What is Online School? History and Definitions
Online schooling allows students to access their education from home, with an emphasis on tailored educational programmes to suit individual needs. Students can learn from anywhere with an internet connection and typically have fewer fixed commitments to a traditional school, making online education especially appealing to families looking for flexibility in where and when they study.
Not all online schools operate the same way, so it’s important to understand what to look for. Some schools have a focus on live teaching, mimicking the way traditional schools structure their education. The downside is that this can be tiring online and remove some of the flexibility for scheduling your work. Other schools have self-study lessons that can be accessed at a time and pace that suits the student but require high levels of motivation on behalf of the student to work without supervision. Most will have some kind of combination of the two.
Highgrove Online School has a unique position as an online school particularly suited to academically ambitious teens. With its origins in Harrow School Online, Highgrove boasts a strong pedigree of academic results and an experienced teaching team, making it a leading choice for full-time and part-time online education. There’s a school to suit every child, and many of the things offered by Highgrove, such as coaching support, one-to-one drop ins with teachers, and use of flipped learning self-study materials are general markers of an outstanding online education. In this article, we outline six key ways online schools work and explain what to look out for in an online school.
- How It Works: The Daily Structure
The daily structure of online schools can vary significantly, so it’s essential to consider how well the timetable fits your child’s schedule and time zone. At Highgrove, the structure adapts to different learning styles and age groups. For GCSE students, a typical week includes three half hour self-study lessons per subject and two live lessons of 45 minutes each. A-level students engage in five self-study lessons and two live lessons per subject, all 45 minutes long. Classes are kept small, with no more than 12 students for GCSE and 10 for A level, fostering a supportive and collaborative atmosphere. Flexible morning and afternoon schedules make it ideal for students balancing academics with commitments like work experience or sport and ensure that students from regions as diverse at Australia and America can join the school.
When choosing an online school, look for an approach that combines self-study lessons with live lessons, and keep in mind that smaller class sizes are key to pupil participation online.
- The Flipped Learning Approach
Understanding how a school delivers learning is crucial. Highgrove Online employs the flipped learning model, where students review interactive self-study materials to grasp foundational concepts before attending live lessons. Live sessions then focus on discussions, group problem-solving, and deepening understanding.
The success of flipped learning can be seen in exam results. For example, in 2024, Highgrove’s flipped learning approach led to A-level results far exceeding UK averages, with 50% of students achieving A*, 75% earning A*-A, and 90% securing A*-B grades. This contrasts starkly with the national average of 9% A* and 54% A*-B.
Flipped learning enables students to become effective, independent learners while achieving excellent academic outcomes, and ensures teachers have more availability for one-to-one support. At Highgrove Education, teachers hold drop-in hours where they are available for additional support.
- Full-Time and Part-Time Options
Online schools can cater to a variety of educational needs, offering full-time and part-time enrolment. This means students can take their full education online or just take one or two academic programmes as bolt on to existing studies.
Full-time students at Highgrove Online School benefit from an enriched curriculum that includes core academic subjects and a wide range of electives, such as Sports Psychology, Creative Writing, and Entrepreneurship. These students also participate in extracurricular activities, including clubs, House meetings, and student-led societies, creating a holistic school experience.
For part-time students, Highgrove offers individual GCSEs and A-levels or stand-alone courses like the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). The EPQ is particularly popular because it allows students to undertake independent research projects that develop critical thinking and organisational skills while boosting their university applications.
- Academic Skills and University Preparation
Highgrove’s education model integrates personal and academic development through its Skills and Mindset Programme. Courses such as Mastering Academic Skills and Exam Excellence equip students with essential skills for success.
Highgrove also prioritises university preparation, offering targeted support for UK and international applications, including mentored support crafting personal statements, and entrance exam preparation for university access courses like MAT, UCAT, and STEP. A series of external speaker talks ensures that students have opportunity for academic extension, and the school regularly submits teams to national and internation competitions, including the Oxford and Cambridge debate competition. Pupils have gone on to top universities worldwide, including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial and Warwick in the UK.
- Community
Some schools have more of a focus on community, and at Highgrove, a strong community and supportive peers is seen as paramount. A house system provides a natural environment to get to know one another and for friendly competition, and clubs and societies offer the chance for students to share their interests and take on leadership positions. Regular meet ups in person ensure that students have the chance to get to know each other ‘IRL’ (in real life), and school trips offer the chance for academic extension in a range of countries. A student council ensures that pupils have a regular say in the shape and direction of the school, and responsibility for planning some of the social aspects of the school year, including the all-important leavers year book. A school with a community aspect will help foster a sense of belonging and support, allowing students to make friends who may stay with them through life.
- Coaching and Personalised Support
Every Highgrove student is assigned a dedicated Learning Coach who provides weekly one-on-one guidance. These coaches help students manage their workload, set achievable goals, and stay motivated. This support is particularly valuable for students with diverse needs, whether they are pursuing professional sports, performing arts, or overcoming academic challenges. Highgrove’s small class sizes and personalised coaching ensure that every student has the resources they need to succeed. In this sense, online school can work very differently to traditional school with access to coaching which guides them through their studies. Students who have regular coaching adapt more quickly to become stronger independent learners.
Making an Informed Choice About Online School
Choosing an online school is a pivotal decision for shaping a child’s education and growth. Highgrove Online School, rooted in the expertise of Harrow School Online, consistently achieves top national results. It offers a blend of academic excellence, flexibility, and a nurturing environment.
Highgrove’s innovative flipped learning, diverse electives, and individualised coaching develop skills essential for university and beyond. Praised by the Good Schools Guide as “head and shoulders above other online schools,” it exemplifies education that extends beyond academics.
Families have flexible options: full-time programmes (£10,950 annually), part-time study like the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) (£1,980), or independent study (£4,950). These tailored pathways make quality online education accessible to varied learning styles.
While Highgrove is ideal for self-driven learners, exploring other options like Minerva Virtual Academy or King’s InterHigh may help families find the best fit. Thorough research, including discussions with admissions teams about teaching methods and support, is key to making the right choice.
Online schooling offers diverse opportunities – choose wisely to empower your child’s potential.
