but they are both very self motivated because they want to do well and prove that they are in the right place.

Also happy to answer questions, I have one in yr11. Started in yr9. Has a camera exemption too. Feel free to DM me @Sofaspuddy