General Information
Cambridge Home School Online is a British online independent school providing live, teacher-led education to students in the UK and internationally. Students attend scheduled online lessons with qualified, subject-specialist teachers and learn alongside classmates in small groups. Cambridge Home School Online provides a structured alternative to attending a physical school, allowing students to receive a rigorous British education from home or overseas.
Cambridge Home School Online is a British online school educating students in the UK and around the world. Teaching follows a British curriculum and students can study towards recognised qualifications including International GCSEs and A Levels. Because lessons are delivered online, international families can access British education without relocating to the UK.
Cambridge Home School Online is an online school rather than a collection of self-study homeschooling courses. Students have a school timetable, attend live classes with teachers and classmates, complete assignments and receive feedback and academic support. Parents therefore do not have to take on the role of being their child’s subject teacher.
Online schooling allows students to attend school remotely using internet-connected technology. At Cambridge Home School Online, students attend scheduled live lessons with teachers and classmates, rather than simply working through recorded videos or self-study materials. This combines many features of a conventional school, teachers, classmates, timetables, lessons, assignments and pastoral support, with the flexibility of learning from home.
Online schools use very different educational models. Cambridge Home School Online places live teaching by qualified subject-specialist teachers at the centre of the school day. Students learn in small classes and have regular direct interaction with teachers and classmates rather than spending most of the school week working independently through computer-based learning materials. Families comparing online schools should therefore look beyond the number of subjects offered and compare how many lessons are actually taught live, class sizes, teacher qualifications and how much direct teacher contact students receive.
Families choose Cambridge Home School Online for many different reasons, but common priorities include small classes, live teaching, academic ambition, access to qualified subject specialists and the ability to receive a British education from home. Online education can also be attractive to internationally mobile families, young people pursuing demanding sporting or creative interests, and students who find the environment of a large conventional school distracting or unsuitable.
Yes. Cambridge Home School Online is academically selective and is designed for students who are capable of engaging with an academically ambitious programme. Admissions considers whether Cambridge Home School Online is an appropriate educational environment for the individual student rather than assuming that online schooling is suitable for everyone.
Cambridge Home School Online is particularly well suited to students who are academically able, willing to participate in live lessons and able to take increasing responsibility for their learning as they mature. It can work particularly well for students who value smaller classes and a quieter learning environment, international or travelling families, and young people whose sport, performing arts or other commitments make conventional schooling difficult.
No school is right for every child. Cambridge Home School Online has an academically ambitious curriculum and expects students to attend, participate and complete their work. Some children thrive in an online environment while others benefit more from being physically present in a conventional school. The admissions process helps families consider whether Cambridge Home School Online is likely to be a good fit.
Live Teaching and the School Day
Teaching at Cambridge Home School Online is centred on live, teacher-led lessons. Students attend scheduled classes in real time with their teachers and classmates. Teachers can explain concepts, ask questions, respond to students, lead discussions and identify misunderstandings during the lesson. This is fundamentally different from an online programme based primarily on videos and independent study.
No. Cambridge Home School Online is designed around scheduled live teaching rather than replacing teachers with self-directed screen learning. Students also complete homework, assignments, reading, revision and independent study, as they would at a conventional independent school, but these activities complement teacher-led education rather than replacing it.
Students join their scheduled classroom online. The teacher delivers the lesson in real time and students can ask and answer questions, participate in discussions, work through problems and interact with classmates. Because classes are small, teachers can get to know their students and monitor participation and understanding much more closely than would generally be possible in a large class.
Engagement comes primarily from teachers teaching students in real time. Teachers can question students, invite contributions, lead discussion, assess understanding and respond when a student needs additional explanation. Small classes also make it considerably harder for a student simply to disappear unnoticed into the back of a classroom.
Yes, every lesson at Cambridge Home School Online is recorded, giving students a resource to revisit for catch-up or revision. Recordings support rather than replace live attendance, as the educational model is based on students being present and participating in their scheduled classes.
Students should attend their scheduled lessons wherever possible. If absence is unavoidable, the lesson recording along with teachers and school resources help students understand what they have missed and catch up appropriately. Families should not regard recordings or learning resources as a substitute for regular attendance.
