How Phoenix Community College supports homeschooling
At Phoenix Community College, we are dedicated to supporting home educating families and the wider homeschooling community. With a focus on high-quality teaching, personalised learning, and community, we work to provide an education that meets the needs of parents, guardians, and students.
To accommodate the preferences of homeschooling families in the UK, we do not notify your local authority when you join or leave Phoenix Community (effective from August 2021). Parents and guardians have the choice of whether to inform their local authority.
For families outside the UK, in countries with regulations around homeschooling, Phoenix Community College can provide a letter confirming this. Many parents and guardians have found these letters helpful to share with their country’s education body.
CHECK OUT OUR STATISTICS
- 97% of our pupils pass the 11plus, and enter Grammar Schools
- 100% of our pupils improve by at least 2 grades during our tuition periods
- 90% of pupils remain with us, through to Secondary stages, after 11+ and Primary entry with us
- All our lessons are live, and are Tutor-led, and we mark all homework tasks given.
- 100% of our students tell us that are more engaged, motivated, and confident having had our lessons.
- We achieve more than 75% passes in GCSE Grades 7, 8 & 9 in any one year
What is the difference between homeschool and online school?
Homeschooling traditionally puts the onerous of teaching a full curriculum on the parents/guardians and is separate to a school or school environment.
Online schooling works more like a physical school where students are taught by subject expert teachers in live interactive lessons and are part of a school community of peers.
How online homeschooling works
With online homeschooling at Phoenix Community College, your child gets specialist teachers and high-quality learning — all with the flexibility, attention, and personalisation of home education.
Select our full online curriculum for a complete home learning experience or our three-subject package for partial homeschooling support. Whichever option you choose, you’ll enjoy the full benefit of our live and recorded classes, innovative learning model, and welcoming student community.
If you need help deciding which package is right for your family, get in touch with our admissions team.
Full Online Curriculum
With full-time online homeschooling, families experience all the benefits of learning at home with the expert support of qualified teachers.
- Full-time schooling, delivered online
- Flexible learning that revolves around your family’s life
- Join at any time throughout the school year
3 Subject Package
Choose our three-subject homeschooling package for partial, specialised support with your home education journey.
- Any three subjects of your choice for any age group
- Expert teachers for specialist subject support
- Access to our online community, co-curricular and pastoral
Why do people choose home schooling?
There are many great reasons why parents choose homeschooling for their children, and whatever that reason is, We at Phoenix are here to provide education to respond to those needs.
Academic Excellence
Some families homeschool because they want greater managerial input into their child’s education. At Phoenix, our courses are academically rigorous and are designed to bring out academic excellence in students, whatever stage of learning children are at. Depending on their ability, some children may be at a higher or lower level than their age, and will be able to progress through the levels, with our support, at a pace to suit them.
At the same time, our courses are designed to be enjoyable, whilst helping children to achieve their full academic potential. Our team of fully qualified tutors offer detailed feedback on work set, and each child has the help of Tutors and a Personal Studies Manager (PSM), who supports the child and helps him/her to stay on track with their studies.
Extra Education
Phoenix courses are a great way to supplement your child’s traditional school learning. Many parents opt for this because they may have a “gifted” child or one who needs help navigating subjects in greater depth; or exploring themes so they have a greater understanding, as they undertake the extra tuition to stretch them academically. The fact is, some children are able to work at a higher level than their age group, and may have the ability to progress at a more advanced level academically.
Once we have assessed the student on entry, this will determine the level of study they begin from, so they are not tied to their age group criteria. It means that there is a chance of taking an exam at an earlier age. Our team of fully qualified Tutors offer detailed feedback on work set, and each child has the help of Tutors and a Personal Studies Manager (PSM), who supports the child and helps him/her to stay on track with their studies.
