FAQs
Do you have a question about homeschooling with Wolsey Hall Oxford? We’ve provided the answers to our most commonly asked questions below – click the links above to jump to the section you’re most interested in.
What subjects can my child study with Wolsey Hall Oxford?
From Primary to A Level, we offer a wide range of courses that allow your child to pursue their academic interests whilst following an internationally respected curriculum. Head to our Courses page to explore the subjects we offer at each stage in your child’s education.
How many subjects should my child study, and are any compulsory?
It’s up to you how many courses your child studies with us and which subjects they choose – there’s no minimum or maximum number, or set subjects. However, we typically recommend:
- Lower Primary: minimum of 3 subjects
- Upper Primary or Lower Secondary: minimum of 5 subjects
- GCSE Level: minimum of 5 subjects, aiming for 8-11 to boost your prospects. For families looking for a more structured path, we also offer a ready-made GCSE Level course package aligned with a typical UK study programme.
- A Level: 3 subjects
If your child is studying with us full time, we’d typically suggest including English, Maths and Science to build a strong foundation across key subjects from Year 1 through to GCSE Level.
What qualifications will my child receive at the end of their course?
At Primary and Lower Secondary level, your child will receive an end-of-course report based on their chosen subjects. When they move up to GCSE and A Level, they’ll receive a certificate from the examination board (either Cambridge or Pearson Edexcel depending on the course) via their exam centre, which will show the grade they’ve achieved in that subject.
Can my child study from outside the UK?
Yes, absolutely! We have students in over 130 countries, and as long as you have a reliable internet connection your child will be able to study with us wherever you are in the world. Due to restrictions on access to our student learning platform, we’re unable to enrol students in North Korea or Iran at this time.
What happens when my child starts their course?
Here’s what to expect once you’ve enrolled:
- We’ll send you your child’s course textbooks – these typically arrive within three working days in the UK, and between five and seven days internationally.
- You’ll receive profiles of their course Tutors and dedicated Student Progress Manager, who will reach out to arrange welcome calls.
- Your Student Progress Manager will work with you to create a personalised, structured assignment schedule, based on the amount of time your child can commit to studying for each of their subjects.
Your child can access their courses via our online student learning platform within three days of enrolling, and they can start studying any time up to three months from their enrolment date.
Are there any live online lessons?
No – and that’s by design. We believe every child deserves an education that’s as unique as they are – which is why our students can choose what, where, when and how they study, with no live lessons, set timetables or crowded classrooms to hold them back. Instead, they’ll have access to an enriching variety of multimedia learning materials that they can work through at their own pace, helping them become independent, self-directed learners.
What assignments will my child have to complete?
Your child will complete regular assignments that will be marked by our experienced, UK-qualified Tutors, who provide expert feedback to aid your child’s understanding.
At GCSE Level and A Level, these assignments are designed to prepare your child for sitting their exams. Many are based on past papers, making them excellent practice for the types of questions they’ll need to answer for the real thing. These assignments don’t count towards your child’s final exam grade, but they are assessed, and our Tutors provide extensive feedback to help students achieve the best possible results.
What is your student learning platform like?
Our user-friendly online student learning platform contains your child’s courses, along with numerous resources to help them learn in a way that works best for them. It’s also where they can message their Tutors and get information about what’s going on in the Wolsey Hall Oxford community. As a parent, you’ll also have access to the platform with an Observer account, so that you can follow your child’s progress.
What computer equipment will my child need?
Your child will need a computer to access their course materials and message their Tutors, which they can do via our student learning platform. You’ll also need a reliable internet connection, but your child can download some materials so they can work offline if they need to. They’ll need a printer and a device for scanning completed assignments too – most of our students use a scanner or smartphone.
How many hours per day will my child have to study?
The number of study hours varies from course to course, and you can find the total recommended number of hours on each of our course pages. The number of study hours per day will depend on the number of subjects your child takes and how many months they’re taking it for. However, with no live lessons or set timetables, they’ll have complete flexibility over when and how many hours they study each day. For more guidance, take a look at our study hours calculator.
How long do courses take?