Not at Cambridge Home School Online. Cambridge Home School Online provides a structured timetable of scheduled live lessons. There is flexibility because students do not have to travel to a physical school, but students are expected to attend their lessons at the scheduled times.
Yes. Flexi-schooling gives students time out of lessons, by prior agreement, to pursue sport, enterprise or additional study opportunities. Every lesson at Cambridge Home School Online is recorded, so students using flexi-schooling can review anything they miss at any time.
Teachers and Class Sizes
Cambridge Home School Online places qualified and experienced teachers at the heart of education. Students are taught live by teachers with appropriate subject expertise rather than having their education primarily supervised by coaches or mentors. Teacher qualifications and professional experience vary by role and subject, so families who require information about a particular department can meet our teachers.
Yes. At secondary and sixth-form level in particular, specialist subject knowledge is an important part of the Cambridge Home School Online model. Students learn from teachers who understand the subjects they teach and the requirements of the relevant curriculum and examinations. This becomes particularly important as students progress towards International GCSEs and A Levels.
Cambridge Home School Online deliberately keeps classes small, with no more than 10 students in a class. Small classes allow teachers to know their students, encourage participation, identify difficulties and provide substantially more individual attention than is normally possible in a class of 25 or 30 students.
Cambridge Home School Online is a small-class school rather than a one-to-one tutoring service. However, having no more than 10 students in a class gives teachers considerably more opportunity to interact with individual students, monitor progress and identify where support is required.
No. Teaching at Cambridge Home School Online is delivered by teachers. Students may receive other forms of pastoral or academic support, but these do not replace the role of the subject teacher. For families comparing online schools, this is an important distinction: Cambridge Home School Online is built around teacher-led education.
Curriculum, GCSEs and A Levels
Cambridge Home School Online provides a British curriculum designed to give students a strong academic foundation and prepare them for recognised secondary and sixth-form qualifications. The precise subjects and programmes available vary according to the student’s school stage — see the full curriculum for details.
Students can study towards internationally recognised qualifications including International GCSEs and A Levels across a range of academic subjects. The subjects available depend upon the student’s age, stage and programme. Families should consult the current curriculum pages for the latest subject options.
Yes. Cambridge Home School Online prepares students for recognised International GCSE qualifications. International GCSEs are widely studied in British international education and provide progression to A Levels and other post-16 pathways.
Yes. Cambridge Home School Online provides online A Level education through its Sixth Form, with live subject-specialist teaching and preparation for recognised A Level examinations.
The mode of teaching does not turn an International GCSE or A Level into an “online qualification.” Students study towards qualifications awarded by recognised examination boards and ultimately sit the relevant examinations. A university or employer is therefore interested in the qualification and grade achieved rather than whether the student attended their lessons in a physical or online classroom.
International GCSEs and A Levels awarded by recognised examination boards are widely accepted by universities in the UK and internationally, subject to the entry requirements of the individual university and course. Students considering a particular university or country should always check its current entry requirements.
Cambridge Home School Online offers a broad academic curriculum across its different school stages. Available subjects vary by age and qualification level, so families should use the relevant Prep, Lower School, Upper School and Sixth Form curriculum pages for the current subject list.
Online schooling and formal examinations are separate. Students normally sit externally assessed examinations at an appropriate approved examination centre. Because Cambridge Home School Online students live in many different countries, examination arrangements can vary by location. Families should plan examination-centre arrangements well in advance and seek guidance from the school where required.
Academic Standards and Results
Changing schools cannot guarantee higher grades. Academic outcomes depend on factors including prior attainment, attendance, effort, engagement, teaching and the individual student. However, some students benefit significantly from small classes, fewer classroom distractions and increased access to teachers. Cambridge Home School Online is designed to create those conditions while maintaining high academic expectations.
Cambridge Home School Online’s A*-A grades place the school in the top 4% of UK schools. Families should refer to the school’s current results page for the latest published figures rather than relying on older statistics quoted elsewhere.
Cambridge Home School Online students sit examinations through examination centres in the UK and internationally, so the school does not receive a single consolidated results feed directly from examination boards. The school therefore relies on families reporting results and supplying supporting evidence. Published results are calculated from the verified results reported to the school. This methodology should be considered when interpreting the published figures.