Dyslexia
Success at a suitable pace
In the traditional school environment the “one-size-fits-all” approach can be a nightmare for a dyslexic child. At Phoenix, we work with your child at a suitable pace and help parents with ways that they can help unlock their child’s full potential. In a more comfortable or relaxed environment, learning new concepts without pressure can be achieved, with the help of our supportive Tutors.
We help to unlock potential, by prioritising the child’s needs as they progress; making it less challenging for parents who undertake homeschooling of their dyslexic child. Our team of fully qualified Tutors offer detailed feedback on work set, and each child has the help of Tutors and a Personal Studies Manager (PSM), who supports the child and helps him/her to stay on track with their studies.
Talented Sports Trainees
Many children, who are exceptionally talented in sports and compete at a very high level, often find they are challenged by their need to travel to sporting events, which take them away from their academic timetables.
Striking the right balance
This is where homeschooling with Phoenix comes in handy. Whether you are an elite in tennis, football, golf, swimming, or running; at Phoenix, we help with homeschooling your athlete, so they don’t fall behind in their studies. Our team of fully qualified Tutors offer detailed feedback on work set, and each child has the help of Tutors and a Personal Studies Manager (PSM) who supports the child and helps him/her to stay on track with their studies.
Artists & Performers
If you are homeschooling a talented actor, musician, dancer, pianist or other special performer, you will be aware of the challenges that rehearsal commitments, performance, and travelling can present, in wanting your child to excel in their artistic passion, as well as their educational aspirations.
Teamwork
At Phoenix we can support your homeschooling artists with our structured, flexible curriculum, and ongoing support from their Tutors and Personal Studies Manager (PSM), who supports the child and helps him/her to stay on track, so that they don’t fall behind in their studies. We help students plan their own pace for learning, with a bespoke timetable, built around rehearsal, performances and travelling, so that with a balanced approach, they can fulfil their passions and achieve their ambitions.
Gifted Children
Maximising potential in your child
Homeschooling your gifted child with Phoenix means they can study at a level that is suitable for them. This means that your child is not forced to study at a level that is aimed at their age group only. We believe in unlocking the full potential of a child, so if they have the level and knowledge to work at a more advanced level, they can do so.
At Phoenix, we assess each student when they join us to ensure they are studying at a level that’s suitable for them. Additionally, our team of fully qualified Tutors offer detailed feedback on work set, and each child has the help of Tutors and a Personal Studies Manager (PSM), who supports the child and helps him/her to stay on track with their studies.
Parents of gifted children can access support and opportunities from a UK charity which provides support to families and gifted children.
Working at the right pace
A benefit of homeschooling a gifted child, is that as a parent will be able to encourage their interests and have the time to explore more deeply the topics that interest them. It also means having time to research those burning questions that mainstream school teachers don’t always have the time or knowledge to answer.
Better still, is the fact that your child won’t have to wait for other students in class to complete exercises, or depend on teachers who insist that they must wait and work at the level of the rest of the class.
Definitions of gifted children
NAGC (National Association of Gifted Children) definition:
Students with gifts and talents perform—or have the capability to perform—at higher levels compared to others of the same age, experience, and environment in one or more domains. They require modification(s) to their educational experience(s) to learn and realize their potential. Student with gifts and talents:
- Come from all racial, ethnic, and cultural populations, as well as all economic strata.
- Require sufficient access to appropriate learning opportunities to realize their potential.
- Can have learning and processing disorders that require specialized intervention and accommodation.
- Need support and guidance to develop socially and emotionally as well as in their areas of talent.
