FAQs
Learn more about learning with us
General Information
Our school combines a holistic personalised learning experience with the convenience of online education, led by expert teachers and supported by over 34 years of experience in educational leadership. We prioritise inclusivity, ensuring that all students feel valued, respected, and empowered in their learning.
We are the newest branch of one of the oldest and most trusted educational providers. Our online school was founded to extend our tradition of academic excellence into the digital space, making high-quality education accessible for students everywhere. Our Head Teacher has 13 years of experience in leading Online Education establishments.
Yes, our school is fully accredited by Pearson Education and the UK Register of Learning Providers ensuring that our programs meet high standards and that our students’ credits are transferable.
We serve students from Key Stage 1 through to Sixth Form, with a curriculum tailored to meet the developmental needs of each age group.
Absolutely! Our online format allows students from all over the world to join our community, bringing diverse perspectives and fostering a global community experience.
Our online school offers the same rigorous curriculum as traditional schools but with added flexibility. Students benefit from personalised attention, self-paced support learning resource options, and a supportive, inclusive environment tailored to individual learning styles.
Enrolment & Admissions
Simply complete our online application form and submit the required documents. Our Admissions Team will guide you through the rest of the process, making enrolment as smooth as possible.
After completing the application, our team reviews each student’s background and learning needs. We will then make contact directly with you with our full referral form to ensure we capture all the information we can to ensure we can meet need. Please complete this as soon as possible and return it to us.
We may be able to offer flexible enrolment options, including rolling admissions, so students can start their learning journey at various points throughout the year.
Usually we will make a decision on whether we can meet need within 48 hours of the referral form being sent to us. Our admissions team will keep you updated on the application and where appropriate expected start dates. Once the fee has been agreed, the student may start with us.
As well as the full referral form it will be useful to have copies of any documentation relating to your child’s special needs, such as an EHCP, an Educational Psychologists report or other similar documents and any relevant educational assessments for special support needs.
Curriculum & Classes
We offer a range of subjects, including the core subjects of maths, science and English, but can also offer other subjects as required through our collaboration with other schools in the Cambridge Online Education Group, timetable allowing. These include, language, arts and social studies, as well as electives such as art, music, coding, and more.
Our curriculum aligns with national curriculum and GCSE standards, ensuring that students receive the same quality education as in traditional schools, with the added flexibility of online learning.
Lessons are held live in interactive virtual classrooms and typically are 40 minutes long, depending on the age group and subject.
All of our lessons are live and our sessions are recorded for flexibility where needed, and so students can review lessons whenever they need.
Our students have the option to complete some assignments at their own pace. Our academic subjects are live with live teacher support to ensure they stay on track.
Absolutely! We encourage teamwork and group projects, creating virtual breakout rooms for students to collaborate with classmates from around the world.
Teachers & Support
Our teachers are highly qualified, with many holding advanced degrees and specialised certifications. They bring years of experience in both traditional and online teaching environments.
Students interact with teachers through live classes, one-on-one virtual office hours, and our messaging system, ensuring they get the support they need.
Parents/carers receive regular progress reports and can access the parent/carer portal to monitor their child’s efforts, attendance, and assignment completion. This information can also be shared with other stakeholders and commissioning bodies as required.
Yes, teachers are accessible via email and our messaging system to answer questions and provide feedback outside of class hours. However some teachers may work part-time hours and there may be a delayed response. If you have an urgent need you can reach our supportive admin team.
Technology & Requirements
Students need a computer or tablet, reliable internet connection, headphones and mic, and as part of our standard package, they will get access to Office 365.
We use Teams for Education which is a secure, user-friendly online platform where students can access their lessons, assignments, and resources all in one place.
Yes, a stable, high-speed internet connection is recommended to ensure smooth video streaming and interaction during live classes.
Absolutely! Our Tech Support Team is available to assist with any technical issues you may encounter.
Yes, our platform is fully secure and compliant with industry standards to protect your child’s privacy and data.
Student Life & Extracurricular Activities
Yes, across our group of schools we offer a variety of extracurricular activities and clubs, such as art, coding, music, creative writing, environmental, and more. These clubs are designed to help students explore their interests, develop new skills, and connect with classmates outside of the academic setting.
Across our wider group of schools we also host virtual and live events, interactive discussions, and group projects and student councils to foster connections, ensuring students feel part of a supportive community. Students at Bridge Online School will have access to these activities if they choose to do so.
