Overview
Homeschooling for children with school phobia or anxiety
Understanding school-related anxiety
Does your child frequently complain of a sore stomach or headache before school? Do they experience intense anxiety, panic attacks, or emotional distress at the thought of attending? Are they becoming increasingly withdrawn or regularly refusing to go in? These may be signs of school phobia – a growing concern affecting children across all age groups.
A calmer, more supportive way to learn
At Wolsey Hall Oxford, we understand that the pressures of traditional school can feel overwhelming for some students. Large class sizes, rigid timetables, high academic expectations and constant testing can create a stressful environment, whilst social challenges such as bullying or online comparison culture can further impact a child’s wellbeing.
Homeschooling can offer a more supportive, personalised alternative. Our flexible, structured courses allow students to study at home in a familiar setting, free from school-related triggers. With no live lessons or fixed schedules, your child can learn at their own pace and in their own way, using a range of multimedia resources tailored to their needs and learning style.
Personalised support for emotional and academic growth
We work closely with families to help students rebuild their confidence, re-engage with their education, and learn in a way that feels safe and manageable. With supportive feedback from experienced Tutors and ongoing guidance from a dedicated Student Progress Manager, your child can continue learning whilst focusing on their emotional wellbeing – one step at a time.
Meet some Wolsey Hall Oxford students
Benefits of Wolsey Hall Oxford for students with school phobia
Meet Wolsey Hall Oxford parent, Fiona
Personalised homeschooling
Homeschooling for...
No matter your journey, we're here to help you thrive
Trustpilot Reviews
Reviews from all our families
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Only good experiences
The course materials were great and the tutors were very helpful, who were always available when my child needed support. We had a great experience especially with our student manager. She was very attentive and supportive. She understood our situation well (traveling etc) and gave us the necessary advices promptly. When we needed a specific document urgently, they attended to our request immediately and handled it professionally. Thanks to all, we had a good homeschooling experience. Highly recommended.
Mitzi, December 7
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Wolsey Hall is a great homeschooling Institution.
Wolsey Hall is a great homeschooling institution. The course work is well laid out and the tutors and student manager are very helpful and understanding as we we move between countries a lot they have personalised schedules which are fantastic for our lifestyle. The school app is easy to use. Payment options are available. Overall a great experience with Wolsey Hall. (This is our 4th year with them.)
nmackenzie jonck, November 25
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Great Educational Bridge
When moving from one country to another, one of the most challenging tasks was to ensure continuity in schooling for our 12-year-old daughter. Wolsey Hall provided the best solution at a reasonable cost. The enrolment process was smooth. We chose seven courses, before being introduced to their respective tutors. All of them were really friendly, helpful and encouraging. What impressed me most was the detailed feedback provided for each assignment. Student Progress Manager Daisy Datson, who was overseeing our daughter's performance, gave us regular updates and messages of support. We stopped online home schooling after completing our move from the Philippines to Scotland. Thanks to Wolsey Hall for helping with the move!
Brian, August 19
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A really positive learning experience
A great home learning experience for my son who was returning to a more structured education program after independent learning for a few years due to poor health. The tutors and support staff were all great at providing structure with the flexibility that we required. They were supportive and provided great feedback so that my son could further develop his skills and felt good about the progress he was making.
Lisa, August 5
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My daughter started at Wolsey Hall when…
My daughter started at Wolsey Hall when she was 12 and is now 19.We were living aboard and she had a very difficult time transitioning from primary to secondary.She developed school refusal/anxiety and we reluctantly contacted Wolsey Hall as all other options had failed us.Changed everything ensuring she got a first class education and on her way to university.We cant recommend them enough in giving a steady hand to children who for whatever reason do not fit well with main stream education
Fiona Bonas, June 28
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Wolsey Hall was a school that really…
Wolsey Hall was a school that really enabled I to build up my numerous skills that made I into a well independent thinker, and Wolsey Hall not only helped I study independently with no hassle unlike a school, but I really enjoyed the flexibility in doing things of my own in my spare time like prep and study plus outdoor activities like going for hour strolls to erase stress from my head.
Zayed Hasan, June 21
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Elective Home Educating with Wolsey Hall Oxford
We have been elective home educating since November 2023 and the change in our daughter’s mental health has been amazing. We chose WH for online learning (year 7) and do not regret that decision at all. We have found the structure of the lessons; a mixture of textbook and interactive learning together with the assignment schedule is just what our daughter needs. Laura Hobley, our Student Progress Manager is extremely helpful with answering any queries we have and regularly gets in touch with our daughter to support her studies. All of the tutors have been extremely friendly and helpful and our daughter has found their feedback very encouraging and adds validation to her studies. We are very happy with our move to elective home education and are very thankful to WH for supporting us on this journey.
