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Unique and fast-growing online school gains silver in two categories at UK’s biggest small-business awards ceremony
Minerva’s Virtual Academy, an online independent school with physical offices in London, UK, won silver medals in two categories at the 2022 Small and Medium-Enterprise (SME) Awards, acknowledging it in the competitive best London-based business category as well as the second-best business in the country with a staff of under 50 people.
The awards celebrate and recognise SMEs which, by their nature, are often overlooked in mainstream business awards, despite their innovation and power to be disruptors. The ceremony took place in December 2022 and was attended by a cohort of MVA staff.
Hugh Viney, founder of MVA and its sister company Minerva Tutors, was accompanied by Laura Hallet and Emily Jensen, MVA’s admissions team, and Sol Rolls-Tyson, one of MVA’s unique Elite Athlete Education Officers who works to support aspiring young sportspeople balance education with budding careers.
‘It felt like we’d won an Oscar, hearing our names called,’ said Emily Jensen. ‘We couldn’t believe it. Because we’re such a small business, I don’t think we were expecting it. By the time we got to the stage, I think our surprise and enthusiasm were pretty infectious!’
The school was nominated for three categories and won silver in two: ‘Best London Business’ and ‘Best Business Under 50 Staff’, beating around 30 finalists in each category for the award.
MVA’s two wins follow an already busy year of awards for the business. The online school has already placed as a finalist in the Education Investor Awards and won the Muddy Stiletto Best School Award for technology-led teaching.
The two SME awards marked a turning point for the business, though, says Laura Hallett. ‘All the previous awards we’ve won have been education-centred. To be recognised across and amongst every sector of business — that is next-level.’
2022 saw the growth of MVA in many directions, including its first provision for sixth form and A-Level, as well as an increase from around 70 to 260-and-counting students with an attendant growth in staff numbers, too. In the coming year, the online school is making moves to introduce Years 7 and 8 as well as developing its Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision.
The SME awards ceremony saw a gathering of businesses from all around the UK, and involved drinks and dancing to an impressive ABBA-tribute act.
The MVA team ‘much enjoyed’ meeting so many other SMEs and found the evening ‘extremely inspiring’.
‘The second award win… that came as a complete surprise,’ said Emily. ‘Hugh’s face was just hilarious — he was so shocked! Winning those awards put a lovely sparkle on an already very magical night.’
Reports of Hugh and Sol dancing with no holds barred to ABBA by the end of the night have yet to be disproved by any eyewitnesses.
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