Our Primary and Lower Secondary students can enrol at any time of year, and typically complete each subject within 9 to 12 months of enrolling, but this does depend on their prior knowledge and how quickly they learn.
For GCSE Level, we recommend studying the full courses over 18-24 months (about two years). For AS and A Level, we recommended a study period of 9 to 12 months for AS courses and 18-24 months for full A Level courses. You’ll find more information on recommended study hours on each course page.
Can my child work more quickly through their courses?
If your child can handle a faster pace of study, it’s possible for them to complete our Primary and Lower Secondary courses in less than the average of 9 to 12 months (six months, for example).
For GCSE Level, we recommend that your child studies their full courses at the same time over the standard 18–24-month timeline, especially for core subjects like Maths and English Language. However, depending on their ability, it’s possible for them to study up to five GCSE Level courses in 9-12 months, or to split their exams over two years, taking four or five each year.
For A Levels, if your child is studying three or four subjects, we recommend taking 18-24 months to cover both AS and A Level content and exams. However, if they’re only studying one or two subjects, it may be possible to fast-track their studies to complete them in 9 to 12 months.
What is the deadline for applying?
There’s no deadline for applying for our Primary or Lower Secondary courses – your child can start studying at any time of the year. They’ll also be able to start GCSE and A Level courses whenever they’d prefer to, as long as they have enough time to study and complete the courses before their intended exam dates. Our admissions team can advise you on the most suitable exam dates based on when you would like your child to start their studies.
What happens if my child can’t complete the course in time?
If your child has been unable to complete a non-examined course (any of our Lower Primary, Upper Primary and Lower Secondary courses) within the 12-month course term, we can offer a three-month extension per course for an additional £100 fee. This decision is made at our discretion and is based on whether we think your child will be able to finish the course within the extra three months.
For GCSE, AS and A Level courses, you can extend by up to two exam sittings. Our extension fees for one course are £200 to extend to the next available sitting, and £400 to extend by up to two exam sittings (up to 12 months in total). For two or more courses, it’s £200 per course to extend by up to two exam sittings. We can provide a bespoke quote for any additional courses added after the initial bundle of extensions.
What year group should my child start in?
It’s important that your child is studying at the appropriate level for them, no matter their age or year group – whether they’re academically gifted, or need more time to catch up. That’s why you’re free to choose the study year and level that best matches their capabilities, even if that means studying at a higher level for some subjects than others. Our Admissions team can advise on the most appropriate starting point for your child.
Can my child change year group for a subject?
If your child is finding their year group too advanced or not challenging enough, they can change to a different year group for the same subject within three months of starting their studies. The expiry date of the new course will be the same as the old one, and there’s no fee for changes within 45 days of enrolling.
After 45 days, there is a £50 fee if your child has completed no more than one course assignment, and a £100 fee if they’ve submitted two or three assignments. If the course you’re moving them to has a higher fee, you’ll need to pay the difference along with an admin fee and the cost and postage of new textbooks if needed.
Can my child change subjects?
If your child is finding that they’re not enjoying a particular subject, they can change to a new subject at the same level free of charge within 45 days of starting their course, with the same expiry date as the old one. After 45 days, there is a £100 fee if they’ve not yet completed an assignment, and a £200 fee if they’ve submitted up to three assignments. If the course you’re moving them to has a higher fee, you’ll need to pay the difference along with an admin fee and the cost and postage of new textbooks if needed.
What kind of support will my child get from Wolsey Hall Oxford?
Our 3-tier system of support means your child will benefit from personalised advice and guidance throughout their studies with us. This support comes from three main sources:
- Tutors: your child will have a Tutor for each subject, who’ll assess and grade their assignments. You and your child will have an online ‘welcome call’ with their Tutors before starting each course, and you’ll both be able to message them any time via our online student learning platform.
- Student Progress Managers (SPM): Your dedicated Student Progress Manager is your key link with our school. Your SPM will monitor your child’s progress across all their courses, checking in with them regularly and ensuring they stay on track with their assignment schedule.
