If you’re considering a new school, especially one that doesn’t follow the traditional model, you probably have a lot of questions. That’s exactly where most parents start. To make things easier, we’ve gathered the most commonly asked questions from families interested in studying with us at Highgrove Online School into one place, so you can move through your decision-making process with more confidence and clarity.
1. What is Highgrove Online School’s ethos and approach to learning?
A: We believe that students learn best when they’re studying in a warm and welcoming environment and are given more agency in their education. We reject the idea of a ‘one size fits all’ education and we are committed to tailoring our provision to meet the needs of individual students. We offer and rich extra-curricular programme that supports pupils to explore subjects beyond the traditional school curriculum and helps ignite a love of learning.
Our teaching model is based on best-practice evidence that shows pupils work best when they are given more responsibility for their learning. We use structured self-study lessons as preparation and follow a more individual learning pathway. Our small interactive classes ensure pupils are fully engaged, and our teachers are available for one-to-one support as needed.
We are deeply committed to the success of every pupil. We equip our pupils with the skills they need for university and beyond, fostering well-rounded, intellectually curious global citizens through a flexible, personalised learning environment.
2. What does a typical school day look like at Highgrove?
A: One of the advantages of studying at an online school is the flexibility of the school timetable. A typical school day at Highgrove has fewer fixed commitments than a traditional school. Our programmes generally combine live taught lessons with self-study lessons, and while the former are scheduled at the same time every week, the latter are movable, and can be scheduled to suit the individual. This is particularly useful for our athletes and performers who have other commitments which make a traditional school timetable challenging, and means our programmes are accessible to students across a wide range of time zones. Even students without training programmes or time zone restrictions find they appreciate the flexibility of being able to study at times that best suit them, and the time they save by avoiding the school canteen and the daily commute.
3. What GCSESs are offered and can pupils take extra GCSEs, or are they restricted to a set number?
A: Pupils enrolled in our full-time programme are invited to take as many GCSE subjects as they would like from our core subject list, which includes: Maths, Further Maths, English Language, English Literature, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Business, Global Citizenship, Geography, Spanish, Computer Science, Art & Design, and the Combined Science GCSE. Additional subjects, like Greek and Latin, are available via our tutoring programme. You can top-up your GCSE studies from our “core” list with one or more of these additional subjects, or just study these subjects on their own.
4. What A levels are offered?
A: As with GCSEs, our full A level programme allows pupils to enrol in as many A level subjects as they wish from our subject list. Our core A level subjects include Maths, Further Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Economics, Business, English Literature and the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). We have an even wider selection of A levels available via our independent learning and tutoring programmes, including: Chinese, Computer Science, French, Geography, History, Sociology, Spanish, Latin, and Classical Greek.
5. How are students assessed?
A: At Highgrove Online School we prepare pupils for a wide range of internationally recognised exams, including international GCSEs, A levels and university access exams such as UCAT and STEP. These are the same exams as taken by pupils in physical schools across the world. Highgrove Education is a registered Pearson Edexcel exam centre and is a remote assessment centre for Edexcel international GCSEs, A levels and the EPQ, meaning pupils can take many of their exams online from home if that is their preference.
6. How does Highgrove support pupils with special education needs (SEN) and what is the role of the SENDCO?
A: Pupils with Special Educational Needs and/or disabilities (SEND), including those with dyslexia, ADHD, autism, visual impairment, anxiety, anorexia, and more, are warmly welcome at Highgrove Education. During the admission process, our SENDCo, Aminah Hussen, meets with families to discuss their individual needs to ensure that our school can appropriately support and accommodate them, and help them flourish. At the start of the school, our SENDCo draws up an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) for pupils with SEND in consultation with the pupil and their family. The SENDCo meets with every pupil with SEND on a regular basis to ensure that their needs are being met, and updates the ILP to proscribe additional interventions if necessary.
7. How are parents kept informed and contacted (parent evenings, online portals, etc)?
A: Parents have more visibility of their child’s education and progress than in a traditional school, and are given an observer login to the school’s learning platform where we track progress and performance. We issue reports every half term, and hold regular parent consultations. Our Director of Students sends weekly bulletins to all parents and guardians to keep them up to date on school administration and events, and we have a lively PTA group for parents who wish to connect with othesr in the school community.
8. Are exam results satisfactory, especially in core subjects?
A: Our Year 13 leavers achieved an outstanding set of A level results, with nearly 50% of grades awarded at A*, almost 80% at A*–A and nearly 90% at A*–B— well above the national average of 28.5% for A*–A. Our most common result at GCSE was a 9, and on our online group programmes, 79% of all results were a grade 8 or 9. These results position Highgrove Education as the world’s most academically successful online school.
9. How does Highgrove help prepare pupils for life beyond school?
A: All our pupils enrolled in full-time schooling receive weekly individual coaching sessions throughout their time with us. Coaching is an integral part of our enrichment programme, but also available outside the enrichment programme as a standalone programme available to part-time and external pupils.
At A level, our coaches support our pupils’ focus on what future success means to them, then work with them to ensure that their study habits and wider academic resumes are aligned with achieving those goals. The focus is on empowering pupils to take responsibility for their progress, and to embed healthy foundations in place to support their personal growth, including healthy sleep patterns and a good diet and exercise, making sure they’re ready for independent life. Most of our pupils go on to university after completing A levels with us, and our A level coaches support pupils as they work through UK and overseas university applications.
The majority of pupils who leave us go on to study at UK universities, with the vast majority progressing to Russell Group universities. In the most recent academic year, Russell Group universities accounted for 100% of our UK university placements.
10. How do fees work and is there support available?
A: We provide a flexible fee structure for our comprehensive range of online courses. Fees can be paid annually, termly, or in manageable monthly instalments, ensuring flexibility for families. Whether you’re looking for full-time or part-time study options, we offer clear, transparent pricing to suit all pupils. For more information about bespoke courses and our fees or to discuss payment plans, get in touch with Rosie, our Head of Admissions, who is available to help you find the best option for your family.
If you still have questions after reading through this list, we’re here to help! You can schedule a Discovery Call with our Head of Admissions anytime and you’re warmly invited to attend one of our monthly Open Events. We typically hold at least one Open Event during the week each month, as well as special Saturday morning events.
We’d love to hear from you!
