Wolsey Hall

From Researching Virtual Initiatives in Education

Wolsey Hall, based in Oxford UK has evolved from a long-standing correspondence college to become a virtual school in its own right. It uses a learning management system to provide online learning for 14 to 18 year olds studying A-Levels and IGCSEs through personal tutorials, rather than classes. The business has been supporting students on distance learning courses since 1894. Fees vary from £390.00 for one IGCSE to £510.00 per A level subject (over 2 years). It is estimated that students will take up to 200 hrs for an IGCSE subject and 700 hours for an A-Level subject (350 hrs for AS and 350 hrs for A2).

The USP of this business is fast feedback and responsiveness. Assignments sent to a tutor we are marked and returned within 48 hours, while tutors are available twelve hours a day, seven days a week to respond to queries. Students receive the subject’s core study material as soon as they enroll for a course, as well as access to the online learning environment which contains: a study guide; examination syllabus; profiles of tutors; programme of study, showing what a student needs to cover before each assignment; study schedule showing when each assignment is due; assignments, which students submit online and receive back marked within 5 working days; and relevant web links.

Each student is supported by a tutor, available by email or Skype at any time during the course, and a student services manager who deals with admin issues, advice or help. However students have to make their own arrangements to take the exams, using the Cambridge or Edexcel exam centres in the UK and the British Council or International School outside the UK.