FAQ's
The Important Bits
What can I expect from Hive lessons?
Hive lessons are always super friendly and welcoming. Our tutors are cherry-picked for being simply wonderful and the groups are intentionally kept small so that your learner has the opportunity to flourish.
Lessons, topic resources and optional home-assignments are available to all students in their portal, and individual feedback from the tutors which will be coming soon. Live lessons run in 6-week blocks (approx half-terms) with a holiday in between and there are 6-blocks per year, from September to July. You can see the block and holiday dates here.
How do I book?
Choose the class that’s right for your learner and book their Live or Watch Anytime place on the class page through our website. Most Hive classes are booked in blocks of around 6-weeks, although some may be shorter. The dates, times, number of lessons and total price will always be shown before you book.
Can we join after a block has already started?
Yes — if there’s a space available. You’ll still book the whole block, but we’ll give you access to the earlier recordings and/or catch-up materials so your learner can catch up on what they’ve missed.
Do I need to re-book every block?
No, not for Live Access. Once your learner has a Live Access place, we keep it for them for the following block so that you don't have to rush to secure their place at the end of each block. Payment is collected automatically unless you cancel before the renewal date. Watch Anytime Access does not automatically renew.
For Live Access, payment for the following block will normally be collected on the Monday of Week 6 (the final week). We normally send reminders approximately 7 days, 2 days and 1 day before payment, and the exact date and amount will be shown in your Parent Portal and/or renewal emails.
How can I cancel?
It’s easy. Simply select Cancel Subscription in your Parent Portal before the next renewal payment is collected. There’s no cancellation charge, and your learner can continue to access the block you’ve already paid for.
What happens if my child misses a lesson?
We understand that things come up. Hive live lessons are normally recorded, so your learner can usually catch up at any time that suits them. Recordings and resources are available for a minimum of three months after the end of the block.
How many learners are in a Hive class?
Our core live Hive classes have a maximum of 10 learners. Some larger interest-based clubs, such as Young Farmers Club and Pony Club Academy, may have up to fifteen learners. Where a class differs from our usual small-group format, this will be clear on the class page.
What's the difference between Live Access and Watch Anytime Access?
Live Access gives your learner a place in the weekly live lesson with their tutor, plus access to:
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lesson recordings for revision or catch-up;
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relevant class resources; and
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optional unmarked home assignments.
Watch Anytime Access lets your learner follow the same course without attending the live lesson. They receive:
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recordings of the live lessons to do anytime;
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relevant class resources;
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optional unmarked home assignments; and
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first refusal of a live space.
Watch Anytime can be a useful option if a live group is full, the lesson time doesn’t currently work for you, or your learner simply prefers to learn in their own time.
Do cameras need to be on?
Ideally. Hive lessons are designed to be small and interactive, and seeing learners helps tutors get to know them, communicate naturally, support participation and include everyone. We understand that having a camera on isn’t suitable for every learner, so please contact us if your child needs an adjustment: cameras@thehomeedhive.co.uk
Are Hive tutors DBS checked?
Yes. Home-Ed Hive tutors have an Enhanced DBS check.
Do you welcome learners with additional needs?
Yes. The Home-Ed Hive welcomes learners with a wide range of learning styles and additional needs. If there’s something that may help your learner participate successfully, please tell us. We’ll consider reasonable adjustments wherever we can. Our standard Hive classes are small-group online lessons rather than specialist one-to-one provision unless a class specifically says otherwise.
Do you offer iGCSEs and other qualifications?
Yes. Some Hive classes support learners working towards qualifications and awards including iGCSEs, Functional Skills, LAMDA, Arts Award and CREST, alongside other programmes. Check the individual class page for exactly what each class covers. Exams can be booked directly with an exam centre, such as Tutors & Exams who have centres all over the UK.
Booking & Payments
What happens if I cancel after the next payment has already been taken?
You will normally receive reminders approximately 7 days, 2 days and 1 day before your next payment is collected. Once payment for the next block has been collected, that block is confirmed and is non-refundable. Cancelling at that point will stop the following renewal rather than the block already paid for.
Can I get a refund if my child changes their mind?
Confirmed blocks are normally non-refundable. Because our classes are deliberately small, personal and low-cost, the spaces, tutor time and class planning are organised in advance around the confirmed learners.
Can I move my booking to another class?
We can’t normally swap or transfer paid bookings between classes, learners, lesson times, blocks or future dates. Because our classes are deliberately small, personal and low-cost, places, tutor time and class planning are organised in advance around the confirmed learners.
Do you offer sibling or multi-class discounts?
