Calm learning at home. Clear structure. Personal mentoring for every student.
Minerva Virtual Academy is a Department for Education accredited online school for ages 11 to 18. Our model combines live teaching with independent study and one to one mentoring so each student can learn at the right pace with the right adjustments.
For too long, school has asked families to shape their lives around it. At MVA, it couldn’t be more different.
Our unique timetable blends independent, student-led learning with Live Lessons delivered by our brilliant teachers. The result is a calm, balanced approach that gives students both structure and freedom, so they can learn in a way that truly works for them.
We’re a British school with a global, inclusive spirit. Wellbeing sits at the heart of everything we do, and we’re proud to welcome families from anywhere in the world who want to learn with us.
I very much look forward to welcoming you soon.
Led by Rebecca Pinfield, Vice Principal Pastoral, and Wayne, SENDCO, our team works with families to put the right support in place from day one.
Like so many families who have come to MVA after struggling to find the right diagnosis or an education that truly works, Susan discovered MVA and experienced a transformational journey with her son.
"What an amazing community and vision to be a part of... we are so thankful for what MVA offers and the way in which it has so met our daughter’s needs."
Mentors undergo specialised training to support SEND students effectively, focusing on understanding and addressing diverse needs. Some are trained SENDCos, many are specifically employed due to their extensive experience working with children with SEND. Our SEND team deliver regular training for all staff throughout the year as well - we have training on a variety of topics such as PDA, and have a virtual module on SEND info for all staff on our platform.
There is no official requirement that a student must attend the live lessons, however it is encouraged. If the student will not be attending Live Lessons we request that they attend their 1:1 Mentoring sessions, and the school assembly. If your child will not be attending Live Lessons please notify us.
MVA does have a "cameras-on" policy to help create the rapport of a lesson and for safeguarding reasons. However, if your child is particularly anxious about this, we can arrange an exemption that all teaching staff will be aware of. If your child isn't comfortable asking questions on the microphone, they can also make use of the private chat function with the teacher as an alternative option.
We can meet most EHCP provisions thanks to the flexibility of our online learning programme. However, some provisions may not be deliverable in our setting, and these will need to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Some examples include:
• Daily check-ins with a key member of staff (although students have weekly 1:1 mentor sessions)
• Direct provision of therapies such as Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) or Occupational Therapy (OT). These need to be arranged by the local authority and delivered at home or elsewhere.
• Physical learning environments or multi-sensory inputs, which must be managed by the student and their family at home.
Because our students learn from home, they typically have more autonomy over their learning. This can be beneficial, especially for students who need to control their learning environment. However, it also means they need to take more responsibility. If this is difficult, additional adult support at home may be required.
If you need general advice and support about SEND-related issues and queries here is a list of useful organisations to get in touch with:
“It felt like a monumental decision to leave bricks and mortar, but we're 12 months in and we've not looked back once - except in relief!”
Need a hand? Whether you’re a current family or just starting to explore MVA, our team is here to help with anything you need.
Get the full picture of life at MVA — from how our lessons work to everything we offer beyond the classroom.
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Want to chat with a real person? Meet our team, ask your questions, and find out if MVA is the right fit for your family.
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