Ages 11 to 18 · Enrol by 20 October · Full time from 2 November
It’s October.Is school working?
If the anxiety or the morning battles are already back, you don’t have to wait for another term. Start learning with MVA within days and join full time straight after half-term.
Book a Discovery Call →A free 15-minute call with a real person. Rated 4.7 out of 5 by new families.
DfE-accredited · Top IGCSE grades at 1.5× the national rate · 1,000+ families
As featured in
What new families told us
Why families chose MVA this September
44%
said their child wasn’t thriving at their previous school
44%
chose MVA for the flexibility of the timetable
36%
chose MVA for weekly one-to-one mentoring
From our survey of families who joined MVA in September 2026. Families could give more than one reason.
The MVA week
A fresh start, with structure and support
Live lessons with qualified teachers, time for independent study and a weekly one-to-one with a personal mentor. A clear routine to help your child settle in, keep learning and grow in confidence.
Two to three
live lessons a day
Qualified subject specialists bring learning to life, with time for questions and discussion.
Independent learning
with a purpose
Guided work before and after lessons helps your child prepare, practise and build understanding.
A weekly one-to-one
with their mentor
A familiar person to talk to, with a weekly update to keep you informed.
Time to learn
and room to breathe
Independent study is built into the timetable, with space to develop a routine that works.
A sample Year 9 week.
Mentoring, the heart of MVA
A trusted mentor who really knows your child
Every student has a personal mentor who gets to know their personality, needs and ambitions. They meet one-to-one each week to talk through challenges, recognise progress and plan their next steps.
It's regular time with someone who listens, encourages and helps your child build confidence in themselves and their learning.
And you're kept in the picture, with a weekly report sharing how your child is getting on.
Weekly
one-to-one session with the same trusted person
Weekly
mentor report sent directly to you
Between sessions
support by email or chat when your child needs a little extra help
“The standard of education, the flexibility, the mentoring, I cannot praise it highly enough.”
Jonathan Lewis, MVA parent
Mentor report · sent to you
Maya · Week 6
Maya has settled well into her new timetable. Her confidence in Maths is visibly growing, and she volunteered an answer twice this week.
Next week, we will work on planning her independent study blocks so she can feel more confident managing her time.
Commendation · Effort
Attendance 98%
Sarah, Personal Mentor
An illustrative example of the weekly mentor report
Friendships, clubs and shared experiences
A community to join at their own pace
A fresh start is about feeling settled and finding people you enjoy spending time with.
At MVA, students get to know one another through lessons, clubs and social sessions, with opportunities to meet in person on trips, at meet-ups and at family events.
Chess Club
Art Club
Film Makers
Run Club
AI Club
Astronomy
D&D Club
Creative Writing
Debate Club
Photography
Neurodiversity Club
Cooking & Baking
MVA Podcast
Yoga & more
23
trips and events, Spring and Summer terms 2026
1,047
places booked by MVA families
1,000+
families in the community
50+
countries worldwide
Regular trips and meet-ups
National Justice Museum
Bath
London meet-up
Summer Festival
On the track
From museum visits and local meet-ups to ski trips, Duke of Edinburgh expeditions and the MVA Community Festival, there are plenty of opportunities to spend time together and make memories.
See upcoming trips and events →“It's the best school trip I've ever been on!” Ella, MVA student
There's a community for you, too. Connect with other families through the MVA Parent App, find people nearby and share advice and experiences.
IGCSE 2026 · MVA against the national average
At the top grades, our students achieved nearly 1.5 times the national rate.
95.9%
English Language, grades 4 to 9
100%
EPQ results at A* to C
Recent leavers have gone on to LSE, Sheffield, Newcastle, Surrey, Liverpool John Moores and Kent, alongside two US athletic scholarships and a place with F4 Prema Racing on the F1 Academy pathway.
The practical detail
All the rest you need to know
In our families' own words
Questions
What parents ask us most
What happens on a discovery call?
It's a free, 15-minute conversation about your child and what you're looking for. We'll explain how MVA works, answer your questions and discuss availability. You don't need to have decided to join.
Can my child still join this term?
Yes. Enrol by 20th October and your child can begin learning with MVA Start within days, then move into full time learning on 2nd November. Availability varies by year group, so the first step is a Discovery Call.
