Crimson Global Academy, the UK’s leading online private school, was invited to join an important conversation in UK media recently about the shift towards online education, as the country marks five years since the start of Covid-19 outbreak.

CGA parents Gina Todd and David Todd were interviewed in The Times about their experience finding an inclusive school culture at CGA, CGA CEO Penelope Barton featured on Radio Broadstairs and Talking Life Network, and UK-based Psychology teacher Beth Haresnape spoke to Greatest Hits Radio - Cornwall, and BBC Radio Berkshire.

The Shift Towards Alternative Learning Pathways

On 23rd March 2020, schools across the UK closed their doors as the country entered lockdown. What started as a temporary measure became a turning point for education, accelerating a shift towards alternative learning pathways, including elective home education (EHE) and online schooling.

Since then, the landscape of UK education has changed dramatically. Today, 111,700 children are learning online for the 2024/25 academic year, reflecting a 21% year-on-year increase (The Times).

At the same time, the number of children missing from education (CME) has risen 28% year-on-year (Tes.com), as schools continue to struggle with rising behavioural issues and a lack of adequate support for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The UK's support for special needs students is effectively a postcode lottery, with reform desperately needed (Sky News) Experts are calling for continued evolution in the sector - promoting accessibility, inclusivity, and adaptability.

With these challenges in mind, families across the UK are seeking high-quality, flexible alternatives—and many are finding success at CGA, the UK’s leading global online private school.

Why UK Families Are Choosing Online Schooling

For many parents, their mainstream school is not meeting their child’s needs. Issues such as large class sizes, lack of personalised attention, classroom disruptions, and limited academic flexibility have left students disengaged.

UK-based Gina and David Todd, parents of CGA students Harrison, Zadie, and Sullivan, shared their personal experience in a recent interview in The Times.

We had a great experience with primary school, but as the kids moved on to high school, this changed. Harrison became very unhappy with most aspects of school life. In addition to physical and verbal bullying, he found that the learning environment was less than ideal. He had 30+ students in each class, gaming and phone use by his peers was common during lesson time, and he felt his teachers weren’t able to control students.

Like many ambitious students, Harrison enjoyed learning but found that the traditional school setting hindered his academic progress. That’s when Gina and her family discovered Crimson Global Academy.

Without any other local option that seemed like a fit, we decided to try online schooling at CGA, having heard about the school through social media. Harrison really thrived, so when we moved back to the UK in 2024, there was no question he would stay.

Gina’s younger children, Zadie and Sullivan, initially attended local schools in London but struggled to settle in. They soon followed Harrison to CGA, where they finally found a learning environment that allowed them to thrive.

The change in all of them has been very positive. They all enjoy learning so much more at CGA!

CGA’s Greenwich Pastoral Dean and psychology teacher Mrs Beth Haresnape, based in Cornwall, UK, has witnessed this shift towards online education first-hand and how its positively impacting UK students:

Having taught in leading UK curriculum schools across the international, private, and state sectors, I’ve seen firsthand how online education is transforming opportunities for students. As both an educator and a parent, I understand the growing demand for flexibility, small class sizes, and a globally recognised curriculum that online learning like CGA offers.

How Does CGA Create an Inclusive School Culture?

At Crimson Global Academy we pride ourselves on being a diverse and inclusive community for our students and families.

An inclusive school culture is an educational environment where all students, regardless of their background, abilities, or differences, feel valued, respected, and supported.

Deputy Principal, Ronan Kearney, explains:

Our aim is to ensure that all children feel safe, are happy, and can learn in a way that suits them best. We value each individual and recognise their individuality, celebrating their strengths and achievements, whilst helping them to embrace personal challenges.

At CGA some of the ways we promote inclusivity are:

• Dedicated Form Time - teaching students life skills but also how to respect each other and those with differences
• Understanding different values and contributions
• Support and action for any issues students experience
• Student leadership - meet our new student leadership
• Student communication spaces (Microsoft Teams)
• Assembly - sharing successes and student-led themes around inclusivity
• Student-led clubs - e.g. ‘Neurodiversity Allies’
• Thriving Thursday sessions - faculty and students share tips and advice on how to thrive academically and personally

What are the Benefits of Online School for Special Needs Students?

As one of the UK’s best online schools for special needs students, and those who have medical needs, and/or are gifted and talented, we’re committed to providing the best possible education for all our students.

Supporting students with SEND is a collaborative effort that involves educators, parents, guardians, and the students themselves. It is through this partnership that we create a learning environment that is not only inclusive, but also empowering.

The advantages of online learning for special needs students are:

• Less distractions than physical school – online learning environments minimise the common social pressures and disruptions of traditional classrooms, allowing students to focus more on their studies without external distractions.
• More focused and faster pace of work – without unnecessary downtime, students can move through lessons more efficiently, completing coursework at a pace that aligns with their abilities and ambitions.
• Smaller classes – with fewer students per class, teachers can provide more individual attention, fostering a supportive and engaging learning experience tailored to each student’s needs.
• Teachers know their students and work with Form Tutors, Deans, SENCo, and families to support – a close-knit support system ensures that every student receives personalised academic and pastoral care, addressing their unique learning styles and any additional needs.
• More personalised learning – lessons can be adapted to individual strengths, challenges, and interests, ensuring that students receive the right level of challenge and support to help them excel.
• Curriculum matching to ability, not age – students can study subjects at the level best suited to their skills and progress, rather than being restricted by traditional age-based grade levels, fostering both confidence and academic growth.
• Strong communication – regular check-ins, progress tracking, and open dialogue between students, teachers, and families create a transparent and supportive educational journey.
• Inclusive and active student community – virtual classrooms and extracurricular activities foster a diverse, welcoming global community where students feel valued, connected, and encouraged to participate.

Learn more about our specific provisions for SEND students.

The Future of Education: Flexibility, Personalisation, and Excellence

The rise of online schooling in the UK reflects a broader movement towards personalised, high-quality education that caters to students’ individual needs. At Crimson Global Academy, students:

✅ Learn in small, live online classes led by expert teachers
✅ Study International GCSEs, A-Levels, US Diploma , and Advanced Placement (AP) courses
✅ Have the flexibility to accelerate their studies or balance academics with other passions
✅ Join a global community of like-minded, ambitious students

As more families explore alternative education pathways, it’s clear that the traditional one-size-fits-all model no longer works for every student. The UK’s SEN system remains a postcode lottery, and with ongoing gaps in mainstream education, parents are taking matters into their own hands.

Five years on from the pandemic, one thing is clear: the future of education is changing. And for families like Gina’s, the move to online learning has made all the difference.

If your child is seeking an education that is flexible, academically rigorous, and globally recognised, it’s time to explore Crimson Global Academy.