- Three-tier support: For students who need extra Learning and Wellbeing Support, our team of specialist Tutors can offer tailored 1:1 online sessions in all areas of SEND and wellbeing, from ADHD to anxiety and everything in between. You can access this optional additional service for an additional fee.
Who are your Tutors?
Our Tutors are experienced, UK-qualified teachers from diverse academic and professional backgrounds. They all share a love for their subjects and a passion for supporting students to achieve the best outcomes. Find out more about our Tutors here.
How often can my child contact their Tutors, and how often will they meet them?
Your child can contact their Tutors any time via our online student learning platform. Primary students can meet their Tutors after each assignment submission, whilst Lower Secondary students meet theirs at the start, middle and end of their courses. GCSE and A Level students have welcome and mid-course calls.
How much support will my child need from me?
Your involvement in your child’s education is vital, but the amount of involvement they will need from you varies according to their age. Our pupil-led approach encourages students to develop into independent learners, but your child will need your full support to guide their learning at Primary level, with this dependence gradually reducing as they progress through the learning levels. By A Level, your child should need minimal support from you (though we’d still encourage you to engage with their learning!) Ways you can help include:
- Encouragement: offer your child support and discuss any issues they may be having.
- Communication: encourage them to stay in regular contact their Tutors and SPM.
- Timetable: ensure they have a daily and weekly study timetable, and stick to it.
- Progress review: regularly review their progress relative to their study timetable and assignment schedule. You’ll have access to our student learning platform via an “Observer” account so that you can monitor how they’re getting on (younger Primary students have a single login that you can both use).
What happens if my child falls behind with their work?
If your child falls behind on their studies, contact your SPM as soon as possible to rearrange their assignment schedule. If you encounter any further issues, let your SPM know and they’ll work with you to find a suitable way forward.
Will my child have opportunities to socialise?
We understand how important it is for your child to socialise with other children their age, so our global online community gives them the chance to connect and interact with other homeschooled children around the world. They’ll also be able to join fun clubs where they can try out new hobbies or share their interests with other like-minded students, taking part in activities such as debating, cookery chess, and more.
Do Wolsey Hall Oxford students go on to study at university?
Absolutely! Our graduates have gone on to study all kinds of subjects at some of the world’s top universities. You can find out more about what our graduates have been up to here.
What if we need help using the learning platform?
Our courses are delivered through Canvas – a user-friendly online learning platform that brings together all your course materials, Tutor feedback, and messages in one place. If you or your child ever have trouble using the platform, Canvas Support is easy to access via the Help button inside the platform. The team typically responds within one working day, and can quickly help resolve any technical issues.
And of course, your Student Progress Manager is always just a message away for any practical questions or extra guidance as your child settles into their studies.
As a parent, you’ll also have access to your own Observer account, so you can track your child’s progress, view assignment feedback, and stay involved in their learning journey.
Who can access Learning Support at Wolsey Hall Oxford?
All of our students can access our Learning and Wellbeing Support services. If you’re not yet enrolled but you’d like more information on how it works, our Admissions team will be able to put you in contact with our Learning Support department.
How do I request Learning and Wellbeing Support for my child?
Once you’re enrolled, you’ll receive information on how to access our Tier 1 support. Your Student Progress Manager will be able to provide details of how to access our Tier 3 services.
Does Wolsey Hall have experience supporting children with additional needs?
Yes — our team has supported hundreds of students with a wide range of needs, including dyslexia, ADHD, autism, anxiety, and more, to help them thrive in their studies. You can read some of our Student Stories to see how we’ve supported students with additional needs to unleash their potential.
What types of Learning and Wellbeing Support are available?
We offer three tiers of support:
- Personalised study schedules and learning materials for all students, with expert Tutor feedback and an easy-to-use student learning platform.
- Advice and guidance from a dedicated Student Progress Manager.
- 1:1 sessions with a specialist Tutor on a range of topics including access arrangements, wellbeing and SEND needs (available as a paid service).
Do I need a diagnosis or written report to get support?
No, you don’t need a formal diagnosis to access our support. You can share as much or as little information with us as you feel comfortable with. We’ll always respect your privacy and only pass on information to necessary parties with your consent.
