About us

Minerva's Virtual Academy is an affordable, accessible online independent school for 11-18 year old's that delivers world-class education with a true sense of community.

There is an alternative to traditional school, and we are committed to making a difference.

The school we need right now, the school of the future...

Keeping it personal

Our approach is centred on delivering a personalised, world-class, and enriching education to each child, making it as affordable as possible, whilst ensuring our forward-thinking curriculum is preparing children for life in the 21st Century.

We provide education to students who are being left behind by the traditional system, but we are increasingly helping families who wish to benefit from more flexible way of life, and to join a school that's putting some of the smartest ideas in education into practice.

Max. Live Lesson size: 20 students

Globally-minded

Empowering students with a global perspective to understand diverse cultures and engage with worldwide issues.

Inclusive & caring

Fostering an inclusive, empathetic environment that supports and values every student's unique journey.

Pioneering curriculum

Enhancing the traditional British Curriculum with innovations like World Changers and lessons on the history, implications, and future of AI.

From Homeschooling to Online Schooling

Minerva's Virtual Academy was founded in November 2020 by Minerva Tutors, the UK's leading homeschooling and private tuition agency.

Since its inception in 2014, Minerva Tutors has won many awards and continues to offer peronalised 1-to-1 homeschooling to families in the UK and around the world.

Both organisations are run by Hugh Viney, ex-Classics scholar and runner up Duke of York Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the National Business awards in 2016.

An ex-tutor himself, Hugh's founding vision for Minerva was to help professionalise the tutoring industry and to offer parents an alternative approach - by working with tutors who had the ability to raise a child's confidence as well as offer rigorous academic tuition, students would be better off in the long run, not just on exam day.

MVA is the culmination of Minerva's desire to help as many children as possible benefit from the advantages of personalised learning, and is one step closer to the statement Hugh wrote up on the whiteboard in the earliest days of the company: 'Every Child Succeeds'.

Embracing Unique Learning Needs

Flipped Learning is a transformative teaching approach that encourages students to take ownership of their education.

Through this method, students engage in interactive self-study on our Virtual Learning Platform before attending Live Lessons with their teacher. This shifts the dynamic of the classroom, allowing for deeper understanding and more interactive, engaging discussions during live sessions.

By "flipping" the traditional learning model, we equip our students with the tools for active participation, fostering a more profound and effective educational experience.

At MVA, our teachers are passionate about Flipped Learning and its potential to transform education not just for MVA but for schools around the world.

Read Head of Year 10 Jamie's account of Flipped Learning

Crafting a vibrant virtual school

Minerva’s Virtual Academy is founded on four core concepts (which we call 'Pillars'), which allow us to deliver a highly effective virtual education whilst equipping our pupils with the skills needed to thrive in the modern world; all in an environment where each pupil is known, encouraged and can make life-long friends.

By getting the basics right, we can foster an environment that encourages our students to flourish both academically and personally. With firm foundations, we have more room to innovate, and to create impactful learning experiences for our students throughout each school week.

Explore The Four Pillars

Partners, Awards, & Accredittation

We are incredibly grateful for the support from a diverse and ever-expanding network of partners, all of whom believe in providing quality 'alternative' education for those who need it most.

Our unique partnerships provide remarkable opportunities for our students. These connections span across various industries and fields, not only placing our students at the heart of dynamic and evolving industries, but also ensure they are primed for exciting opportunities upon graduation.

Why it matters

In a world where nearly 1.8 million school-age children in the UK alone grapple with the constraints of traditional schooling, we're providing families with choice, empowering them to make decisions not available to them before.

By collectively reshaping the educational paradigm, we can create a more inclusive, engaging, and rewarding learning experience that caters to all students, not just the majority.

1.8m

Children out of school in UK

1/3

Young athletes drop out of school at 16

40+

Countries our students live in

300+

Families have peace of mind

Who we are

Our HQ team is made up of passionate and dedicated educators, administrators, and support staff, all of whom work together to provide the best possible virtual schooling experience for our students.

Members of the Minerva Tutors & Minerva's Virtual Academy team at the Minerva HQ in Brixton, South London, UK

Meet the team