A Levels are an opportunity for any student to re-think, refine and focus on what they want to be and do.

A good school should nurture and support students through one of the most singular and exciting moments in their academic career. 

Minerva’s Virtual Academy creates an environment in which students really begin to bring their learning to life, and not just cram for exams.

We offer an extensive range of subjects and a totally unique extracurricular programme to help our students prepare for the modern world and give them a real sense of the person they are maturing into.

Our programme incorporates world-class teaching with a dedicated mentoring framework for each child, cutting-edge virtual learning tools and a holistic, caring school environment.

We hold Weekly Assemblies, extra-curricular activities and offer a unique Lifeskills and Enrichment programme, not to mention the Minerva Galactic Award to rival and surpass any bricks and mortar alternative that currently operates in the UK or around the world.

Subjects

A Level students at Minerva's Virtual Academy will typically study 3 subjects alongside a vibrant programme of enrichment and preparation for further study and adult life.

There is a wide range of subjects to choose from, including:

• Biology
• Business (Cambridge)
• Chemistry
• Computer Science (Cambridge)
• Economics (Cambridge)
• English (Cambridge)
• French
• Geography (Cambridge)
• History (Cambridge)
• Maths
• Further Maths (Cambridge)
• Physics
• Psychology (Cambridge)
• Spanish

Please note that a Grade 6 GCSE level will be required for progression to A Level in that subject.

Studying additional subjects

If a student wishes to study other subjects, or requires on-going extra support in a specific subject or for Special Education Needs, we can organise expert 1-to-1 tutoring as a separate arrangement through our sister company, Minerva Tutors. Many of our GCSE pupils are doing this to great effect - and means we are able to put together a bespoke educational package to best suit the individual student.

Year 12 Weekly Timetable

We are currently working on a provisional timetable for Year 12. 

• Each day at Minerva’s Virtual Academy, a Sixth form student will have at least 1-2 hours of direct contact time with us, either with their teachers during live subject lessons, their mentor during mentor sessions, or at their After School Club, or during Assembly and another commitments

• The remainder of the day is reserved for self study

• We follow a 2-week timetable - every 2 weeks the learning material on our Virtual Learning Environment is updated and every year group progresses together onto the next stage of their course

• Mentor sessions are timetabled individually for each pupil - students will be given a one-to-one mentor whose subject specialism aligns with their subject choices so that they can provide the most effective academic support alongside pastoral care

• Beyond that, our weekly Year 12 timetable of Assembly, our unique A Level Enrichment & Lifeskills Programme, After School Clubs, Wellbeing classes, and Drop-in and Study Group  sessions are scheduled once term begins and times may vary

• We end lessons and clubs by mid-afternoon in order to enable pupils to take advantage of hobbies and opportunities in their local area - exercise, sports teams, social clubs, music and drama activities - and we actively encourage this to ensure our students benefit from a well-rounded, active and joyful time at school 

How Our Students Learn

Students learn through a combination of interactive, small group live subject lessons taught by specialist teachers and modules of self-study work on Canvas (our Virtual Learning Platform).

They also benefit from the support of an academic and personal mentor whose subject specialism is linked to the student's subject choices.

Sixth form students taking three A Level courses have 6 hours of live subject lessons per week and all have a dedicated hour of 1-to-1 time per fortnight with their mentor - after which the mentor writes an update report for parents.

Students are able to form 'Study Groups' with their classmates, and structure and complete their self-study work via our Virtual Learning Environment around their live lesson schedule.

Lifeskills & Enrichment Programme

In addition to their subjects, all Sixth Form students at Minerva’s Virtual Academy will take part in our unique co-curricular Enrichment and Life Skills programme which includes the following elements:

Symposia

For one hour per week, students follow a succession of highly-stimulating short courses which aim to introduce them to university-style thinking and skills that will be essential for modern life and the workplace. Courses we intend to run in 2022-23 include:

• Becoming What We Are: Literature & Identity
• The Netflix Effect: Introducing Critical Theory through the Art of Binge-Watching
• Global Politics in a Zombie Pandemic
• Should You Push The Fat Man? How To Make Hard or Impossible Decisions

Symposia will combine with the “Minerva Galactic Award” (see below: the Sixth Form iteration of the Minerva “Global Award”), which will not attract UCAS points but will have a significant benefit to UCAS personal statements and university applications. At present, there are no plans to introduce the EPQ. 

Lifeskills Programme

From cooking to managing a budget, healthy lifestyles to savings & investments, the Life Skills programme  ensures that graduating Academy students will have the skills they need to thrive in life beyond school.

Minerva Galactic Awar

All students in Year 12 will follow our own bespoke multi-disciplinary self-development programme, guided by their personal mentor, which involves completing an academic project of personal interest, volunteering, fundraising and event organisation, young enterprise, and more.

This is similar to the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. 

More details will be updated shortly.

Social Activity & Meetups

As in our GCSE programme, there will continue to be regular online socials and termly opportunities to meet up in person, along with overnight school trips and special events.

UCAS & University Application

Should our students wish to apply for University, their UCAS application will be supported through a formal process with their personal mentor as well as periodic UCAS-focused stand-alone sessions with Academy staff. 

After School Clubs

Students will have the opportunity to sign up for one or more of our After School Clubs.

The current choices are: Art, Film Production, Debating and E-Gaming, with more being added all the time.

Open Evening

We are holding an A Level Open Evening for New Parents on Tuesday 15 February at 6.30pm.

The event is open to parents and their children and will take place online, lasting for 1 hour. 

You'll be able to meet our Headmaster Lawrence and other members of the school faculty as we talk through our upcoming A Level programme and answer any questions you may have.

Full event schedule to be posted shortly.

If you would like to attend, please book your slot here to gain access to the event.

Enrolment

The A Level programme will begin in September 2022.

You can enrol your child now by heading to our Admissions department.

Please also see our Fees page.