Who says cats can't do online courses?
Correspondence Courses, Online Schools, and Distance Learning Providers
Buying a distance learning course is not necessary in order to study for exams. Plenty of home-ed students follow a DIY approach. They use the course textbook and supplement it with online material (often free) and past exam papers (free, online) for practice and revision. If you follow this approach, look at the individual subject pages to see which textbooks are appropriate for the specification you are studying. (Always double-check that the textbooks are for the current syllabus). For most of us it is crucial that the textbook answers are easily available so we, or our children, can mark work. Some companies only provide answers in a special 'Teacher's Guide', which can be horrendously expensive.
However, distance learning courses do work well for many families. They can take the strain, and a lot of responsibility, from parental shoulders, especially if neither parent nor student is confident marking or checking the work. Another option if you want more structure is an online school. Students log on and join a virtual class with a teacher and a group of other students, for example every morning, Monday-Friday.
If you would prefer face-to-face teaching, or individual online tuition, see also the HE Group Learning and Tutor Recommendations facebook group.
Distance Learning Providers
See also individual subject pages for more options. Some of the following providers are nationwide companies which advertise widely. Others are home-education specialists, often current or former home-educating parents, who offer niche courses specifically to home-educating families.
The home-ed specialist courses are mostly run by home-ed parents who understand that home education can work in many different ways. Generally these courses will be cheaper than those provided by the big distance learning companies.
There is a Facebook group for Home Education Online Tutors and Groups, which may have additional listings or news. For more recommendations, ask on the HE exams and alternatives group
Providers, listed by subject
(scroll further down for a list of online schools and providers of multiple subjects)
Art
Arts Award Initiative for Arts Award and Bronze Crest Award, all online. Visit the facebook page (home ed arts award) for info and details
Dreaming Spires home learning 2-year Art History course by a teacher qualified to prepare students for Pearson A-level.
Online College of Art and Design (run by Cambridge home schooling) Offers a range of art courses. Mixed reviews. If you sign up for an art qualification course, do make sure you have an exam centre that can facilitate the exam and will sign off the necessary coursework. Check trial/cancellation small print.
Wolsey Hall Cambridge accredited online school offering A Level History of Art. A balanced mix of online and offline study with no live lessons means studies are flexible and can fit around the student. Easy to use online learning platform with helpful and constructive support from Tutors. The active student community welcomes all ages to participate in clubs and competitions.
Business Subjects
HomeMadeEducation offers IGCSE Economics, IGCSE Business Studies, GCSE Statistics, IGCSE Travel and Tourism, IGCSE Development Studies in a variety of flexible formats, available to enrol anytime. Developed by a home educator for home educators. (A level courses also offered in some subjects)
Wolsey Hall Cambridge accredited online school offering structured Business courses at IGCSE and A Level. A balanced mix of online and offline study with no live lessons means studies are flexible and can fit around the student. Easy to use online learning platform with helpful and constructive support from Tutors. The active student community welcomes all ages to participate in clubs and competitions.
Computer Science
Learntec home educator-run online Computer Science courses for Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science 0478/0984 syllabus and KS3 Computer Science. Live classes are run over a virtual classroom. Full support is given to students. Individual tuition and coaching are also available. Self-led courses are also available. Learntec has had very good reviews on the HE Exams networks.
Netschool Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science. Live classes.
Wolsey Hall Cambridge accredited online school offering IGCSE Computer Science. A balanced mix of online and offline study with no live lessons means studies are flexible and can fit around the student. Easy to use online learning platform with helpful and constructive support from Tutors. The active student community welcomes all ages to participate in clubs and competitions.
English
Catherine Mooney Tutoring (Also available via Echo Education) English Language and English Literature, from £295 per IGCSE . Catherine has experience as a home-educating parent.
Dreaming Spires Home Learning run by a home-edding mum and CAIE Examiner Dr Kat Patrick. Covers English via deep reading, and add-on writing extensions help prepare students for IGCSE English and literature exams. Also Dreaming Spires Revision for its online Cambridge IGCSE English Language crammer. Revision guide based on the course are available on Amazon
HomeMadeEducation offers IGCSE English Language (CAIE and Edexcel) and IGCSE English Literature (CAIE and Edexcel) in a variety of flexible formats.
Wolsey Hall Cambridge accredited online school offering structured English Language and Literature courses for Primary, Lower Secondary, IGCSE and A Level. A balanced mix of online and offline study with no live lessons means studies are flexible and can fit around the student. Easy to use online learning platform with helpful and constructive support from Tutors. The active student community welcomes all ages to participate in clubs and competitions.
Foreign Languages
Adventures in Spanish - online and in-person classes and individual tuition. Message through Facebook group or through this website "Having conversation classes with Kelly from Adventures in Spanish over skype was a really confidence boost for my son for his IGCSE Spanish."
Dreaming Spires Home Learning provides French1, 2 and 3 as live, online group courses as well as Spanish 1, 2, and 3.
efrenchtuitiononlineOnline French tuition from ks3 to A level. Live classes or distance learning/self-led courses.