Teachers assess student understanding through their work, classroom participation, assignments and other appropriate assessments. This allows the school to identify strengths, gaps in knowledge and areas where additional work may be required. Parents receive information about their child’s progress through the school’s reporting and communication processes.
Admissions
Families can apply through the Cambridge Home School Online admissions process. Admissions considers the student’s age, academic background and individual circumstances to establish whether Cambridge Home School Online is likely to be an appropriate school for them. The current application form and any applicable registration fee are published on the Admissions section of the website.
Yes. Families are encouraged to speak with the Admissions team if they have questions about suitability, curriculum, entry requirements or how online schooling would work for their child. This is particularly useful where a family is moving from another educational system or has unusual circumstances.
Cambridge Home School Online is academically selective. Admissions considers previous education, academic ability and whether the student is likely to engage successfully with the Cambridge Home School Online educational model. Requirements can differ by age and programme, particularly for entry to examination courses and Sixth Form.
Places may sometimes be available during the academic year. Whether mid-year entry is appropriate depends on availability, the student’s previous studies and where the relevant class has reached in its curriculum. Admissions can advise families on the available options.
Availability varies by school stage, subject and time of year because Cambridge Home School Online deliberately limits class sizes. Where a class is full, families should ask Admissions about availability and possible future entry points.
The current registration fee and its terms are published on the Cambridge Home School Online Grades & Fees page. Families should check the current published terms before applying, as fees and conditions can change.
International Families
A British online education is particularly useful for expatriate families, internationally mobile families, and students living in locations where the desired British school provision is unavailable locally.
Live lessons follow the school’s published timetable based on UK time. International families should therefore consider the time difference between their location and the UK before enrolling. The timetable can be particularly convenient for some regions and less practical for others, so families should check lesson times carefully.
Yes, subject to admissions requirements and the courses available. International GCSEs and A Levels are widely used by international schools and students around the world. Families also need to ensure that suitable examination-centre arrangements are available in their country.
Yes. Students living overseas can apply to UK universities provided they meet the entry and application requirements of their chosen institutions and courses. Cambridge Home School Online Sixth Form students studying recognised A Levels can use those qualifications as part of university applications.
Student Life and Socialisation
Yes. Online students can form genuine friendships, although social interaction inevitably looks different from attending a physical school. Cambridge Home School Online students see classmates regularly in live lessons and can interact through appropriate school activities and communities. Families may also choose to maintain local friendships, sports, clubs and activities outside school.
Online schooling does not automatically cause or prevent social isolation. Much depends on the individual child and their life outside school. One advantage of online education is that removing commuting time can create more time for local friendships, sports, hobbies, family activities and clubs. Families should nevertheless think deliberately about their child’s social life outside lessons.
Cambridge Home School Online offers over 20 free extracurricular clubs, alongside house competitions and national and international competitions, giving students a chance to build skills and connect with classmates outside the academic timetable.
Yes. The student council at Cambridge Home School Online gives students a voice in school life, discussing issues that matter to them and lobbying council leaders to have those issues raised at regular council meetings.
Yes. Cambridge Home School Online’s eLibrary gives students free access to thousands of e-books and audiobooks, available anywhere, anytime, and on multiple devices. More about school life.
SEND and Additional Needs
Cambridge Home School Online accepts applications from students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). However, Cambridge Home School Online is not a SEND specialist school, and while the school always makes reasonable adjustments, students are required to have cameras on and fully participate in lessons, so there may be better alternatives for some students.
Online schooling can work very well for some autistic students and students with ADHD, but it is not automatically the right solution for every student with either condition. Some students value smaller classes, predictable routines and learning from a familiar environment. Others may require forms of specialist or in-person support that an online school cannot provide. Suitability should therefore be assessed individually.
Cambridge Home School Online’s small classes and quieter home learning environment can genuinely help students who have found a large, busy conventional classroom overwhelming. Live lessons keep students engaged with teachers and classmates each day, giving structure and connection alongside the change of environment. Families are welcome to discuss their child’s specific circumstances with Admissions to see how the school’s model and support can be tailored to help them settle in and thrive.