Can I tell Tutors about my child’s specific needs?
Yes — when you enrol, you’ll have the option to complete an Individual Learning Plan (ILP). This helps Tutors understand your child’s learning preferences and any support needs they have.
Can Wolsey Hall Oxford help with exam Access Arrangements?
Access Arrangements are handled by your chosen exam centre, but we can offer guidance and provide a letter explaining your child’s preferred study methods, which can support your application.
My child needs extra support — can we book 1:1 sessions?
Yes — our Tier 3 support includes 1:1 sessions with a specialist Tutor. These are available on a one-off or ongoing basis. Please note that these sessions incur an additional fee. Your SPM will be able to provide you with more information.
How much does Learning Support cost?
Tier 1 and Tier 2 support are included as part of your child’s course fees. Tier 3 services are charged separately depending on your child’s needs, and you can book either a one-off session or multiple sessions.
My child has an EHCP. How does that affect the support they can get?
We’re happy to support students with EHCPs through our Tier 3 services. However, please note that we can’t be named as the official ‘school setting’ in Section I of the EHCP, as we are a homeschooling provider. We would recommend speaking to your local authority to see if they can provide funding for support.
What if my child struggles with some of the learning resources?
Our multimedia learning materials are designed with different learning styles in mind. If something doesn’t work for your child, we can suggest adaptations that can be made at home to help them learn in the best way for them.
Can my child work at a slower pace due to their needs?
Yes — our courses are available to study over 12 months (Primary and Lower Secondary Level) or 24 months (GCSE and A Level), meaning your child can take breaks or take more time with their courses if they need it. You can also extend the course for up to 3 months for a small fee if needed.
Can my child study the course without having to take assignments or meet deadlines?
For Primary Level students, there’s an option to study the course content with minimal Tutor feedback. However, at Secondary Level, your child will need to submit regular assignments to test their understanding and progress — if this may be challenging for your child, we’ll work with you to find a solution. Your SPM will be able to provide more information about our dormancy policy.
Still have questions?
If you’re a current Wolsey Hall Oxford student, please speak to your Student Progress Manager. If you’re considering enrolling with us, our Learning Advisors and Admissions Team can offer advice and support.
How does my child enter for their exams?
You’ll need to apply to an exam centre for your child to take their GCSE and A Level exams as an external private candidate. Whilst you’ll need to arrange this yourself, our Exams Officers and your Student Progress Manager will be on hand to help and can offer advice if you’re unsure on what to do or which exam centre would be best. You’ll also find plenty of information on our student learning platform, which contains an Examination Information course that explains how to enter your child for their exams and offers advice on finding a suitable exam centre.
How do we find an exam centre?
We’ll give you a list of relevant exam centres in your region. In the UK, the Cambridge and Edexcel exam boards have centres throughout the country. Outside the UK, your child can usually sit their exams at a local British Council office or at an international school. Availability can vary, so we recommend contacting your chosen centre before your child enrols on their course.
What happens if we need to defer our GCSE or A Level exam dates?
Your child can defer their exam date within the course term for an additional admin fee, as long as the new exam sitting date is not more than two years (for GCSE or full A Level) or one year (for AS Level) from when they first started the course. In the first three months of their course, deferral is free of charge. After three months, it’s £50 per course for 1-3 courses, £40 per course for 4-6 courses, and £35 per course for 7 or more courses. Additional charges apply if a syllabus change means your child needs new textbooks or extra assignments.
Can I take exam resits with Wolsey Hall Oxford?
If you have not achieved the grades required in your GCSE or A Level exams, it is possible to use Wolsey Hall Oxford if you wish to resit. We only offer full courses and there are no part courses available which means you need to start studying from the first module. This is because schools can teach the curriculum in different orders and this approach ensures there are no gaps in learning. However, you would progress more quickly through modules which have previously been studied and as our courses are Tutor-supported and self-paced, they enable students who need to follow a non-traditional timeframe to succeed academically. Whilst this will mean revisiting some topics, we advise approaching this as revision and consolidation of prior learning.
How soon can I resit my exams?
