One of the first questions parents often ask when considering a transition to online learning is almost always: “What about the social side?”
It’s a natural concern. The traditional image of a British education often involves bustling hallways and face-to-face interactions. There is a common misconception that choosing an online school means choosing isolation, that students sit in a digital vacuum without the chance to make “real” friends.
At Highgrove Online School, we’ve found the opposite to be true. Not only can pupils make real, lasting friendships online, but they do so in a safe and supportive community where bullying and cliques are notable for their absence. By removing the geographical barriers of a physical building, we’ve created a global community where socialising is intentional, inclusive, and incredibly diverse.
Here is how we ensure our pupils don’t just learn together, but grow, lead, and laugh together too.
- Student-Led Communities: Our Clubs and Societies
At Highgrove, socialising isn’t an afterthought: it’s built into the fabric of the week. Our Clubs and Societies are entirely student-led, giving pupils the autonomy to pursue their passions beyond the curriculum.
Whether it’s a niche hobby or a shared academic interest, these societies offer a space for pupils to develop leadership and teamwork skills. More importantly, they allow friendships to form naturally over shared interests.
- The British House System: A Sense of Belonging
We take pride in upholding one of the oldest traditions of the British education system: The House System. Upon joining Highgrove, every pupil enrolling into full-time online schooling or joining our enrichment programme is assigned to a House.
The House system provides a vital social structure:
- Weekly Meetings: Led by a House Tutor and an elected pupil Head of House.
- Inter-House Competitions: From the Christmas video competition to creative challenges, these events foster collaboration and a healthy sense of friendly rivalry.
- Vertical Mentoring: Friendships are strengthened as older pupils mentor younger ones, creating a supportive network that spans across year groups.
- “In Real Life:”FromDigital Screens to Global Trips
While we are a digital school, we recognise that nothing quite replaces the magic of a physical meet-up. We love seeing our global community come together “IRL” (In Real Life).
Throughout the school year, we arrange a variety of in-person events:
- Annual Speech Day: A cornerstone of the school year where our community celebrates success together. Our favourite location for this is the Oxford Union at the University of Oxford.
- Excursions & Holidays: From school excursions across the UK to international trips abroad, these adventures allow pupils to deepen the connections they’ve built online.
- Study Hubs: We actively support pupils who live in the same region, or those relocating to a new country, by introducing them to local peers to form study groups and social hubs.
- Quality Over Proximity
In a traditional school, social circles are often limited to the people in your immediate postcode. At Highgrove, friendship groups might span London, Dubai, Porto, St Helena and Lagos.
This global perspective doesn’t just prevent isolation; it enriches their worldview. Our pupils learn to communicate across cultures and time zones, developing a level of social maturity and cultural understanding that prepares them perfectly for university and the modern workplace.
The Verdict: A Different Way to Connect
Online schooling doesn’t mean “no friends.” It means a different, often more intentional, way of making them. At Highgrove Online School, our pupils aren’t just names on a screen; they are members of a vibrant, global, and highly connected community.
Interested in finding out more? Book a discovery call with our Admissions Team.