Cambridge Home School Online aims to understand students’ individual learning needs and make appropriate support available within its online educational model. The support that can reasonably be provided depends on the student’s circumstances. Families requiring particular adjustments or specialist provision should discuss these requirements with Admissions before accepting a place.
Technology
A laptop or desktop computer running Windows 10 or later, or an equivalent Apple Mac, is recommended, with at least an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 15-inch or larger screen. A wired internet connection with a minimum download speed of 10 Mbps is recommended over Wi-Fi, along with a headset with a microphone for the best audio quality. Tablets and mobile devices are fine for viewing content but are not recommended for regular studying. See the full system requirements for details.
Students need to be comfortable with everyday digital tasks, but they do not need advanced technical knowledge. They will become familiar with joining lessons, accessing resources, submitting work and communicating through the school’s approved systems.
Lessons at Cambridge Home School Online are delivered through Microsoft Teams, where students join live classes and access learning materials in one place.
Fees
Fees vary according to the student’s school stage. The Grades & Fees page contains the current published tuition fees. Families should use that page for current prices rather than relying on figures reproduced on third-party websites or older search results.
Tuition fees cover the educational provision specified for the student’s programme, including scheduled teaching and associated school provision. Families should check the current Fees page for precisely what is included and whether items such as examination-entry fees or optional activities incur separate costs.
No. Examination-centre and entry costs are paid separately by families and can vary according to examination centre and location.
Private online schools such as Cambridge Home School Online charge tuition fees. Home education itself does not require parents to purchase private schooling, but families choosing a private online school pay for the teachers, curriculum, school systems, academic support and other services provided.
No. Cambridge Home School Online does not offer instalment payment plans. Families pay school fees in full.
University and Future Progression
Yes. Students can progress from Cambridge Home School Online to universities in the UK and internationally, provided they meet the academic and other entry requirements of their chosen course. Studying at an online school does not prevent a student from applying to university.
Yes. Cambridge Home School Online students can apply to the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge, and the school’s Oxbridge Russell Group partnerships give students exposure and guidance to help build a strong application. As with any student, admission then depends on meeting the university’s entry requirements and succeeding through its normal, competitive admissions process.
Yes. As a UCAS registered partner, Cambridge Home School Online can fully support families with UCAS applications to universities.
Recognised GCSEs, International GCSEs and A Levels do not become different qualifications because the teaching was delivered online. Employers will normally see the examination-board qualification and grade achieved rather than an “online version” of that qualification.
University and Future Progression
No. The term “online school” covers substantially different educational models. Some schools provide extensive live teaching, while others rely more heavily on independent learning platforms, recorded material, mentors or coaches. Class sizes, teacher qualifications, curriculum, pastoral provision and academic expectations also vary considerably. Families should therefore compare the actual educational provision rather than assuming two online schools offering the same qualification provide the same schooling.
Parents should ask: how many lessons are taught live each week, who actually teaches the student, whether teachers are appropriately qualified subject specialists, what the maximum class size is, how much learning is expected to take place independently, which qualifications are offered, how progress is monitored, what pastoral and safeguarding systems are provided, how examinations are arranged, and whether the school’s academic level is appropriate for the child. The answers are generally more informative than simply comparing tuition fees.
In a live online school, students attend scheduled classes in real time with teachers and classmates. In self-paced learning, students typically work through resources, videos or software more independently and receive support at particular points. Both models can have legitimate uses, but they provide very different educational experiences. Cambridge Home School Online is built primarily around live teacher-led schooling.
Flipped learning generally means students first work through recorded videos or independent materials on their own, with limited or no scheduled contact with a live teacher during the core lesson itself. This is a different model from Cambridge Home School Online, where the primary teaching method is a live, teacher-led lesson delivered in real time. Families should check whether an online school’s “lessons” mean scheduled live teaching or pre-recorded content students watch independently, since the two can look similar on paper but provide very different levels of direct teacher contact.
Cambridge Home School Online recognises that AI tools can be genuinely useful in education, but it does not use AI as a substitute for real, qualified teachers. Every lesson is delivered live by a subject-specialist human teacher who can explain, question, and respond to students in the moment. Cambridge Home School Online sees the value of AI as a supporting tool, not a replacement for live human teaching, which remains at the centre of its educational model.