Mallorca-based academy highlights rise in flexible, personalised learning among internationally mobile families
As increasing numbers of UK families explore alternatives to traditional schooling, a growing movement among expatriate communities is highlighting what the UK education system may be missing.
Rising levels of homeschooling and hybrid education in the UK, alongside concerns that schools are not equipping students with the skills needed for an AI-driven future, are prompting parents to look beyond conventional models. International education hubs such as Mallorca are becoming testing grounds for more flexible, personalised approaches.
Mallorca Tutoring Academy, based in Son Rapinya near Palma, is working with a growing number of British and international families who are actively choosing alternatives to mainstream schooling. The academy offers a tailored education model designed around the individual student, rather than a standardised curriculum.
Julie, Managing Director of MTA Group, says many families arrive having already lost confidence in traditional systems.
“We’re seeing more UK families questioning whether the current model still works,” she says. “There’s a growing sense that education hasn’t kept pace with the world children are entering — particularly when it comes to adaptability, independent thinking and real-world skills.”
Julie Holdsworth founded what would become the MTA Group in 2009, and has led its growth from a single tutoring service into a multi-site educational organisation serving families across Mallorca and the Costa del Sol. As Managing Director, she oversees educational delivery, HR, customer service and the overall strategy of the group.
Julie’s career began not in a classroom but in banking, a detour from a childhood ambition to teach that she reflects on with characteristic candour. “Looking back I don’t know what made me switch from my childhood dream of being a teacher,” she says, “but I went into banking when I had finished my formal education. After a few years I was offered the opportunity to join training and development, and of course I jumped at the chance.” From there she built a career in training and mentoring, working with adults across disciplines including tax, marketing, business and customer services, before setting up her own training and project management consultancy that took her across the UK and abroad.
One of the key differences in expat-led education models is flexibility. Through its partnership with Wolsey Hall Oxford, students at Mallorca Tutoring Academy can access a significantly broader GCSE and A level curriculum than is typically available in UK schools, allowing them to build programmes based on interest, ability and future direction.
This contrasts with more rigid subject pathways often found in traditional settings, where availability and standardisation can limit choice.
For internationally mobile families, continuity is also a major factor. Frequent relocation between countries and education systems means many students benefit from a more adaptable structure, combining in-person and virtual learning.
But the shift is not only logistical — it is philosophical.
“Expat families tend to think differently about education,” Julie explains. “They are often less focused on fitting into a system, and more focused on finding an approach that actually works for their child.”
The academy also supports students who may not thrive in conventional classrooms, including those with different learning styles or who have struggled with confidence in traditional environments. Smaller class sizes and individual attention allow for a more responsive and supportive learning experience.
The rise of artificial intelligence is further accelerating the debate. As automation reshapes the future of work, educators and parents alike are questioning whether exam-focused systems are adequately preparing students.
“There is still a heavy emphasis on memorisation and standardised testing,” Julie says. “But those are the areas most vulnerable to automation. The skills that matter now — critical thinking, creativity, resilience — require a different approach to teaching.”
Education experts are increasingly pointing to hybrid and personalised models as part of the future landscape, blending academic rigour with flexibility and real-world relevance.
For the UK, the growing popularity of international and alternative education models raises an important question: whether evolution within the system can keep pace with the changing needs of students.
“Families are no longer assuming that one system fits all,” Julie adds. “They are exploring, comparing and, in many cases, opting out altogether.”
With programmes spanning primary through to further education, alongside language learning and international exam preparation, Mallorca Tutoring Academy reflects a wider global shift — one that is challenging long-held assumptions about how education should be delivered.
