Ad break

In this episode of the podcast, we get to chat Hugh Viney, the founder and CEO of Minerva Virtual Academy (MVA), winner of an award at Uprising 2025 and the fastest growing school in the UK. We explore the innovative approach of MVA, which offers a hybrid model of education designed to cater to students who do not thrive in traditional school settings. Hugh shares the founding story of MVA, the challenges faced by students in mainstream education, and the unique solutions MVA provides. The conversation digs into the importance of community, the barriers to happiness in education, and the future of schooling as a choice-driven landscape.Chapters00:00 Introduction01:25 Hugh Viney's Background and Minerva Virtual Academy04:18 The Need for Alternative Education Models11:13 Breaking Down Barriers to Learning15:39 The Impact of Hybrid Learning on Athletes19:44 Preparing for Life Beyond Sports22:30 Navigating Educational Challenges23:21 The Evolution of MVA25:05 Engagement and Recognition in Education27:27 Socialisation and Community Building in Online Learning30:44 Parental Perspectives and Systemic Challenges33:39 Future Directions36:58 Technological Innovations in Education39:15 The Human Element in Online LearningFind out more about MVAThanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben & Steve xChampioning those who are making the future of education a reality.Follow us on XFollow us on LinkedInCheck out all about EdufuturistsWant to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?Get in touchGet your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2026

CONTENT PARTNER AD: This episode is powered by Integrated Systems Europe, the must-attend event for educators, technologists, and institutional leaders seeking to shape the future of learning. From 3–6 February 2026, ISE returns to Barcelona, uniting the brightest minds and boldest ideas in the edtech industry. Join us and Push Beyond the possibilities that are transforming the classroom of tomorrow. Don’t just keep up with the industry - get ahead of it. Check out the website to find out more and join us for ISE 2026 in Push Beyond. Use our special code 'edufuturists' for free registration here