By Heather Rhodes, Founder and Principal of Highgrove Education, an AFIS Partner School.
What does a high-quality education look like when the classroom exists entirely online? As more families turn to virtual learning, whether to complement traditional schooling or replace it altogether, the question of how to choose the right online school has never been more pressing. For some, the appeal lies in flexibility and independence; for others, it’s about finding specialist support or a more bespoke educational programme.
Today’s online schools cater to a diverse range of learners, offering everything from full GCSE and A level programmes to elective courses in fields such as artificial intelligence or sports psychology and qualifications like the EPQ. Yet, with such variety on offer, quality and ethos can differ greatly. Few parents have experienced online education first-hand, making it difficult to know what to look for when selecting a school for a child. This article helps families and students navigate this evolving landscape by setting out the key questions to ask when deciding which online school will best support a child’s learning journey.
What is the educational ethos of the school, and how far does it align with your family’s needs?
Different schools will have different aims and outlooks, perhaps even more so than in mainstream education, and it is important to find a school which aligns with your values and needs. Are you looking for light touch support for home education, or a fully comprehensive online programme, group classes or individual tuition, a British curriculum or IB programme? Most online schools have a speciality, and it’s a case of choosing the right fit for your circumstances. For example, Highgrove Education specialises in providing an education that offers stretch and challenge to academically minded pupils, while GAIA Learning supports pupils with special educational needs until they are ready to return to a mainstream school. Speak with the school’s leadership team, including the Head and admissions staff to understand the vision and purpose for the school, and if it’s not a good fit, look elsewhere.
Do you want more than just an academic programme?
Some online schools offer a full education with extra-curricular clubs and activities and a focus on community, while others focus on bare bones academic provision. If you are looking for full schooling online, check out the opportunities for enrichment and academic extension. Are there options that appeal to your child? Look for opportunities for students and parents to engage and form connections, such as a house system or online clubs and societies. Explore whether the school offers opportunities for students to meet up in real life, and what social events and trips or excursions they run. Ask to talk to a current student to find out how much they interact with others in the school, or request a current list of clubs, elective courses and forthcoming trips. And finally, check whether extra-curriculars are included in fees or come at an additional cost.
What can you expect by way of academic outcomes?
If academic success is an important consideration, it’s important to investigate the school’s past academic performance. What are their average GCSE or A level grades, and how does this compare to the national average? Do leavers typically progress to university, and if so, which ones? What support is available for careers coaching and university application, and does the school offer preparation for university entrance examination such as UCAT (for medics) and PAT (for engineers). Class sizes can be an important factor in quality of provision online, as it can be hard for teachers to have good visibility of classes upwards of 15 students in a virtual setting, and some kind of admissions assessment ensures pupils from diverse backgrounds are likely to be joining a year group at a similar level.
How are students actually taught?
One important consideration for online schools is how much of the curriculum is delivered via online self-study materials versus live lessons with a teacher. This is an area that needs careful attention, because more live lessons doesn’t necessarily mean better provision. The most academic schools tend to use flipped learning, where students work through self-study lessons independently before attending a live lesson to practise and apply what they’ve learnt. This provides strong academic results but won’t suit all pupils, and the quality of the self-study materials and support structures in place – such as individual coaching and having teachers available for one-to-one support - will be a key factor to success. Avoid recorded video lessons as learning outcomes are limited and be wary of schools that don’t offer any live teaching unless you have a child who is extremely self-motivated or you are prepared to be very hands on with homeschooling. Schools that insist on a cameras on policy will generally have higher engagement levels than schools which are cameras off or have an opt in policy. It’s worth checking from current students whether a cameras on policy is actually enforced, as this is one area where practice may differ from policy
Is the school flexible with its timetable?
Flexibility is one of the major advantages of online schooling. Schools that offer a mixture of independent study and live lessons tend to have fewer fixed commitments per week. Ask about timetabling. Are you able to specify preferences for morning or afternoon lessons, for example? Is there additional one-to-one support available for your child, and if so, does it come at an additional cost? Review the subjects on offer and check how many are included in a full school programme. Online schooling can often provide more bespoke programmes than traditional schools, with pupils accelerating in particular subjects, or taking unusual combinations of subjects. Speak to the admissions team to see if they’re able to offer a programme that is tailored to your child, and ask if the Head or an academic advisor is available to discuss options if you’re not sure what a best fit programme would look like.
Who are the staff team that will be supporting your child?
Online schools may not require qualified teacher status (QTS), so it's important to verify the credentials and expertise of those who will be teaching your child. Some schools employ unqualified tutors rather than teachers, and others rely on non-specialists to teach subjects through to GCSE or A level. Ask whether your child’s teachers hold teaching qualifications and a degree in the subject they are teaching, and request to see a few teacher profiles for staff who will be working with your child. Consider how the school supports diverse learning needs, such as SEND needs and English as a Second Language (ESL) support, and check there is a qualified safeguarding lead and a SEND specialist on the staff team. Even if your child doesn’t need specialist support, schools with strong pastoral support structures often demonstrate quality provision and higher academic outcomes.
Conclusion
Choosing an online school is a significant decision. The online education space is growing rapidly, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. When selecting an online school, weigh the benefits and challenges carefully. As well as speaking to the admissions team, ask to sit in on a taster lesson or speak to teachers and current students who will be able to give you a feel for what it’s like to study there. Above all, ensure the school you choose aligns with your child’s individual needs and educational goals.
