We wanted the impossible: a high school which is small sized,
personal, and a lot more.
We wanted good, classical education without endless tests or gimmicky theories, but with lots of fun.
We wanted experienced exam support for those that need it, but no exam pressure for those that don’t.
We needed solidly sensible and sympathetic treatment about bullying and other sensitivities.
We loved the idea of life without the horrors of the “school run”; in fact school available wherever we happen to be, UK or anywhere.
We need teachers who are respectful about families’ philosophies of life, willing to work with parents as education partners.


We are a small group of teachers and home educators founding a pioneering school - online, for older children, 10-18 yrs.
Because the project is small, and aimed at solvency rather than high profit, classes can be restricted to only 15 students.
We are all experienced online educators, registering as a
cooperative. CRB and DP registration pending.

The kinds of interested families who are now contacting us are:

--- parents of a young person sensitised by bullying or other
difficult experiences
--- parents relocating, either abroad or in the UK; expat families
--- parents of a young person with health problems either physical or otherwise
–- parents of a socially sensitive student
--- families with strong social or religious principles
--- parents of young people who love IT, computers and the net
--- parents of a young person who is either a slower paced learner or a high achiever/ advanced learner

Education needs to be individual to each child or young person. Every
student at First College has a Personal Teacher for immediate support
and advice, and continuity as they change classes. New students go
through a careful orientation period while family and school get to
know each other.

Live learning sessions (classes) are for about 2-3 hours a day, plus a
7 days a week learning community through discussion boards, private
messaging, online library, homework system etc.
Students who want to, can work intensively for (Edexcel) IGSCE exams.
Otherwise students continue in our Creativity Centre classes.
Over the summer we offer short Summer Courses, and small family based
Camps. A program of Evening classes for the whole family is in the
planning stage.

The school is very much a family learning community. Parents are
invited to act as education partners, but this is not pressured or
required so parents can choose how involved they want to be in the
working of the school, according to their individual lifestyles.
Parents have their own set of discussion boards and chatspace to talk
to each other, or to the teachers.

This is a great project - started because we wanted someone to provide
it for us and our children!

DEMO:
www.firstcollege.co.uk/interact
Main Classroom: www.blendmeet.co.uk/launchshan.htm
[password for main classroom = ONLINE]