Minerva Virtual Academy

Since March 2024, Suzanne Lindley, previously deputy head (pastoral) – the first person in the school to hold this position. Started out as a biology teacher at Sir Joseph Williamson’s Maths School, a boys’ selective state school in Kent, where she

Entry mainly at the start of each term of any year group from year 7, with some joining mid-year. Six-week trials available, as are catch-up interventions for students who have gaps in their learning – common among those who join following poor

Not generally seen as a stopgap (some online schools are), with most joining and staying until post GCSEs, when 80 per cent leave, usually to head to physical schools or to college to do vocational courses (though growing numbers are staying on for

In 2025, 23 per cent 9-7 at GCSE. At A level, 20 per cent A*/A (32 per cent A*-B).

The school relies on its students to report their results so does not always have a complete picture.

Aim is for students to prepare for their whole future, not just exam day. So, alongside the focus on reaching potential in GCSEs and A levels (and many families report a hike in grades ‘beyond our wildest expectations’), the school also encourages

Among the best we’ve seen for an online school. A good job too as over half (54 per cent) of students are on the SEND register, covering four main areas of need: communication and interaction; cognition and learning; SEMH; and sensory and/or physical

Trips are the standout point here – ‘absolutely brilliant’, say parents. At least twice each term, students are invited to the likes of Bletchley Park, Go Ape, theatre trips, ice skating etc – and they’re now organised for individual year groups, key

No physical facilities or opportunity to kick a ball about with others. But there’s a fitness group that sets weekly challenges (running certain distances, swimming, horse riding, rowing, etc) – they meet weekly to hold each other to account. School

Every student gets assigned a personal mentor (trained by the mental health and SEND teams), with whom they meet weekly (more if needed) for half an hour (usually face-to-face online, but via Google Chat for the most anxious students) to discuss

Just under 20 per cent of students are top athletes and come to MVA for the flexibility. Around a quarter come from overseas (60 countries) and want to follow the English national curriculum – some of these are travelling families. Most of the

With no buildings to manage, it’s happy days for MVA when it comes to overheads. Still, there are all those top-drawer teachers and staff to pay for, not to mention the ever-changing whizzy tech. The result is fees of £8,410 per school year (or

Undoubtedly at the forefront of online schooling, MVA is helping to reshape the educational landscape by providing a more inclusive, flexible and appealing learning experience for those who – for a multitude of reasons – grapple with the constraints