Service categories: Schools and education providers

Service URL: https://www.minervavirtual.com/

Minerva Virtual Academy is a Department for Education-accredited online school for students aged 11 to 18. It provides a flexible British education for students across Years 7 to 13, including autistic and neurodivergent young people and those with other special educational needs and disabilities.

Students learn from home in a calm, low-stress environment, with predictable routines and fewer sensory demands than they may experience in a traditional school setting. The school combines live teaching, guided independent study and weekly one-to-one mentoring, helping each student learn at the right pace and with the right adjustments.

Minerva Virtual Academy provides:

• A safe, low-stress learning environment at home
• Small classes with clear expectations
• Weekly one-to-one support from a personal mentor
• Flexible timetables based around individual learning needs
• Live lessons and guided independent study
• Lesson recordings, allowing students to revisit learning or catch up
• Planned time away for appointments or recovery without falling behind
• Assistive learning technology
• Additional SEND support where required
• A dedicated neurodiversity social club
• A wellbeing programme covering areas such as breathing techniques and healthy study habits

Each student is assigned a personal mentor who meets with them weekly to plan their workload, build confidence and help coordinate their support. Mentors receive specialist SEND training, with some holding SENDCo qualifications and others bringing extensive experience of working with children with SEND. The school’s SEND team also provides regular staff training on different needs, including Pathological Demand Avoidance.

Minerva Virtual Academy understands that some students may find live online lessons difficult. While attendance is encouraged, students are not formally required to attend every live lesson. Students who do not attend are asked to take part in their weekly mentoring session and school assembly. Camera exemptions can also be arranged for students who experience anxiety, while private chat allows students to ask questions without speaking on their microphone.

The school can meet many provisions set out in an Education, Health and Care Plan due to the flexibility of its online learning model. Each student’s requirements are reviewed individually. Some forms of provision cannot be delivered directly online, including speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical learning environments and multisensory support. These may need to be arranged separately by the family or local authority.

Learning from home gives students greater control over their surroundings and more autonomy over their education. However, some students may require additional support from an adult at home to manage their workload and take part in school life.

Minerva Virtual Academy welcomes students from across the UK and internationally. Its inclusive community includes live assemblies, clubs, wellbeing activities and opportunities to connect with other students who understand their experiences.

We cater for:

• Autistic and neurodivergent students
• Students with special educational needs and disabilities
• Students who experience anxiety in traditional school environments
• Students with sensory needs
• Students who need greater flexibility or control over their learning environment
• Students with an Education, Health and Care Plan, subject to an individual assessment of their required provision

Eligibility

Age: From 11 to 18

Location: Online, available across the UK and internationally

Education stages: Years 7 to 13, including GCSE, A-level and BTEC study

Referral Sources: Education, Yourself

Specialisms: Has autism-specific elements, Learning disability