Highgrove Education

Since 2024, Heather Rhodes, also a co-founder. She is well used to the role, having done the same job for Pearson at Harrow Online School, which she helped set up in 2019. In fact, the only reason she’s not there now is due to Pearson pulling fund

Academically selective, both for GCSE and A level group classes – unusual for an online school, and music to the ears of parents of clever-clogs children who worry about mixed-ability classes slowing them down. No bums-on-seats approach here. Year

Just over 80 per cent to UK universities, the rest to US or European universities. Of the UK applicants, 95 per cent to Russell Group. Warwick, Imperial, UCL, Queen Mary’s, Edinburgh, St Andrews and Durham all feature. Economics, law, science, mat

In 2024, 66 per cent A*/A (85 per cent A*-B) at A level.

Teaching style is closer to a university than a school, with flipped learning at the heart. For A levels, students work through five 45-minute self-study lessons (including short videos, interactive spider diagrams etc) per subject per week in the

The comfort of working in your own home, and with fewer distractions than in a traditional classroom, can feel heaven-sent for students with SEN. The self-study lesson model can be a boon too because they can be reviewed at a time and pace determi

More clubs and societies than we see at some physical schools. Most are student chosen and led (with an affiliated teacher), with leadership roles rotated on a termly basis. Examples include debating, health and sports society, scientific research

More than you’d expect. The health and sports society gets students leading workouts and egging each other on via discussions around fitness progress (‘I’ve covered this club on occasion and can vouch for the challenge of these sessions!’ says pri

Students told us they feel supported and that wellbeing is prioritised. Helps that most staff are trained in mental health first aid and that students meet in their virtual peer-community houses overseen by house tutors twice weekly. There’s also

An eclectic bunch. A few students are eg drama or sports pros so need the flexibility. And some are emotionally based school avoiders (EBSA). But the bulk just enjoy learning online and are looking to study via a more independent, intensive learni

At the pricier end of online learning. Just under £11K for full-time learning or £7K for full-time independent learning (but both include the enrichment programme). You can also pay for single GCSEs (£2390) or A levels (£3850). Exams not included.

Results are head and shoulders above other online schools, partly because it’s selective but also because of the stretch and challenge, comprehensive learning packages, top-notch staff and breadth of enrichment and extracurricular which gives them