With private school fees rising and secondary school places increasingly competitive, a growing number of families across the capital are discovering an established alternative
Changes to the independent education sector have caused many parents in and around London to re-evaluate their options when it comes to their choice of school for their children. The introduction of VAT on independent school fees in January 2025 was followed by a drop in pupil numbers at independent schools by 3.5% in a single year, according to the Independent Schools Council’s 2026 Census, with the sharpest declines seen at entry points such as Year 1 (down 6.6%) and Year 7 (down 5.6%).
At the same time, securing a place at a preferred state school remains intensely competitive – particularly in selective London boroughs such as Bexley, Bromley, Sutton, Kingston and Barnet, where 11-plus results arrive in October and deadlines follow quickly. For families who find themselves without their first choice, or who are priced out of independent education, finding a flexible, high-quality alternative that leads to recognised qualifications is a priority.
While online schooling has gained significant attention in recent years, it is far from a new concept. CambriLearn has been operating as an online independent school since 2008 – making it older than almost every online provider currently available to British families. Originally devised for children relocating between countries, young athletes and performers training during school hours, and pupils who needed an alternative to mainstream environments, it has now taught more than 80,000 students across more than 100 countries.
Accredited education from home
CambriLearn offers six dfferent curriculum pathways, including the International British curriculum and Pearson Edexcel(Image: CambriLearn)
In education, the right credentials are crucial, so parents will be pleased to hear that CambriLearn is an accredited school – not a course provider or tutoring service. It holds accreditation from Cognia and is an approved Pearson Edexcel centre (centre number 94888). It is also registered with SACAI and the IEB, and its US K-12 courses are NCAA approved.
Teaching is live, timetabled and led by teachers, catering to children aged four to 19 across six curriculum pathways, including the International British curriculum and Pearson Edexcel.
One significant hurdle for home-educated pupils in England is securing an examination centre to sit final tests. Independent candidates must find a centre willing to host them, yet JCQ data shows only around 190 centres nationally accept private candidates – with just 49 consistently appearing across three successive lists to serve roughly 32,000 home-educated pupils in Years 10 and 11. In a survey of 249 private candidates, 26% reported having to book overnight accommodation just to sit an exam.
However, as an approved Pearson Edexcel centre, CambriLearn helps streamline this process for its students.
Comparing costs and flexibility
CambriLearn operates a per-subject pricing structure that offers excellent value compared with independent schools(Image: CambriLearn)
The next consideration is fees. The Independent Schools Council’s Census recorded the average London independent day school fee at £7,436 per term excluding VAT in January 2025 – amounting to £22,308 per year, or £26,770 once 20% VAT is applied.
In contrast, CambriLearn operates a per-subject pricing structure billed across 10 monthly instalments, allowing parents to pay specifically for the subjects their child takes.
For a realistic course load of seven International GCSE subjects over a full year:
- Standard Package: £3,541 per year (billed at £506 per subject per year, plus a one-off non-refundable registration fee of roughly £71)
- Premium Package: £6,919 per year (billed at £988 per subject per year, plus registration)
NB: All CambriLearn fees are charged in US dollars; GBP figures are conversions based on live exchange rates (calculated here at £0.7436 to the dollar). Lock in 2026 course fees for 2027: Enrol or re-enrol and make the required payment by 30 November 2026. Eligible course fees only. Terms and conditions apply.
Parents can mix support tiers across different subjects – more support where your child needs it, less in their strongest subjects(Image: CambriLearn)
This means that a full academic year of seven International GCSE subjects on the Standard package costs less than half of one single term at the average London day school, while the Premium package across a full year remains less than a single London term. Examination entry fees are paid separately directly to the chosen examination centre.
Parents can also mix support tiers across different subjects – choosing more live teacher support in maths, for instance, and less in geography. Enrolment is open throughout the year on a rolling 12-month cycle, rather than being restricted to a September intake. Families who enrol before November 30, 2026 can also hold their fees for the full 2027 academic year.
Socialisation and community support
You may be wondering how socialisation is handled when all of the teaching is delivered online. Every student enrolled at CambriLearn gains access to CambriCommunity, which organises events and extramural activities for all age groups, alongside moderated online clubs for students aged 12 and over.
To find out more or to discuss your child’s options, book a consultation at cambrilearn.com/online-school-consultation
