Online School & Homeschool in Cardiff

Online school and homeschooling in Cardiff

For Cardiff and South Wales families who home educate, want an alternative to their school place, or want an international qualification — live online Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level, IB, American curriculum with AP, and the Ontario OSSD through our Ontario partner school.

Smartious teaches Cardiff families live online, in small classes of 4-6 students, on UK time. Home education is lawful in Wales under section 7 of the Education Act 1996: parents must make sure their child receives a suitable full-time education, and a child at a mainstream school is taken off the roll once the parent tells the school in writing that they are home educating. Cardiff state schools now teach the Curriculum for Wales and enter students for WJEC qualifications, including the new Made-for-Wales GCSEs taught from September 2025. Families who home educate are free to choose a different route, and many choose Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level because they are recognised by universities across the UK and worldwide. We teach Primary through A-Level, IB and American high school, plus one-to-one tuition from USD 15/hour.

Challenges Cardiff families face

Home education in Wales: lawful under section 7 of the Education Act 1996. Parents deregister a child from a mainstream school by writing to the school; a child at a special school placed by the local authority needs the council's consent. Cardiff Council may make enquiries to check the education is suitable, following the Welsh Government's statutory guidance for local authorities (2023).
Curriculum for Wales and Made-for-Wales GCSEs: Welsh state schools have moved to a new curriculum and new WJEC GCSEs. Families who move between England and Wales, or who plan to study outside Wales, often prefer the Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level route, which does not change when the family moves.
Exams for home-educated students: home-educated learners can sit qualifications as private candidates at a centre that accepts them. Centres in Wales mostly offer WJEC; Cambridge IGCSE entries may mean a centre in England (Bristol is under an hour away). We help each family find a centre and plan the entries early.
The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 brings a children-not-in-school register to England and Wales. In Wales the Welsh Ministers set when it starts. Our records of attendance, work and reports make it easy for a family to show what their child is learning.
Welsh language: Welsh is compulsory to 16 in Welsh state schools. Smartious teaches in English; families who want Welsh-medium learning can keep it alongside our programme.
Time zone: GMT (UTC+0), BST (UTC+1) in summer. Lessons sit in the UK school day.

Why Cardiff families choose Smartious

A route that does not change when you move: Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level are the same in Cardiff, London or Dubai, and are accepted by UK universities through UCAS.
Live teachers, not self-study: Real lessons in small groups of 4-6 students, with homework, marking and weekly reports.
Built for home education in Wales: A full-time, documented programme that helps families show the council their child receives a suitable education.
Help with exams: We plan entries with each family and help find a centre that accepts private candidates.
Clear fees: From USD 423/month (Primary), varying by curriculum and level. Tuition from USD 15/hour.
UK time: Lessons in the UK school day, GMT/BST.

Home education in Wales falls under section 7 of the Education Act 1996. Tell the school in writing to take your child off the roll (council consent is needed for a special school place). Cardiff Council may ask about the education; our timetable, records and reports help you answer.

Online one-to-one tuition from USD 15/hour for GCSE, IGCSE and A-Level subjects.

Live online lessons in the UK school day (GMT/BST).

Cardiff is the capital of Wales and its largest city, home to the Senedd, the Welsh Government, Cardiff University and a large university, health and media workforce. Home education has grown across Wales in recent years, and families who choose it want a structured option with real teachers. Families moving between England, Wales and abroad also want a qualification that stays the same wherever they live.

Family situations we work with

Families in Pontcanna, Canton, Llandaff, Roath, Cathays, Whitchurch, Rhiwbina and Cyncoed.
Cardiff Bay and Penarth families.
Vale of Glamorgan families — Barry, Cowbridge, Dinas Powys.
Caerphilly, Pontypridd and the South Wales Valleys.
Families who already home educate and want a structured, teacher-led programme.
Students for whom school has not worked — anxiety, bullying, school refusal or a long illness.
Students with additional learning needs (ALN) who do better in a small live class.
Families moving between England and Wales who want one curriculum throughout.
International families at Cardiff University, the NHS, the BBC or Welsh Government.
Young athletes, musicians and performers who need a flexible timetable.
Private candidates retaking IGCSE or A-Level at 16-19.
Welsh families planning to live or study abroad.

Cardiff communities and nearby areas

Pontcanna · Canton · Llandaff · Roath · Cathays · Whitchurch · Rhiwbina · Cyncoed · Cardiff Bay · Penarth · Barry · Cowbridge · Caerphilly · Pontypridd · Bridgend

Common questions from Cardiff families

Is homeschooling legal in Cardiff and the rest of Wales?

Yes. Under section 7 of the Education Act 1996 parents must make sure their child receives a suitable full-time education, at school or otherwise. To take a child out of a mainstream school, write to the school; it removes the child from the roll and tells Cardiff Council. A child at a special school placed by the council needs the council's consent. The council may make enquiries to check the education is suitable.

Does my child have to follow the Curriculum for Wales at home?

No. The Curriculum for Wales applies to schools funded by the state. Home-educating families choose their own curriculum, and many choose Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level, IB or American high school.

Can a home-educated student in Wales sit IGCSEs instead of Made-for-Wales GCSEs?

Yes. Home-educated learners are not limited to Made-for-Wales GCSEs. They sit exams as private candidates at a centre that accepts them. Many Welsh centres offer WJEC only, so a Cambridge IGCSE entry can mean a centre in England, such as in Bristol. We help families plan this early.

What changes with the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026?

The Act brings in a register of children not in school for England and Wales. In Wales the start date is set by the Welsh Ministers, and it was not in force when this page was written. The right to home educate stays.

How much does Smartious cost?

From USD 423/month for Primary, varying by curriculum and level. One-to-one tuition is USD 15/hour. Admission starts with a placement assessment.

Guides for families in United Kingdom

What parents say

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“I'm very much pleased by the teaching methods at Smartious eschool, the tutors are caring, they never fail to reach out to their students in any need. Highly recommend!” — Valentine M., Google review