Source: NAGC website
MENSA UK states that:
A gifted child may display some or many of these behaviours:
- An unusual memory
- Passing intellectual milestones early
- Reading early
- Unusual hobbies or interests or an in-depth knowledge of certain subjects
- Intolerance of other children
- An awareness of world events
- Set themselves impossibly high standards
- May be a high achiever
- Prefers to spend time with adults or in solitary pursuits
- Loves to talk
- Asks questions all the time
- Learns easily
- Developed sense of humour
- Musical
- Likes to be in control
- Makes up additional rules for games
- Extrovert/introvert
Source: Mensa website
Working at your own pace
One of the many benefits of homeschooling is the flexibility that it offers parents. You can choose where and when your child’s learning takes place. Students can study at a pace to suit them, with as much time as required with our recorded lessons in order to understand concepts, or advancing at a greater pace in areas they find easier to understand. A homeschooled education means students can participate in many other things without compromising on their studies. Whether it be whilst performing, athletic training, or artistic commitments, a homeschool child has no set lessons to attend, it is entirely up to parents. At Phoenix we work alongside your commitments and available times, so if it’s studying at different levels for different subjects, or taking an exam earlier, if necessary.
The Travelling Community
At Phoenix we are able to help travelling families who are homeschooling their children as they move from place to place; (whether as a lifestyle or for work). This means our homeschooling support can help with the continuity of education, when this is not possible with mainstream schooling.
Locating Exam Centres
At Phoenix we can assist you also with finding a local Exam centre wherever in the world your travels take you, so that you can plan ahead for the exam period. Homeschooling whilst travelling gives you that flexibility and confidence that your child can continue with their education wherever you are.
Expatriate Families
Access Homeschooling Whilst Living Abroad
For family who need to travel or relocate abroad frequently, this can create challenges and cause disruptions to your child’s education.
At Phoenix, our homeschooling courses are a viable option to frequent breaks in your child’s educational journey, especially if there are no suitable international schools for you.
Phoenix homeschooling whilst abroad can be a great option, and a means of minimising disruption to your child’s educational journey.
School Phobias and Social Anxiety
Many parents make the decision to take their children out of mainstream education because of social anxiety or school phobia. This may be due to a number of issues, including negative experiences at school or the pressure and stress from our modern ways of living.
For example, the reality of social media can be seen as both a blessing and a curse, so that whilst it’s a means of communicating among friendship groups, it can, simultaneously, be a source of “cyber-bulling,” victimisation, and “virtual persecution,” generated by our “selfie culture.”
At Phoenix, we provide learning support services, led by our Learning Support Manager, which includes Mentoring and Special Educational Needs support, to help to overcome such negative issues faced by your child. The flexibility of Phoenix’s approach means students can work at their own pace, without feeling overwhelmed. At the same time we can adjust work schedules until a student feels he can cope with the work.
Bullying
Unfortunately, many children become victims of bullying in their mainstream school, and parents resort to homeschooling them because of bullying. It is soul-destroying and damaging to a child’s self-esteem and confidence, creating an overall effect of a damaged psyche – impacting considerably, on the mental/social/emotional/physical wellbeing of that child.
Phoenix homeschooling support provides a viable option for such students, without the constant pressure and stress of having to deal with the frequent bullying, and the potential risks and dangers that can result from this. At Phoenix, we provide learning support services, led by our Learning Support Manager, which includes Mentoring and Special Educational Needs support, to help to overcome the impact of such negative issues faced by your child.
Illnesses & Missed Lessons
Missing school due to long periods of illnesses create real gaps in learning that may lead to stress and anxiety. This situation, can impact a student’s wellbeing and sense of self, as well as his academic performance. It is not limited to one place, but is a global reality that adds challenges to the already stressed child. Having to attend doctors’ appointments, make hospital visits, miss social relationships, missed lessons and worry about their future academic performance, can have a detrimental effect on a child.
At Phoenix, we can offer a viable education provision, whilst the child is away from their mainstream school, suffering from long-term or chronic illnesses. Our flexibility means that a student can start at any time during the year, with flexibility of study times – for example, when the student feels able to.
Our team of fully qualified Tutors offer detailed feedback on work set, and each child has the help of Tutors and a Personal Studies Manager (PSM), who supports the child and helps him/her to stay on track with their studies. Additionally, our range of Student Life activities, allow students to engage with other pupils, share interests and hobbies and join clubs, to minimise feelings of isolation.
