Face-to-Face GCSE Business Studies and GCSE Mandarin Tutor in Dorset

Experience the award-winning online school for 11 - 18 year olds

World-class virtual schooling built on personal mentoring and community, run by teachers from the UK's top schools, and proudly accredited by the Department for Education (read the full report here)

We are 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.

We operate term dates broadly in line with those in the independent school sector.

Our curriculum for Years 7 and 8 takes advantage of Key Stage 3's flexibility. Alongside the foundational curriculum, students encounter a diverse array of topics. The key stage 3 curriculum combines the Inner core subjects of English, Maths, and Science (Cambridge Lower Secondary) and the outer core is made up of History, French, German, Spanish, Global Perspectives, Digital Literacy, PSHE, Classical Civilisation, Computing, Music and Art & Design.

Pupils commonly study between 5 and 9 subjects in Years 9-11 and 3 - 4 subjects in Years 12-13. These include a combination of the core subjects: Maths, English Language, English Literature, Biology, Chemistry and Physics - and electives: Geography, History, Business Studies, Psychology, Global Citizenship, Computer Science, French, Spanish, Art and Music. All of our courses (with the exception of Psychology, Art and Music) are IGCSEs awarded by either Cambridge or Pearson Edexcel.

How Pupils Learn

Minerva’s Virtual Academy is underpinned by ‘four pillars’. These are: a virtual learning platform, live lessons, mentoring and community. As part of this offer, all pupils receive weekly one-to-one mentoring sessions and, through the virtual learning platform, can communicate with their mentors at any time. Community plays a key role at Minerva’s Virtual Academy. Pupils attend weekly assemblies and can participate in a wide range of after-school clubs. 

The curriculum at Minerva’s Virtual Academy is delivered through a ‘flipped learning’ model. This involves pupils undertaking interactive self-study on the virtual learning platform before attending live lessons. 

Alongside the taught curriculum, pupils participate in an extensive well-being programme. Designed to support pupils’ personal and academic growth, wellbeing sessions help pupils manage their own health, relationships, emotional intelligence and communication skills.