Sadly, we can’t. Our lessons are already kept as low-cost as possible, so we can’t offer further sibling or multi-class discounts while still covering the cost of providing the lessons.
Recordings & Catch-Up
Are lesson recordings available?
Yes. Hive live lessons are normally recorded for educational and catch-up purposes. Where technically possible, recordings are configured to focus on the tutor and shared teaching content rather than learners' camera feeds or displayed names. Recordings and accompanying class resources are available for a minimum of three months after the end of the relevant block. They may remain available for longer, but we don’t guarantee continued access after that minimum period. Recordings must not be copied or shared.
What happens if a recording doesn't work?
Occasionally, technology lets everyone down. If a lesson recording is unexpectedly unavailable, we’ll provide appropriate alternative learning materials or resources covering the relevant learning. If you purchased Watch Anytime Access and we’re unable to provide the intended recording or a suitable equivalent recording, we’ll also provide a £5 credit towards another Watch Anytime course.
Will my child appear in a recording?
Where technically possible, we configure recordings so that learners’ camera feeds and displayed names aren’t included. Learners may sometimes be heard, and because these are live lessons we can’t guarantee that a learner will never be incidentally visible or audible.
Can I record a Hive lesson myself?
No. To protect learners, tutors and the wider Hive community, families must not make their own video recordings, audio recordings, screen recordings, screenshots or photographs of Hive lessons without our written permission.
Hive recordings and lesson materials must not be shared with other families or posted online.
Classes & Tutors
What happens if The Home-Ed Hive has to cancel a lesson?
Where reasonably possible, we’ll first try to arrange another suitable Hive tutor. If that isn’t possible, we may provide a suitable recorded replacement covering the relevant learning. If we’re ultimately unable to provide the service purchased, your statutory consumer rights will apply.
What happens if there aren't enough learners for a class?
Occasionally a class may not have enough learners to run as originally planned. We may postpone the start, adjust compatible groups, offer another time or start date, suggest a suitable alternative or cancel the class. We’ll never require you to accept a materially different class or lesson time.
Will my child normally have the same tutor?
Yes. Hive tutors commit to their groups, so learners will normally have the same tutor. If their usual tutor is unavailable on a rare occasion, we may provide another suitably matched Hive tutor.
Live & Watch Anytime Access
Do I need to re-book Live Access for each new block?
No. Once your learner has a Live Access place, we reserve it for the following block unless you cancel before the renewal payment is collected.
Payment will normally be collected on the Monday of Week 6, the final week, with renewal reminders sent beforehand.
Does Watch Anytime Access automatically renew?
No. Watch Anytime Access does not automatically renew. A learner might join the Live class if there is space, or simply purchase the next Watch Anytime block.
How long can we access recordings and resources?
Lesson recordings and relevant class resources will be available for a minimum of three months after the end of the block. They may remain available for longer, but continued access beyond that minimum period isn’t guaranteed.
Joining Online Lessons
What does my child need?
Usually just:
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a suitable device such as a laptop or iPad;
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reliable internet;
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speakers or headphones;
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a microphone; and
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a camera for live lessons.
If a particular class needs any simple resources or equipment, we’ll let you know in advance on the Class Hub page.
Do I need to sit with my child?
Not necessarily. Parents remain responsible for their child while they’re learning from home and should be reasonably available if needed.
Younger learners, children who need additional support or some practical activities may need closer adult supervision.
Qualifications & Exams
Does the price include the exam?
No, unless the individual class page specifically says otherwise.
Exam entry, registration, assessment, examination centre, moderation and other third-party fees aren’t automatically included.
Will The Home-Ed Hive arrange the exam centre?
No, unless the individual class specifically says that we will.
Otherwise, parents are responsible for finding an appropriate exam or assessment centre, checking that it accepts the relevant qualification/specification, meeting deadlines and paying the associated fees.
There are many exam centres to choose from, such as Tutors & Exams.
Does booking a class guarantee progress?
Hive small-group classes are curated to give learners the support and opportunity to progress, but individual work and support, attendance, engagement, previous knowledge and preparation all play a part.
Safeguarding & Privacy
Safeguarding concerns can be sent directly to: safeguarding@thehomeedhive.co.uk
If you believe a child is in immediate danger, please contact the appropriate emergency service or safeguarding authority.
Families Outside the UK
Can families outside the UK join?
Yes. Families outside the UK are very welcome to join our online classes.
Times shown on our website are UK times, so please check the corresponding local time before booking.
Still Have a Question?
Email us and we’ll be happy to help!