FAQS - HOMESCHOOLING
Can you homeschool your child online?
Online educators can provide homeschool support to families in search of high-quality teaching and resources for GCSEs, and a variety of Secondary subjects. Whether you’re looking for help with complex subjects or you need a better way to balance working from home and homeschooling, online education is a great way to supplement your homeschool program.
Homeschooling your child online couldn’t be simpler with the support of Phoenix Community College. Our experienced teachers lead live, online lessons, and all class recordings are available to rewatch 24/7. Interaction and socialisation are encouraged with teachers on hand to answer any questions pupils may have. Parents can check up on their child’s learning through our parent portal, and every pupil has access to a personal control panel with homeschooling resources, a library, clubs, and more.
While you can choose Phoenix Community College for full support in all subjects, you are also welcome to enrol your child in individual courses of your choice. With partial support, you can teach your own homeschool curriculum your way, resting assured that your child also has access to the UK curriculum with high-quality teaching.
How much does online homeschooling cost?
If you are looking to enrol your child in online learning for full-time or part-time home education, you can see our fees here to learn how much this will cost on an annual or per-term basis.
How do I enrol my child for online homeschooling?
Whether joining as a full-time student, or selecting the three subject package developed as online support for home educators, the process for enrolling your child for online homeschooling is simple. You can sign up for online homeschooling support at any time during the academic year, too.
Students can be joining lessons live within just three days. To join Phoenix Community College you’ll need to complete our online registration form and pay the £50 Registration Fee. You’ll then be able to enrol using our Enrolment Dashboard. Here, you’ll sign a contract, pay the initial fees and upload the required documents. This includes a copy of your child’s birth certificate or passport, plus your proof of address.
Is online homeschooling an effective way to learn?
Many families consider online homeschooling effective, as this encourages child-led learning. No two learners are the same, and there are more opportunities for your child to embrace their uniqueness and study at a pace that feels comfortable to them.
Not everyone studies effectively from 9am – 4pm. With online homeschooling, your child can catch up with lesson recordings and resources at a time that suits them. As long as you have an internet connection, they can study anywhere they want, too. So, there’s no need to stay at home if this doesn’t feel comfortable.
Online learning enables your child to focus for their entire lesson, without the noise and disruption that can sometimes be experienced in a traditional school. This means they can progress at their own pace, feel comfortable in their learning environment, and explore other interests with more energy.
You and your child will have access to qualified subject specialists, which means you don’t have to feel pressured into teaching complicated topics. If your child has a question, they can note this down to be covered during the next live lesson. This gives you the peace of mind that your child is receiving a comprehensive education and covering the most up-to-date syllabus on tricky subjects.
Advantages of homeschooling online
There are several advantages to online homeschooling, including improved flexibility, socialisation, engagement, and wellbeing.
Flexibility
You can choose when and where your child is going to study. If they’re more productive in the morning, they can work during this time. Or if they’re more productive in the afternoon and evening, they can catch up with lessons later.
Many of our students have commitments outside of education. With lessons and resources available at any time, your child can study during the hours that fit around their lifestyle.
Socialisation
Your child can interact with their teachers and other students, giving them access to academic and personal support. Working with other students, they can break into groups to solve problems and complete lesson activities. This helps them build relationships to take into activities outside of lessons.
At Phoenix Community College, we have plenty of online clubs and extra-curricular activities for your child to join. This gives them an opportunity to meet other students with similar interests. They can also attend regular in-person events throughout the year, so they can get to know their new friends face-to-face. Many families also arrange meet ups in their local areas through our parent communities.
Engagement
With fewer contact hours and no commute to school, it’s easier to focus on online lessons. You can supervise or sit in during your child’s lessons, providing support if needed. There’s also less risk of distraction from crowded and noisy classrooms.
Wellbeing
Feeling comfortable at home can help your child develop emotional intelligence, curiosity and creativity. And with online homeschooling, you can plan their learning around the other commitments in their life, meaning they don’t need to compromise one or the other.