What is MVA Start?
MVA Start is a supported introduction to MVA for students who enrol before a later full time start date. Enrol by 20th October and your child can begin within days. Each week, your child receives dedicated help with the MVA Learning Platform and two personal one-to-one academic tutoring sessions, helping them build confidence, independence and familiarity before 2nd November.
Will moving now disrupt their GCSEs?
A move during GCSE years needs to be considered subject by subject. MVA teaches recognised IGCSE specifications with qualified subject specialists, but exam-board choices and the point already reached in each course matter. Years 11 and 13 are closed for the November 2026 intake. For a Year 10 student, Admissions can check curriculum fit and availability with you before you make a decision.
Is MVA a real school?
MVA is a DfE-accredited online education provider. Your child remains electively home educated and you retain legal responsibility for their education. MVA provides the structure families often associate with school: qualified teachers, a timetable, personal mentoring, assemblies, reports, pastoral support and recognised qualifications.
Is this legal?
Yes. In England, parents are responsible for making sure their child receives a suitable full-time education, either through attendance at school or otherwise. Home education is that 'otherwise'. Rules differ across the UK, so families should always check the current guidance for their nation.
Do we need anyone's permission?
The process depends on where you live and your child's circumstances. In England, parents will usually need to write to the school before withdrawing a child, but additional consent or safeguarding rules can apply, particularly for some children with complex needs, children at special schools, and children subject to a school attendance order. Check current official guidance before deregistering.
Will I have to teach my child?
No. And with MVA, you are not expected to teach each subject yourself. Our qualified subject specialists provide the lessons, learning materials and feedback; your child's mentor helps them stay organised and keeps you informed.
What does an MVA week look like?
Most students have two to three live lessons a day, protected independent study and a weekly one-to-one session with their mentor. Assemblies, clubs and social sessions run throughout the week, so your child can choose how much they want to join.
Will the local authority get involved?
Your local authority may ask for information to understand whether your child is receiving a suitable education. We can provide attendance records, termly reports and confirmation of the programme your child follows with MVA.
Can I work while my child learns with MVA?
Many MVA parents do. How much day-to-day supervision your child needs will depend on their age, confidence and ability to work independently. MVA provides the timetable, teaching and academic support; their mentor keeps you informed. A younger or less independent learner may still need more help from an adult at home.
What support is there for SEND and EHCPs?
Half of our students receive SEND support and around 13% have an EHCP. Some mentors are trained SENDCOs, and assistive tools are built into the learning platform. Local-authority funding may be possible where the authority agrees that MVA is suitable provision for your child.
Will my child make friends?
Students can join clubs, assemblies, social sessions and trips throughout the year. The MVA Parent App also helps families find one another locally and arrange meet-ups and learning hubs. There is no pressure to join everything, but the opportunities are there.
Can my child return to school later?
Yes, although a place at their previous setting cannot be guaranteed. MVA students work towards recognised IGCSE and International A Level qualifications, so their learning and qualifications can move with them.
Can MVA students go to university?
Yes. Recent MVA leavers have progressed to universities including LSE, Sheffield, Newcastle, Surrey, Liverpool John Moores and Kent, as well as sport and performance pathways in the UK and overseas.
Can we join part-way through the year?
Usually, yes. MVA has several entry points throughout the year and calculates fees pro rata from the half term your child joins. Availability varies by year group. Years 11 and 13 are closed for the November 2026 intake.
How do we leave our current school?
The process depends on your nation and your child's circumstances. In England, families will often write to the head teacher to say they are choosing elective home education. The school then follows the required deregistration and local-authority process. Check the latest official guidance before acting, especially if your child has an EHCP, attends a special school or is subject to a school attendance order.
Will my child be on a register?
The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 introduced new registration duties and related requirements in England. How these apply will depend on commencement arrangements and your family's circumstances. Learning with MVA does not turn elective home education into attendance at a physical school, but we can provide clear records of the education your child receives.
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The next step
Talk it through with our friendly team
We have places available for the November start, and your child can begin learning with MVA Start in the meantime. Every new family also has a 6-week cooling-off period. Tell us what has been happening at school, ask anything you need to know, and we will be straight with you about whether MVA is the right move for your child. New families rate our admissions team 4.7 out of 5 for their help.