Choosing a school is never a decision taken lightly. Each child is different and each school is different and finding the right fit to meet your family’s needs – while balancing the practicalities of cost, commute and admissions requirements – can be tricky. For Angela Palmer, the decision to move her daughter to an online school came from a very real, very practical challenge – and ultimately led her to Highgrove Online School.
Angela is a fractional operations consultant who works globally, and at the time of our conversation she was living in Nigeria. While Abigail had been attending secondary school locally, Angela felt the education simply wasn’t meeting the standard she wanted for her daughter. The family’s long-term plan had always been to return to England and re-enter the British education system, but work commitments meant that move was delayed.
“I didn’t want to short-change her,” Angela explained. “I wanted her to have an education that was up to par.”
Boarding school was an obvious alternative, but one Angela wasn’t comfortable with, particularly at Abigail’s age. That left online schooling as the most viable option. Like many parents, Angela approached this choice carefully by researching and comparing several well-known online schools before making a decision.
What stood out? In her words, Highgrove “ticked many of my boxes” and ultimately “stood head and shoulders above the rest”.
One important factor was fit. Angela had already seen how both of her daughters learned. Even while attending a traditional school, much of their reinforcement came from online resources – researching independently, watching educational videos, and finding online tutors. Technology wasn’t intimidating; it was second nature. That gave Angela confidence that an online model could meet Abigail’s academic needs.
Her biggest concern, like many parents considering online education, was the personal and social side. Would learning online feel isolating? Would Abigail miss out on broader experiences? These were real questions, but what reassured Angela was Highgrove’s emphasis on developing the “whole child”, not just delivering lessons.
“I love the extracurricular activities and electives,” she said – and Highgrove’s offering made a big impression.
From debate club and the school newspaper to photography, investment banking, and international relations, Angela felt these clubs and elective courses added real depth to Abigail’s education. They weren’t just time-fillers; they were opportunities to explore interests, develop leadership, and build knowledge and skills that extend well beyond the traditional curriculum.
“I think it all contributes to a whole child, a complete child,” Angela explained. “Highgrove doesn’t only look after the academic side. It does so much more.”
Academically, Angela has seen her daughter thrive under Highgrove’s flipped learning model. Rather than relying on constant handholding, students are coached to become strong independent learners and are expected to study content independently before their lessons, allowing them to engage actively in classes – a structure Angela feels mirrors university expectations and builds long-term independence.
“She’s become so much more confident,” Angela said. “Her writing has improved massively. Her debating skills are amazing. You can really see how independent she’s become in the way she thinks and articulates her ideas.”
Another key factor was Highgrove’s admissions process. Angela appreciated that the school is selective, not out of elitism, but because it creates an environment where students are challenged and surrounded by like-minded peers.
“I liked the fact that there was a process,” she shared. From initial conversations to assessments and meetings with the Head of Admissions and then Principal Rhodes, the experience reassured her that Highgrove was thoughtful about who it admitted and genuinely focused on student fit and potential.
Transitioning to online school itself was surprisingly smooth. Aside from occasional internet challenges – a reality of living in a developing country – Angela found no major issues. For her, the method of delivery mattered far less than the quality of teaching.
“Schooling doesn’t depend on how it’s delivered,” she said. “It’s how well it’s done.”
When asked what advice she’d give other parents considering online or non-traditional schooling, Angela’s answer was refreshingly honest: know your child. Online education works best for students who are reasonably independent, comfortable with technology, and able to take ownership of their learning. It suited her family well, but she acknowledges it won’t suit everyone.
That said, for families who are open to a different approach, Angela believes Highgrove Online School offers something rare: an online school that feels rigorous, enriching, and closely aligned with the best of traditional education while still offering flexibility for modern, global lives.
For the Palmer Family, it’s been a choice that truly fits.