Wolsey Hall Cambridge accredited online school offering structured Language courses for Lower Secondary (French and Spanish) and IGCSE (French, German, Latin and Spanish). A balanced mix of online and offline study with no live lessons means studies are flexible and can fit around the student. Easy to use online learning platform with helpful and constructive support from Tutors. The active student community welcomes all ages to participate in clubs and competitions.
Geography
Dreaming Spires Home Learning provides preparation for both IGCSE and (coming soon) A-level geography using the Cambridge board. Long-term examiner and former question-setter.
Echo EducationOffers Edexcel IGCSE geography
HomeMadeEducation - run by a home educator, HomeMadeEducation offers courses in CIE IGCSE Environmental Management, CIE IGCSE Development Studies, CIE IGCSE Geography ... all in a variety of flexible formats.
Wolsey Hall Cambridge accredited online school offering Geography courses for Primary, Lower Secondary, IGCSE and A Level. A balanced mix of online and offline study with no live lessons means studies are flexible and can fit around the student. Easy to use online learning platform with helpful and constructive support from Tutors. The active student community welcomes all ages to participate in clubs and competitions.
History
Dreaming Spires - Ancient History, (Rome and Greece), taught by an Open University lecturer under the specification of the OCR syllabus. Modern and Mediaeval History (taught by Yvonne Mason) covers skills and tools toward GCSEs.
Echo Education Offers Cambridge IGCSE history
Wolsey Hall Cambridge-accredited online school. offering Maths at Primary, Lower Secondary, IGCSE and A Level (including Further Maths). Online and offline study; no live lessons. Online learning platform with support from tutors. The student community provides clubs and competitions. Note that they mostly offer courses for Cambridge exam board, so do make sure you have an exam centre that is registered for Cambridge exams.
Law
itutorlaw - Diane May is a home educating mum, freelance solicitor and Open University law tutor. Online GCSE Law, tutoring programme, with full support at a competitive cost. Visit itutorlaw.co.uk or email Diane at dianemay@itutorlaw.co.uk (Note: GCSE Law has now been withdrawn. Last sitting was 2018. A Level Law is still currently available).
Mathematics
Absolute Maths Distance Learning is run by a home educating family, Emma and Dan. They offer Distance Learning courses for KS3 Maths, IGCSE/GCSE Maths and GCSE Statistics, 1 to 1 private tuition and an IGCSE/GCSE revision website. Courses are from £350, including live tuition (payment options are available) including weekly tuition sessions in small groups,weekly work and an online learning hub. There is the option to purchase the course at a reduced rate with recorded sessions only. IGCSE/GCSE courses can be 1 or 2 years.
Conquermaths (self-led subscription. No tutor support). There is a discounted subscription available to home educators via the AWE home ed club. Ask on the HE exams and alternatives group for further info.
Dreaming Spires Home Learning Advanced Algebra/Probability course to prepare for the future in data analytics: wider, broader, deeper for GCSE students or a springboard to A-level and future mathematicians at uni, taught by a fellow at an Oxbridge college.
Echo Education Offer Ks3 courses and Edexcel A IGCSE and Edexcel GCSE courses.
HomeMadeEducation: Offers GCSE Courses in Statistics, in a variety of formats.
Netschool Offers IGCSE maths (higher tier), Further Pure Maths, and Maths A level.
Pembrokeshire College online Offers courses in IGCSE and A level maths
Penny Chivers Not a home educating parent, but a very HE-friendly distance maths tutor. One and two year online IGCSE classes. Also KS3 online classes.
Wolsey Hall Cambridge-accredited online school. offering Maths at Primary, Lower Secondary, IGCSE and A Level (including Further Maths). Online and offline study; no live lessons. Online learning platform with support from tutors. The student community provides clubs and competitions. Note that they mostly offer courses for Cambridge exam board, so do make sure you have an exam centre that is registered for Cambridge exams.
Sciences
Science courses with tutor support
Dreaming Spires Home Learning approaches CAIE exam sciences through living books and contemporary issues, while covering all the topics you'd find in the board's syllabus. The specialist tutor provides a General Science course for those not ready to hone down for exams yet.
Echo Education - Sam Martell and Clare Patrick offer Chemistry, Biology, Human Biology, Physics and Double Science IGCSE, £280 per single subject including tutor support plus books/equipment or £99 without tutor support. Double award is £700 with tutor support and £299 without tutor support. (Echo Education also offers other subjects - see under subject headings).
Little Arthur - Long established course provider for a range of subjects at Ks3 and Ks4. £255 per IGCSE. One of the few providers for IGCSE agriculture (will need to attend centre for practical components). Old-school, self-led with tutor support, no online platform. Note their courses are mostly for Cambridge IGCSEs, so you will need an exam centre that can facilitate Cambridge exams.
Netschool Offer a range of live online classes (also recorded) in different sciences. Not cheap, but they have a good reputation among home educators. Courses generally fill early.
