Non-Accredited Online Schools
Choosing the right online school for your child is an important decision, and understanding accreditation can help give you confidence in your choice. Self-study schools cannot apply for DfE accreditation, but for options including live lessons and teaching accreditation is available. The schools listed below are currently not accredited by the Department for Education (DfE).
This page will give you information about schools that are not accredited by the Department for Education.
If you are considering enrolling your child in an online school, we strongly recommend choosing a school that is accredited and has been inspected by Ofsted. Ofsted reviews important areas such as the quality of teaching, curriculum standards, safeguarding, student wellbeing, and school procedures. For parents, this offers reassurance that the school provides a high standard of education in a safe and supportive learning environment.
Online schools can differ significantly in how lessons are delivered. Common learning modules include:
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Live lessons: real-time interactive classes with qualified teachers, taught in groups of varying sizes.
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Flipped learning: a blend of independent study through pre-recorded lessons or videos, combined with live group sessions led by teachers.
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Fully self-led learning: students work through pre-made materials and recorded lessons independently, sometimes with tutor support. Please note that these schools cannot be accredited by the Department for Education (DfE).
Our guide is designed to help families compare different types of online schools so you can find the best fit for your child's learning style, needs, and future goals.
Please note that some of the schools below do hold registered Cambridge International Education (CIE) or Pearson approval, but are not accredited by the Department for Education, meaning they are not accredited online schools.
Eureka Homeschool
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Home Education
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Self-paced courses
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Edexcel & Cambridge IGCSEs & A-Levels
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Independent, home-based study
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Additional tutor support available
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Secondary - Sixth Form
Cambridge Home School Online
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Homeschooling
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Live Lessons
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Cambridge IGCSE & A-Level
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Small class sizes
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CIE approved
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Primary - Sixth Form
The Haven Academy
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Home Education
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Live lessons
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Medium class sizes
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Limited subjects
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SEND support
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Girls only
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Secondary School (ages 13 to 17)
The Online School
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Home Education
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Live lessons
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Summer school
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Edexcel IGCSEs
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Medium class sizes
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Secondary school
My Online Schooling
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Home Education
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Live lessons
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English National Curriculum
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Small class sizes
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Academic support
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Primary - Sixth Form
Net School UK
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Home Education
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Live lessons
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Edexcel & Cambridge IGCSEs & A-Levels
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Medium class sizes
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Primary - Sixth Form (aged 9 to 18)
Queens Online School
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UK Curriculum
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Small class sizes
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Live lessons
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IGCSE & A-Level
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Primary - Sixth Form
The Learning Circle
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Home Education
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Live lessons
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Medium class sizes
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Edexcel & Cambridge IGCSEs & A-Levels
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Mixed age classes
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Limited subjects
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Primary - Secondary (ages 7 to 16)
Thomas Keith Independent School
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Home Education
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English National Curriculum
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Live lessons
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Recorded lessons
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Small class sizes
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Primary - Sixth Form
British Online School
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Home Education
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Live lessons
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Small class sizes
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Extracurricular activities
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SEND support
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CIE approved
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Primary - Secondary School
Elea High Online School
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UK Curriculum
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Small class sizes
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Live lessons
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IGCSE & A-Level
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Secondary - Sixth Form
Wendover Online School
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UK Curriculum
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Small class sizes
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Live lessons
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IGCSE & A-Level
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Secondary - Sixth Form
Wolsey Hall Oxford
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No live lessons
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Adult learning
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Student tutor support
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Learning platform
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Self-study
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CIE approved
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Primary - Sixth Form
UK Virtual School
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Home Education
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Live lessons
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Recorded lessons
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Small class sizes
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Academic journals
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Primary - Secondary School
Oxford Homeschooling
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No live lessons
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Additional tutor support available
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Self-study, independent learning
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Limited subjects
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IGCSE, GCSE, and A-Levels
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Secondary - Sixth Form
Looking for accredited schools?
Accreditation plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and credibility of online schools, especially for home-educating families who rely on trusted educational resources. When a school is accredited, it means it has been independently evaluated and meets established academic standards, giving parents confidence that their child is receiving a legitimate and well-rounded education. Additionally, accredited schools are typically held accountable for continuous improvement, which helps maintain high teaching standards and up-to-date curricula. For home-educating parents, choosing an accredited online school provides reassurance and a clear pathway for your child's academic progression. For a list of reviews for accredited online schools, or to see a full collection of all our reviews, please use the buttons below.