Our admissions team are always able to advise on the most suitable exam targets which will depend on the number of subjects being taken and any prior study, with the same or different exam boards.
Fees
We are proud to offer competitive fees across all our courses at every learning level. For more information about what you’ll pay for each of your child’s chosen courses, please visit our Fees page. Please note that our Primary and Lower Secondary course fees cover one academic year of study, whilst our GCSE and A Level course fees cover two academic years of study.
Is it possible to access learning for a few weeks or months?
Our courses are not designed to be accessed temporarily. Courses and fees cover either up to 1 Year (Primary, Lower Secondary, AS or Year 2 A Level) or up to 2 years (GCSE Level or Full A Level) and therefore if you require access for a limited period of time, you would need to purchase the course in full. However, you would retain access for the full period, allowing your child to continue as additional or supplementary study if that is what is required.
Can we have a trial?
While we don’t offer trial sessions, you can explore free course samples for each subject at all levels from Primary to A Level, designed to give you a flavour of the Wolsey Hall Oxford approach to home study. These samples provide a taster of the first module from the full course and allow your child to explore our learning platform, Canvas and work through the first module and assignment. Please note that access to subscription materials is not available on sample courses.
Once enrolled, we offer a 45 day period in which you have the opportunity to change the level or subject (if your child is finding a level too hard or too easy or is not enjoying a subject). If you decide that a course is not right for your child, you can request cancellation in writing within 45 days of the course Access Date and we will refund what you have paid, minus an administration and processing fee. If cancelling a course affects your bundle deal, any refund will take into account the number of remaining courses, factoring in any money owed to Wolsey Hall Oxford if the bundle price is affected. Please see our course cancellation policy for full details.
Can my child study with Wolsey Hall Oxford alongside traditional school?
Yes – many families choose Wolsey Hall to complement their child’s existing education. Whether they’re attending school full-time, studying part-time, or following a flexi-education model, our courses are designed to fit flexibly around your family’s routine.
Your child might want to deepen their knowledge in a specific subject, access higher-level learning, or simply explore something new – all at their own pace, and without the pressure of fixed timetables or live lessons.
If you’re combining school and home learning – often known as flexischooling – you might find our Flexischooling page helpful. It explains how families can successfully balance both, and how Wolsey Hall Oxford can support that journey.
How can I calculate my child's course fees?
Our handy course fees calculator makes it quick and easy to find out what you'll pay for your child's chosen course bundle. You can also find more information here about what our course fees include, and how they work.
What are course bundles?
Course bundles are the specific combination of courses your child chooses to study with us. They can take as many courses as they want – it’s really up to you! We offer bundles of 1-3 courses, 4 courses, and 5+ courses, with greater discounts for larger bundles – so the more you study, the more you save. For GCSE Level students, we also offer a set GCSE study package aligned with the subject range typically studied in mainstream UK schools at this level. Learn more about course bundles here.
Do you offer different payment options?
We’re proud to offer our families more choice than any other school when it comes to shaping their child’s learning journey – and we provide just as much flexibility with our course fees too. You can pay your child’s course fees in full upfront, or if you need to, you can spread the cost with monthly instalments over six months. Find more information about our flexible payment options here.
A guide to the UK education system
A simple guide to the four main levels of the UK education system.
What’s your next step?
Our Learning Advisers are here to help and are happy to talk about how we can support your child to get the best start.
You can reach us by phone, email or live chat, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (UK time).
Learn more about Wolsey Hall Oxford and how we support families at every stage of the homeschooling journey.
Our live events take place regularly throughout the year. On-demand recordings are also available to watch at any time.
Joining our global community of homeschooling families is as simple as filling out our Admissions Enquiry Form. Alternatively if you're ready to enrol, you can start the process online today.
Visit our Admissions page to see how you can get started.
Admissions Enquiry Form
Have some questions before you're ready to enrol? Simply fill out our Admissions Enquiry Form and a member of our team will then be in touch to arrange a call to talk about your circumstances and needs in more detail.
Admissions enrolment
Ready to enrol right away? Click below to start your enrolment process online.