FAQ's

We teach through Google Classroom for lessons, assignments and feedback, with live sessions on Google Meet. We also use Canva for Education for creative projects and visual resources (free for staff and students).

• Learners get a riversidevirtualcollege.co.uk Google account.
• Timetables and due dates appear in Google Calendar.
• Guardian email summaries can be enabled on request.

Need help accessing your class? Contact us at enquires@riverside-education.co.uk or call 07516 221 386.

All lessons run through Google Classroom and Google Calendar.

Step 1 – Find the lesson link: Each class in Google Classroom has a permanent Meet link at the top of the page — your child uses this every time for that subject.

Step 2 – Check lesson times: Every class has its own Google Calendar. Go to calendar.google.com on the school account and ensure all class calendars are ticked.

Step 3 – Remember: Google Calendar = WHEN. Google Classroom = WHERE.

• Encourage your child to check Google Calendar daily and log in a few minutes early.
• The “Upcoming” box in Classroom only shows assignments — always use Calendar for lesson times.

Guardian Summaries are automatic emails giving you a weekly snapshot of your child’s learning, sent directly from Google Classroom — no new logins needed.

Each summary includes completed work, upcoming work, missing work, and new class activity. Summaries arrive weekly by default (Fridays) or daily if you prefer.

We’ll send an invite from Google Classroom — simply click “Accept” to start. Check your spam folder if you don’t receive it, or contact the office.

Guardian Summaries = less chasing, more clarity.

No — at Riverside Virtual College, we do not require a uniform. Removing uniform costs reduces financial pressure on families and supports comfort for neurodivergent learners.

We ask students to wear comfortable, appropriate clothing for online lessons, avoid offensive or inappropriate imagery, and be camera-ready in a safe and respectful way. This keeps our provision SEND-first, inclusive and budget-friendly.

Accessibility is central to everything we do. Our virtual classrooms are designed to work for every learner:

• Live lessons supported by captions; recordings available where appropriate.
• Resources in dyslexia-friendly and easy-read formats.
• Laptops with accessibility tools provided where needed (subject to commissioning arrangements).
• Parent/carer guidance available in multiple formats and languages.

We review our Accessibility Plan annually and act on learner and family feedback.

Please complete our Absence Reporting Form before registration (8:30am) on the day of absence. For planned absences you can fill in the form in advance.

This helps us record attendance accurately, follow safeguarding checks, and minimise disruption to learning.

Difficulty with the form? Contact us at enquires@riverside-education.co.uk or call 07516 221 386.

We report GCSE and Functional Skills outcomes in line with government requirements, and we also evidence growth in confidence, communication, regulation and independence. Progress is measured against both national expectations and personal EHCP goals.

• Attendance and engagement in online lessons.
• Academic outcomes in English, Maths, Science and other subjects studied.
• Personal development: confidence, self-advocacy, communication.
• Preparation for next steps: careers education and destinations data.

All learners hear about every route beyond school — sixth form, college, apprenticeships and technical pathways. Approved providers meet students online with safeguarding built in:

• Sessions on secure Google Meet with a staff member always present.
• Materials are clear and accessible (captions, readable formats).
• Opportunities align with SEND needs and aspirations.

Providers or parents can contact our Careers Lead, Jodie Vail, at enquires@riverside-education.co.uk or call 07516 221 386.

RVC placements are fee-paying and usually commissioned by Local Authorities. Our standard full-time fee is £40,000 per academic year, reflecting our highly specialised online SEND provision, technology and support.

Additional costs may apply for specialist subjects, personal items students keep, optional enrichment, or replacement of lost/damaged loaned equipment. Where LA-funded, costs are agreed with the commissioner. Private families can discuss remission options in cases of hardship.

We never exclude a student due to financial barriers.

Schools must publish information on how their finances compare nationally via the DfE’s financial benchmarking service. As a SEND-specialist virtual college, our cost profile differs from mainstream schools, but we use benchmarking to assure value for money and effective use of resources for every learner.