Extra-curricular activities allow them to be part of a community. They can meet other students, connect over shared interests and develop new skills.
LEARNING SUPPORT SERVICES - FAQs
Q. Who is Learning Support for?
A. Learning Support is available for all students at Phoenix College. At different stages in your homeschooling journey, you may find that there are times when you have questions about the best way to study, how to improve academic progress or deal with exam stress. Learning Support can help with all of these.
Q. Supporting students with additional needs at Phoenix College
A. Our learning support team is experienced in supporting students with additional needs. We can provide this service for long or short-term interventions. We have experience with a range of needs and understand how those needs impact students’ learning experiences
Q. The learning support Phoenix College provides?
A. Phoenix College supports families through a range of services.
- Learning Support Consultations are available for general questions and guidance.
- Study Skills Support helps develop the practical skills students will need to manage their studies.
- Mentoring provides guidance and expertise on a range of topics, including wellbeing and stress management.
- Access Arrangements services can be used to support the application for concessions during exams.
Q. I want tutors to be made aware of my/my child’s needs. How can this be done?
A. We believe information should be shared as appropriate within our trusted team at Phoenix College, with a mind to protecting the dignity of the student. In order for us to be able to support our students as an education provider, we sometimes need to be able to share information internally. Information that you supply can form an Individual Learning Plan (ILP), which can then be shared with tutors. We would never share information beyond the trusted Phoenix College Team without your consent.
Q. Can you help me with access arrangements for my exam?
A. Access arrangements are organised between you and the exam centre. The advice is always to speak to them at the earliest convenience to explore what evidence you will need to provide. We can provide guidance around this as part of our access arrangements service.
Q. Who do I share my sensitive information about a learning need with?
A. To access learning support, you do not need to provide any written reports or diagnosis letters. It may not be necessary to pass anything in writing to a member of staff, so a verbal exchange could be all that is necessary. You have the right to share as much or as little as you’d like but it can be helpful to pass on key information to best help us support your studies. In the first instance, speak to your SPM and they can advise you on what to do next.
Q. How much does Learning Support cost?
A. Learning support fees vary by service and more information about the individual fees can be found on our website. Sessions can be bought in individual or block bookings through a dedicated booking link.
Q. What kind of support does Phoenix College offer for my child with an EHCP?
A. All students have access to the Learning Support department through our paid programmes, including those with EHCPs. The Local Authority will also give guidance on how to access services and if funding is required, we advise that you speak to one of their representatives. We support students with EHCPs at Phoenix College but do this in a supportive role, as we cannot be named as the school setting in SECTION I as we are a homeschooling provider.
Q. What if some of the materials in the course don’t work for me/my child? Will you change them?
A. Course materials are the same for all students and we include a multi-sensory diet of information to support many different learning styles. Sometimes these can be adapted at home, to meet the needs of the students, but this will not be done by Phoenix College staff. We can assist in this process through the Learning Support Consultation service, and we welcome conversations about this.
Q. How can I contact learning support?
A. Learning Support can be contacted at the email address: learningsupport@phoenixcommunitycollege.co.uk
OUR SAFEGUARDING ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Safeguarding at Phoenix Community College
Phoenix Community College recognises our legal and moral duty to promote the well-being of children, protect them from harm and respond to safeguarding concerns. Through their day-to-day contact with pupils and correspondence with families, the staff at the school have a role to play in noticing safeguarding concerns and working with parents and appropriate agencies.
Safeguarding Policy Statement
Phoenix Community College aims to assure the safe and secure education provision for all its pupils. Safeguarding the welfare of its pupils is part of our core business and all staff must be aware of their responsibilities in this regard.
The full Phoenix Community College Safeguarding policy is available to download.
School Policies
This page contains useful information about our school policies and procedures. Please click on the links below to download each policy. We operate a policy review cycle in school that means policies are constantly under audit and amended at frequent intervals. School Policies here