About Us.
Introduction.
The 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.
It is the perfect school for modern times - combining smart technology and engaging online resources with one-to-one support, active group learning and exciting multi-disciplinary projects.
We offer pupils the flexibility to learn from the comfort of their home, anywhere in the world, while ensuring they develop the social skills required to live fulfilling lives and succeed in the workplaces of the future.
The skills we champion are self-sufficiency, collaboration, problem-solving, creative and critical thinking, leadership, and mindfulness.
Foundation.
The Academy was founded in October 2020 by Minerva Tutors, the UK's leading homeschooling and private tuition agency.
Since it's inception in 2014, Minerva Tutors has won many awards and continues to attract the finest teaching talent in the country.
Both organisations are run by Hugh Viney, 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 was to help professionalise the tutoring industry and to offer parents an alternative approach to the norm - complimenting the standard methodology of "exams-based" tuition with a broader educational approach that would benefit pupils for the long run, not just to help them pass exams.
A Classicist at heart, Hugh's own style of teaching informs everything Minerva does. By focusing on pupil confidence (Hugh's mantra has always been to "motivate, encourage and inspire" his pupils to success), he and his tutoring team are able to produce outstanding results in their pupil's academic performance and personal development.
The Academy is the culmination of Minerva's desire to help as many children as possible benefit from the advantages that a private education can offer. The school offers a bespoke and enriching education to each child, aims to make it as affordable as possible, and is passionate about making its curriculum as relevant as possible for the modern world.
Why Choose Us.
Minerva’s Virtual Academy is built upon four pillars: Virtual Learning Platform, Mentoring, Collaborative Learning and Community.
The four pillars allow us to deliver a highly effective 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.
Virtual Learning Platform
Mentoring
Every pupil is assigned a personal mentor to help bring out the best in them. A true ally on the pupil’s educational journey, the mentor will meet with each pupil regularly and can be contacted at any time via email or chat.
It is the mentor’s job to oversee all aspects of the pupil’s academic progress, pastoral wellbeing and involvement in school life. They are highly trained and experienced with 1000s of hours of 1-2-1 mentorship under their belt. They have been selected as the best of the best of Minerva Tutors.
Collaborative Learning
Group Subject Lessons
Pupils attend live subject lessons for which they will have done preparatory work. The specialist teachers will lead these engaging and interactive sessions, helping pupils to deepen and apply their learning and giving them the chance to work collaboratively.
World Changer Projects
Led by tutors with special interests and experience, or external organisations such as the International Space School Education Trust (affiliated with NASA), these projects will have incredible lasting impact on our pupils’ futures, whilst also being hugely enjoyable!
Community
Weekly Assemblies: an opportunity for the whole school to come together, celebrate successes, share stories and reflect on important values for life.
Wellbeing Programme: weekly sessions help pupils to know themselves, develop resilience and practise mindfulness, learn about and discuss issues that affect them, and equip them to make good life choices.
Clubs: every pupil joins at least one club and may join more - from Art to Film Production, Book Club to Debating and Creative Computing.
Guest Speakers: pupils and parents alike are invited to attend termly virtual talks by inspirational speakers.
Optional In-person Meetups: we organise periodic days out for the entire school community - an opportunity to develop the friendships built through group learning and clubs, in person!