Pembrokeshire College online Offers courses in IGCSE and A level sciences (including practical endorsements for A levels)
South West Science School Offer online courses which you can study at your own rate with weekly question sheets and mock exams following the IGCSE EdExcel Physics Syllabus. The course is features over a 70 videos ranging from 15 mins to 1 hour, online assignments, self assessed assignments as well as mock exam questions throughout the course. The course is supported by a qualified teacher and a university lecturer.
Wolsey Hall Cambridge-accredited online school. offering Maths at Primary, Lower Secondary, IGCSE and A Level (including Further Maths). Online and offline study; no live lessons. Online learning platform with support from tutors. The student community provides clubs and competitions. Note that they mostly offer courses for Cambridge exam board, so do make sure you have an exam centre that is registered for Cambridge exams.
Self-led science courses/resources with no tutor support:
IGCSE Science Courses Graham Bray provides a series of video tutorials for Biology, Physics and Chemistry for one set fee. He also provides a KS3 science course. There is currently a discounted subscription available to home educators via the PopArt group.
LearnersCloud - subscription to educational videos sorted by curriculum. Free trial available. Short videos to introduce each topic, so you could watch the video before working through your textbook chapter.
Mr Exham youtube channel Lots of free videos for Edexcel IGCSE biology and A level Biology. Cheerful, clear videos, with a voice that isn't irritating! Additional (paid) resources are available from the Mr Exham website Focus is on Edexcel IGCSE Biology and A level biology.
Social Sciences
HomeMadeEducation offers GCSE Psychology (Edexcel), GCSE Sociology (AQA) and IGCSE Economics (Edexcel) in a variety of formats (online, printed and in person). Developed by a home educator. A level courses also offered.
Wolsey Hall Cambridge-accredited online school. offering Maths at Primary, Lower Secondary, IGCSE and A Level (including Further Maths). Online and offline study; no live lessons. Online learning platform with support from tutors. The student community provides clubs and competitions. Note that they mostly offer courses for Cambridge exam board, so do make sure you have an exam centre that is registered for Cambridge exams.
Multiple Subject Distance Learning Course Providers
Dreaming Spires Home Learning See information under the headings of various subjects above. Offers Ancient History, Modern History (with Yvonne Mason), General Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, French, Spanish, Mathematics, Art History, Geography, and a Creative Writing course.
Echo Education - see information under the various subject headings above. Offers Science, History, Geography and Maths at IGCSE/GCSE level, plus some subjects at KS3.
HomeMadeEducation: Run by an HE parent, offers a wide range of GCSE/IGCSE and A level courses; all inclusive courses offering excellent value.
Humanatees offer a variety of humanities subjects at ks3 and IGCSE via online live classes.
Interhigh - Online School. Please beware that their safeguarding policy says that they will inform your LA when you register, when you leave, and if there are attendance issues, and in multiple other circumstances. While some home educators have found their classes satisfactory for their child, there are have also been a number of poor reviews.
Little Arthur - Long established course provider for a range of subjects at Ks3 and Ks4. £255 per IGCSE. One of the few providers for IGCSE agriculture (will need to attend centre for practical components). Old-school, self-led with tutor support, no online setup. Note their courses are for Cambridge IGCSE exams, so you will need an exam centre that can facilitate Cambridge exams.
Net School - online provider of various subjects. Study a single subject, or combination of subjects, from primary to A level. Live lessons, which are recorded. Offers a limited selection of A level subjects. Generally gets very good reviews from home educators.
My Online Schooling similar to Net School in that they provide live, online group classes for various subjects. Covering KS2 through to GCSE/IGCSE and with options to study individual or a combination of subjects.
NSWLearning - (formerly NorthStarWorldwide) former home educators who set up specialist online learning provider in 1999. From 2018 IGCSEs are now purchased as complete courses and can be begun at almost any time of year. Prices have dropped significantly - complete IGCSEs cost £450 and pre-IGCSE courses are £225. NSW is also an exam centre for CAiE, Edexcel and OCR.
Oxford Home Schooling Wide range of IGCSEs. Sliding scale costs, £350 for one IGCSE. No connection to the university. Has had some good reviews from home educators, and some not-so-good, but it depends how well you get on with your subject tutor. See below for reviews.
ThinkersMeetUp offer curriculum-based and interest-based live, online classes for students covering Classics, English Language and Literature, Maths, Science, Coding, Music and Art and Philosophy, Politics and Society for 7 - 18 year olds.
Wolsey Hall Cambridge-accredited online school. offering Maths at Primary, Lower Secondary, IGCSE and A Level (including Further Maths). Online and offline study; no live lessons. Online learning platform with support from tutors. The student community provides clubs and competitions. Note that they mostly offer courses for Cambridge exam board, so do make sure you have an exam centre that is registered for Cambridge exams.
Below are some comments from members of the HE-Exams email group on using distance learning providers.
Reviews and Advice from Home Educators
Reviews have been moved to Reviews of distance learning providers. Many are quite old and are in the process of being updated.
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