Michelle Misiak, April 15, 2024
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Excellent well established online school
When we were looking for a UK government approved home school for our daughter aged 15 Wolsey Hall oxford stood out to us from the start being one of the most experienced online home schools it made it a reassuring logical choice when our daughter changed from attending a physical school at the start of year 10. From our initial information zoom call we were really impressed with the online learning platform canvas and the range of GCSEs and the whole ethos and set up of the online school seemed quite straightforward and easy to use, when we signed up for our daughters GCSEs courses each subject course book arrived with us so fast then we all had some time to navigate and get used to canvas the online learning platform our daughter picked it up fast next we all met with her assigned student support manager Erica who has been a wonderful support to our daughter and to us too we all can contact Erica and she keeps in regular contact with our daughter having a super friendly point of contact like Erica with whom we can communicate with so easily has been so helpful in our home schooling journey she helps my daughter with extensions for assignments if she is struggling and she really encourages our daughter with positive and constructive feedback which really helps her mindset. The subject tutors are easy to reach if you have any questions you just feel less alone with Wolsey hall my daughter has become such an independent learner and is now so organised and is learning that reaching out for help is something she can now do without feeling so worried or anxious as Erica and all the tutors have been so kind and reassuring to her she wants to do her best and a huge weight has been lifted off her shoulders since she started at Wolsey hall oxford our daughter is so much happier and is far less anxious I'm so grateful to Wolsey hall for all the help and support they constantly provide my daughter is actually now looking forward to subjects she once disliked at school and is enjoying her Igcses and different subject challenges and it is so very wonderful to see her passionate and so engaged in her learning again thank you wolsey hall for making this transition to online learning so straightforward for us all
Sofie Perry, March 22, 2024
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Our experience at Wosley hall
Our experience at Wosley hall, my daughter and I , was a good one. Our family had been travelling between countries, and this was beginning to have a negative impact on our daughter ‘s education. My sister referred me to Wosley hall. She happens to have her two boys also currently studying there. My daughter took a bit of time to settle in as she was unfamiliar to it and not quite accustomed to Homeschooling. Our SPM and the teachers were wonderful. They took time to get us through the first sticky months and were always willing to share useful information and explain any grey areas. Thank you Wosley Hall team. I believe you are making a difference in the world !!!
Leah Arabel, January 30, 2024
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I am very happy I chose Wolsey Hall for…
I am very happy I chose Wolsey Hall for my daughter's IGCSE's. I had to remove her from school due to not getting the support she needed for her dyslexia. With Wolsey Hall, the courses are taken step by step, we had full support from their SENCO, who we met online on numerous occassions and who offered very helpful advice. We were assigned a Student Progress Manager right from the start, who we were able to email and get assistance from all the way through, and who offered online meetings whenever we needed them. We also met with all of my daughters tutors, who offered excellent support and guidance throughout.
Melinda Heasman, May 23, 2023
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Best homeschooling experience.
Best homeschooling experience. I can honestly say it it the best decision we've made for our daughter. So good that my son wants to start year 7 with Wolsey Hall next September. My daughter is going through the process of being diagnosed with autism, primary school is just too much for her. We will be starting year 4 English and Maths in September.... We had been at wolsey hall for 2 years so far as love every lesson. Dani our process manager is amazing. Thank you so much.
Angie Littlewood, April 25, 2023
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We are absolutely thrilled with our…
We are absolutely thrilled with our daughter's O level results! Wolsey Hall has allowed our daughter to follow her Equestrian passion, the tutors have been very supportive, encouraging and always respond with quick and detailed feedback on assignments. We look forward to the next two years, thank you Wolsey Hall!!
Jo Cocker, January 19, 2023
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We have used Wolsey Hall for over 5…
We have used Wolsey Hall for over 5 years now. It’s been invaluable in our home education learning journey. 2 kids, multiple subjects each. The tutors have always been extremely helpful and accessible, giving plentiful and constructive feedback on assignments. We have also found them to be extremely flexible. Our kids are both DME and we have had no trouble with them accessing subjects for different year groups depending on their interest and ability, in some of the subjects the kids are 3 or 4 years ahead of their age, this hasn’t been a problem at all with WH. We have also had great SEN support helping with applying for access arrangements at our chosen exam centre and for typing and extra time requirements in essay based subjects.
Emily, December 22, 2022
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The best online education available.
Though out my families learning journey, Wolsey hall has been amazing. The lesson plans are easy to follow, the standard of teaching guides are exceptional and assignment feedback is brilliant in helping the child develop and grow. The support and little learning tips offered from the teachers (Andrea Bettie) ( James Hazel) has been phenomenal, always being there for crazy questions. The learning support (Deja) was always kind and patient with my son with Dyslexia. The student progress manager (Cathe Heron) was always understanding and reassuring when sickness, family emergency's occurred so the program had to be moved slightly. We loved her little birthday messages, it made us all feel connected and cared for. It really has been a flexible, fun, way to learn and I know that my kids are confident, happy, global students.
