Make It Mindful: How an online school outperforms traditional education with Highgrove Online School’s Principal, Heather Rhodes
Is online education a second-best option compared to traditional, in-person schooling? Or is it possible that online schools can offer a compelling alternative to the brick-and-mortar model? That’s exactly what Make It Mindful host and Banyan Global Learning founder, Seth Fleischauer, set out to explore in a recent podcast episode featuring Heather Rhodes, Principal of Highgrove Online School.
Their discussion was a deep dive into how Highgrove Education’s innovative model delivers exceptional academic outcomes, nurtures global citizenship, and fosters learner autonomy, debunking many of the myths surrounding online education in the process.
Here are some of the most compelling insights from their conversation.
A Path Rooted in International Education
Principal Rhodes came to online education through working with international learners at Harrow School. In 2014 she set up an online tutorial school for overseas pupils who wanted to improve their English, and as well as tutoring at that school, she was also teaching one-to-one lessons in person with pupils at Harrow School. This gave her a direct comparison between the two different ways of learning, and she was surprised to see how students made more progress online. The chance to work with international communities and bring groups of students together was something she found very exciting, and a natural progression from the online tutorial school was opening an international online sixth form, Harrow School Online. In 2024, Harrow School Online pupils achieved some of the best A level grades in the UK, with 78% of A levels in 2024 awarded either A or A*. On the back of this success Principal Rhodes went on to launch Highgrove Education, an online school which teaches from year 10 upwards through to year 13 and continues the high academic standards of its predecessor.
The Vision: Building Global Citizens
At Highgrove, students are high-achieving and ambitious. But what excites Principal Rhodes most is their potential to become thoughtful, open-minded global leaders. “If the people who are taking on leadership roles in society are those who developed a love for working with people from different countries… that can have a lasting positive impact,” she explained.
The school’s approach isn’t just about test scores; it’s about fostering intercultural understanding, empathy, and collaboration, which are skills that are more important than ever in a globally connected world.
Building Real Community Online
Skeptics often ask: Can you build a strong, supportive community through a screen?
“Absolutely,” says Principal Rhodes, “especially for today’s generation, who are already used to forming meaningful connections online.” At Highgrove, community-building is intentional. Students are encouraged to keep cameras on, participate in breakout rooms, lead or join student-run clubs and societies, and meet up in person at regular social events.
These small steps create a culture of shared goals and support. In fact, Principal Rhodes argues that the online space can often feel safer than a traditional school. Without the same visual and cultural cues that often lead to judgment in person, students are freer to be themselves and connect on a deeper level.
Less Conflict, More Inclusion
Without physical spaces that can encourage cliques or exclusion, there’s a more level playing field for interaction. Still, cultural misunderstandings can arise, and Rhodes emphasizes the importance of clear expectations and shared values. Teachers help students understand not just what acceptable behaviour is, but why, always bringing the focus back to learning and mutual respect.
Cultivating Independent Learners
Unlike traditional settings, where learning is often teacher-led and closely monitored, Highgrove students spend much of their time engaging in independent, self-paced study through interactive lessons before coming to class.
This flipped-classroom approach builds motivation, resilience, and responsibility—qualities that pay off academically and personally.
Principal Rhodes acknowledges it’s not always easy. “It can be hard to self-motivate and not procrastinate,” she said. That’s why Highgrove integrates Skills and Mindset Lessons into its curriculum to help students build habits of effective independent learning. These lessons teach time management and study techniques.
Academic Excellence That Speaks for Itself
The results speak volumes, with students consistently achieving some of the top grades in the country and taking up spots in world-leading universities.
Principal Rhodes believes this is because students work hard for their understanding. “It’s far easier to sit in a room and have a teacher explain something to you; it’s much harder to work it out for yourself,” she noted. That very effort of grappling with ideas and solving problems independently leads to deeper learning and better retention.
What Kind of Adults Does This Create?
Students who attend Highgrove don’t just emerge with strong academic records; they come out of the experience with maturity, confidence, and global awareness that far surpasses their years. Far from becoming isolated, the students thrive in real-world settings.
Many alumni report feeling ahead of their peers when they start university, already equipped with the skills to manage their time, think critically, and adapt to new environments.
Fleischauer captured it well when he said, “You’ve painted a picture for us here of a culture that celebrates multiculturalism, is a place for people to come in and build a new culture around shared goals and values.”
A New Paradigm for Education
Highgrove Online School shows that when online education is done with care, structure, and purpose, it can offer an attractive alternative to traditional education.
Principal Heather Rhodes and her team have created a thriving, globally connected environment where students don’t just learn; they leave with the skills and mindset necessary to become global leaders.
As online education continues to evolve, Highgrove Online School stands out as a model for what’s possible when we make learning intentional, inclusive, and student led.
Want to hear the full conversation?
You can listen to the Make It Mindful podcast episode featuring Principal Heather Rhodes on YouTube.
If you’re wondering if Highgrove Online School might be the right fit for you, explore our recorded or upcoming Open Event days.