While physical sports are not offered online, we encourage students to participate in local sports teams, we encourage activity in our breaks. For arts and music, we offer online courses and clubs where students can develop these skills, participate in virtual showcases, and share their work with peers.
Assessment & Grading
Students are assessed through a combination of assignments, projects, quizzes, live engagement and some exam-style assessments. Our assessments are designed to evaluate not only knowledge but also critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration skills. Teachers provide ongoing feedback to support student progress. GCSE and other examinations can be taken at the students home school, or if this is not possible we have arrangements with various exam centres across the country to provide examination facilities.
We use a mix of traditional grading scales and formative assessments. Our focus is on progress and mastery of skills, so we provide feedback throughout the learning process rather than relying solely on final grades.
Parents receive regular progress reports and can view real-time updates through our parent portal. We also encourage regular check-ins with teachers to discuss student development and areas of growth.
Cost & Payment
All fees will be agreed in advance with our admissions team. For LA’s and Schools our ‘hot desk’ option is a cost effective way of spreading the cost of provision (see our fees page). Our admissions team can help with any questions you may have.
We offer a prorated refund for withdrawals made within a certain timeframe. Details about the refund policy are available in our enrollment agreement, and our team is happy to answer any questions.
Flexibility & Scheduling
Students will have live face to face lessons, and with all lessons recorded will be able to view these lessons at another time should they need to. In the timetable we will also build in a small amount of independent study time, allowing for breaks and self-paced work. Younger students may have shorter class times with frequent breaks, while older students have more structured schedules similar to traditional schools.
Absolutely! We offer flexible options, including recorded classes, self-paced assignments, and personalised assistance for students that need support when managing unique schedules, learning styles, or extracurricular commitments.
While live attendance is encouraged for maximum engagement, we offer recordings of each lesson, so students can review the material at their convenience if they miss a class. We ask parents to update us when they know their child will miss live sessions for our monitoring and safeguarding needs.
Parent Involvement
Parents play an essential role in supporting their child’s online education, especially for younger students. We encourage parents to help set a daily routine, monitor assignments, and communicate with teachers as needed and show encouragement and interest in their work. For older students, parents can stay informed through our parent portal. We do ask parents to allow their child to learn independently as they would at school.
Parents can create a comfortable, structured learning environment at home, encourage screen breaks during the scheduled regular breaks, and foster open communication between students and their teachers. Regular check-ins with their child about school progress also help reinforce accountability and motivation.
Yes, we provide a parent portal where parents can monitor grades, attendance, assignment status, and receive updates on their child’s progress. This allows parents to stay connected and informed.
Yes, we offer bookable parent-teacher meetings via video calls to discuss student progress, address concerns, and set goals. Parents can schedule these meetings if needed. Any general queries you may have please direct to your student success specialist.
Special Needs & Inclusivity
As an SEN school, we tailor our approach based on each student’s needs, meeting the requirements of a local authority EHCP plan or other needs such as medical needs. Our goal is to create an inclusive, supportive environment for all learners.
We offer individualised learning plans, specialised instruction and support, and regular check-ins with support staff. Our teachers are trained to provide some differentiated instruction to ensure all students succeed.
Yes, we provide access to student success specialists, academic support, and resources to help students manage any challenges they face, whether academic, social, or emotional.
We prioritise diversity and inclusion in every aspect of our program, from our curriculum to our staff training. We actively seek feedback to improve accessibility and create a welcoming environment for all backgrounds and abilities. We are unable currently to support students with very high special needs that may require a very specialist school setting but as we develop we will look to extend our support to more students.
Future Opportunities
Yes, students receive fully accredited exam certificates upon completing of their exams, which is recognised by colleges and universities globally. Our rigorous curriculum prepares students for the next steps in their educational journey.
We offer college/sixth form application support, career workshops, and wider interest courses to prepare students for higher education and future careers. Our Guidance Team supports students through every step of the college application process, we have a sixth form offering.
Other Policies
Regular attendance and active participation are encouraged, as they are vital for student success. We understand that flexibility is sometimes needed and offer recorded sessions for students who may need to miss a live class.
We have a zero-tolerance policy on bullying and cyberbullying. Our staff actively monitors for issues, and students are encouraged to report any incidents. We foster a culture of respect and inclusivity, with consequences for bullying behaviour.
Although issues are rare we address discipline issues promptly through open communication, involving students, parents, and teachers to resolve conflicts. Our goal is to maintain a positive, respectful learning environment where all students feel safe and supported.