Claire, July 6, 2022
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Excellent Home School Program
We Love Wolsey Hall's Excellent Flexible Learning Program, for a number of reasons, including our recent decision to move overseas to another country. Due to being bullied by students and a few teachers, our son was having more downs than ups in traditional schooling. His grades dropped as well as his self confidence. As I was a Head Teacher in a traditional school, removing him from his former school was not an initial plan for us; however, looking back now, we know that the very best decision had been made for him! We tried other homeschool programs but their programs were either too rigid or they did not allow freedom of religion. They were quite expensive and yet by comparison, did not offer the in-depth knowledge or well put together learning program that Wolsey Hall offers! Every family who makes the decision to register their child onto Wolsey Hall's excellent flexible learning program will have peace of mind throughout their studies! Their staff team gives you a feel of security and trust! They are ready to assist with your child's educational needs as well as parent queries, where and when they can via phone, email or video chat! 'Wolsey' even has a safe online students club where your child can meet other like minded peers, play games, enter competitions, craft, etc.! Wolsey Hall's Excellent Flexible learning program really is everything they claim to be!
D. Adair, June 23, 2022
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Wolsey Hall Oxford, the best home school provider
Since the emergence of Covid in 2020, my husband and I, started considering an alternative way of schooling for our 2 children. High quality education, a British international curriculum and a Cambridge accredited home school provider, enabling our children to study any place in the world, were our main aims. I must admit Wolsey Hall Oxford accomplished so much more than those initial aims! Our children thrive in this environment where lesson content is always interesting and interactive. Our son is Twice Exceptional (2E) and the learning support center under management of Deja Pygott, made the necessary accommodations for him, to enable him to flourish academically. The ongoing support and constructive feedback from our Student Progress Manager, Charlotte Casey and subject tutors (Emilie Champion, Rachel Pereira da Silva, Nathalie Hanney, Ed Morris and James Hazel) enables our 2 children (daughter aged 9 and son aged 11 years) to accomplish all their study goals with eagerness and success. We will definitively continue this journey with Wolsey Hall Oxford and we feel truly blessed to be part of such a wonderful and supportive team. Wilmaré Gouws – South Africa
Dr. Wilmare Gouws, April 29, 2022
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Transferring my daughter's studies to Wolsey Hall - best decision ever.
My daughter joined distance learning at Wolsey Hall in December 2016. Prior to that she attended international schools in the Middle East and North Africa. For work projects we relocated almost every 2 years, and Evangelista plays big tennis professionally. So when she reached 11 years of age and we had moved continents once more in summer 2016, we decided to move out of regular schooling into home studies, so to avoid permanent stress of adjusting to different curriculums and being tied to physical places. It was our personal experience of adjusting to our own schedule and discipline that we found challenging for the first few months. Though the school Student Managers and Tutors were the most supporting of our first few months working on helping us smoothly transition into home studies. Eventually my daughter adjusted the best to the self organising with her subjects. And for so many years now the schooling at Wolsey Hall is the most pleasant experience we ever had with schools. Organisation is of absolute high quality, the platform is organised at best level, everything is clear, information is always systematic, logical, well explained, additional resources provided, no delays in any aspect, and the Student Manager and the Tutors - are the most pleasant people and professionals at their jobs. Communication is always timely on the School Staff's part and we feel always comfortable addressing any subject questions and administrative queries. We get prompt responses and assistance. I truly appreciate the fact that 5 years back I chose Wolsey Hall for my daughter. She is the most happiest child doing her studies with this school. She grew into a confident young girl thanks to the whole homeschooling experience; she appreciates the freedom of making her own choices, knows the worth of her self efforts, she learnt her own time management, and her grades are the highest now more than have ever been in regular schools. She grew to love doing Math, which was not the case in her past regular schooling, thanks to the Wolsey Hall Math Tutor's encouragement and feedback and all the additional resources that are offered within the module. Thank you to every person making it possible and making the home schooling a wonderful experience. May the School prosper for many more generations.
Maria Walls, October 9, 2021
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Wolsey Hall is an excellent online Homeschooling platform
We have been travelling quite a bit and thanks to Wolsey Hall it was possible to give our 4 children a high standard of education. The lesson plans, structure and required materials are easy to access and download. Our appointed Student Progress Manager was a great help in staying on track and the platform gave us a lot of flexibility as we can submit assignments at a later date. The tutors were easily available when needed and always responded quickly. They gave extra resources and information when needed. We can easily recommend Wolsey Hall as an online school platform anytime.
Lizel Donovan, June 15, 2020
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We can not thank Wolsey enough
We can not thank Wolsey enough, as a traveling family they have provided us with the structure and guidance to home school our children yet reassuring us we are on track with education in primary and secondary grades. Thank you
Natasha, March 26, 2020
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Wolsey HallOxford school - review
This is Tatiana, I am really happy with Wolsey HallOxford school. My daughter being a tennis player and required more practice and traveling, Wolsey school help her to be on her studies wherever she travels and as per her own schedule without missing her studies . Teachers are very supportive and helpful and fast in reply. As of now this is a great method of schooling, flexible and encouraging the kids to be motivated and to study by themselves.
Tatiana , June 3, 2019
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Wolsey hall provides us with great…
Wolsey hall provides us with great resources and a accessible online portal to study whilst we are travelling. The tutors are very supportive. We have a structured a monitored approach to home schooling with Wolsey Hall.
Noura , November 26, 2018
Rated 4.7 / 5 based on 270 reviews.
What’s your next step?
Our Learning Advisors 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.
Visit our Admissions page to see how you can get started.
Admissions Enquiry Form
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.