In most cases access to the internet with a good connection, a computer or laptop with an integrated webcam and microphone is sufficient. However, do make sure you check with your education provider when registering.
British education is divided into blocks known as key stages. Each stage consists of a certain range of school years and at the end of each phase, students are assessed. Key Stages 1 to 4 cover the years of compulsory education. Key Stage 5 covers post-compulsory education which includes A-Levels. Not all online schools provide education across the key stages, this may be a consideration when considering a place long term.
Primary years are divided into the following key stages
Key stage 1, ages 5-7 or Years 1 and 2
Key stage 2, ages 7-11 or Years 3 to 6
Secondary education is divided into:
Key stage 3, ages 11-14 or Years 7 to 9
Key stage 4, ages 14-16 or Years 10 and 11. At the end of Year 11 students sit their GCSEs
Sixth form (Years 12 and 13) is the final years of secondary education. Typically, students will complete AS and/or A-Level qualifications between the ages of 16-18.
This refers to the school’s provision. The UK curriculum (England, Wales, and Northern Ireland) covers a wide range of subjects from compulsory subjects such as English and maths to optional subjects like music, art, and drama. Each online school has a different curriculum offer.
These are activities outside of the academic curriculum such as sports, music, art, drama and other clubs.
This is the care provided by schools for a child’s physical and emotional wellbeing. The provision of pastoral care will not be the same by all providers but may involve a form tutor, mentoring or access to someone to talk to or the delivery of lessons that focus on personal, social, health and education (PSHE).
The General Certificate of Secondary Education or GCSE is part of the National Curriculum taught from 14 to 16 years (KS4). Generally, English, maths, and science are core subjects (but this may differ depending on the provider) and students then select optional subjects. Students sit an exam at the end of Year 11 in each of their chosen subjects gaining a qualification from grade 9 – 1.
Special educational needs or SEN is a term used to describe physical or learning disabilities which make it harder for children to learn than most children the same age. Children with SEN may require additional support. Some online schools cater specifically for SEN, others may have some provision available.
The Department for Education has established a voluntary Online Education Accreditation Scheme. Applications were opened from end of March 2023 for providers meet the criteria.
The Post Graduate Certificate in Education is a teaching qualification completed over one or two years. Teachers obtain classroom experience and also spend time at a university or college. The course leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). A degree must be held to apply for a PGCE.
The GCSE and the iGCSE are very similar and are accepted as ‘equivalent’ qualifications by the universities, sixth-form colleges and other independent schools around the world.
AS Levels generally take one year to complete, while A Levels are studied across two years. Only international A-Levels can be studied at AS level.
Online providers deliver their learning in different ways, this will need careful consideration when deciding which school is right for your child. For simplicity we have categorised the different types of learning as follows:
– Fully interactive (similar to a physical school experience with a timetable etc)
– Live learning (lessons in real-time)
– Distance learning (self-study/independent courses with regular assignments and access to a tutor/teacher)
– Hybrid (Also known as blended learning, this is a combination of online learning and face to face study. We have also included schools that provide a mixture of live lessons and self study courses)
This refers to providers who offer specialist online support for children who cannot or are unable to attend mainstream school, e.g. due to exclusion, illness or physical disability OR providers who do not offer British curriculum education.
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