I’ve studied with Ideal Schools before, and this time I completed the ICB Level 4 Self-Assessment course. I want to give a special mention to Louise, who has been incredibly helpful throughout. S... See more
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I’ve been studying with Ideal Schools since April and couldn’t be happier with the experience. The tutors provide detailed, thoughtful feedback that genuinely helps me understand and improve, and t... See more
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The lessons are really well explained, each one building on what you know in a very logical way. There's lots of little assignments and tests to make sure that you've grasped everything. The mock exam... See more
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Fantastic Payroll Management Course! I wanted to learn how to calculate payroll manually in case the software breaks. Brain in the office helped me organise monthly payments. It was easy to learn remo... See more
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Company details
About Ideal Schools
Written by the company
Formed in 1983, for over four decades Ideal Schools have provided thousands of students with skills that are essential within EVERY business. Specialising in home study, all courses are fully tutor supported where personalised help and guidance is supplied via telephone, email and our award winning social media groups.
Our main course ranges cover professional qualifications with ICB, AAT, and CPD Certification Service, ensuring students are prepared for either employed or self-employed opportunities.
Save 10% on course fees
Written by the company
- Discount code - TRUST10
- We are proud of our long-standing reputation in providing high quality training and support in bookkeeping & accounting. We hope that you find our student reviews helpful in making your own study choice and that we'll be welcoming you to IDEAL Schools soon. As a thank you for reading our reviews, if your preferred course is not already discounted, please use the above code during online registration to activate a 10% discount on course fees.
Exam Pass Guarantee
We'll do all we can to ensure you pass first time
We have 100% confidence in our courses and services. Based on this confidence we will pay 50% of the cost for one resit for every exam that you may undertake. This is clearly an expense that we'd rather avoid and should provide you with full confidence that we'll do all we can to ensure you pass first time.
Contact info
Ideal Schools, 4/3, 60 St Enoch Square, G1 4AG, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- 0141 248 5200 / 0800 028 1404
- admin@idealschools.co.uk
- www.idealschools.co.uk
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4.9
Excellent
765 reviews
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Amazing experience overall
Really helpful with materials and aiding me with my learning towards my qualification.
Would recommend Ideal schools to anyone working towards an AAT qualification.
May 13, 2026
Reply from Ideal Schools
Thank you so much for your kind words, Chloe.
We’re really pleased to hear that you’ve had such a positive experience and found the learning materials helpful in supporting your journey towards your qualification. That’s exactly what we aim for!
Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we’re so glad to be part of your AAT studies.
We'd love to help you take your AAT study beyond Level 2, where you'll benefit from an ongoing student loyalty discount. Please keep in touch if you need any guidance.
The IDEAL Team
Recommended
I chose Ideal Schools because of all the good reviews and I haven't been disappointed. They have been friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and prompt in all my dealings with them.
April 15, 2026
Reply from Ideal Schools
Hi Rachel, thank you so much for your 5-star review, it's greatly appreciated.
We’re delighted that your experience with Ideal Schools has lived up to the expectations as we pride ourselves on delivering a fast and friendly service to all student.
We wish you every success as you now move through your Level 3 study and exams.
The IDEAL Team
Great experience with Ideal Schools
Great experience with Ideal Schools. Very good support and a big shout out to my tutor Brian who guided me through my exams when I thought I was really losing my mind.
April 15, 2026
Reply from Ideal Schools
Thank you for taking the time to review your study; it's brilliant to hear that your experience was a positive one. Brian will have been delighted to guide you towards your exam successes and will appreciation your gratitude.
The IDEAL Team
Payroll Management - Ideal Scools
I recently completed my ICB Level 3 Diploma in Payroll Management through Ideal Schools. The tutors support was excellent throughout the whole course and made home learning a really enjoyable experience. The resources were excellently prepared and all communication was prompt. Their knowledge and ability to explain everything was excellent. The course was true value for money.
March 31, 2026
Reply from Ideal Schools
Thank you so much for your fantastic review, Alison.
Congratulations on completing your ICB Level 3 Diploma in Payroll Management - a great achievement! We’re absolutely delighted to hear that you had such a positive study experience and that our tutors’ support helped make your home learning both enjoyable and rewarding.
We also really appreciate your kind comments about our course resources, communication, and the clarity of our teaching—this is exactly what we aim to deliver for every learner, and at good value for the student.
Thank you again, and we wish you every success in your future career!
The IDEAL Team
A really supportive and helpful team
A really supportive and helpful team. Always available to answer questions and offer explanations. They are easy to talk to and the facebook support group is a great way to chat to others doing the same or similar qualifications.
April 15, 2026
Reply from Ideal Schools
Hi Jenny,
Thank you for your kind review. Providing personalised support is at the heart of what we do, so it’s fantastic to know you felt comfortable asking questions and received clear, helpful explanations whenever you needed them.
It’s also great to hear that you enjoyed being part of our Facebook support group, creating a sense of community and connection between learners is something we’re really proud of.
Thank you again for your kind words and for choosing Ideal Schools for your study.
The IDEAL Team
Very helpful staff and tutors
Very helpful staff and tutors. Useful study materials and assignments. I just completed the course in 9 months. I will recommend to everyone
April 15, 2026
Reply from Ideal Schools
Thank you for your kind review, Lily.
You've worked very hard to achieve your Payroll Management qualification and you should be very proud of yourself. It's been a pleasure to help you in your study and we really appreciate your recommendation.
We all hope you can out your new skills to good use.
The IDEAL Team
Very clear and straightforward…
Very clear and straightforward resources with tonnes of practice to ensure top marks. The office is always super helpful and friendly whenever I call and the tutors provide swift feedback. Thank you!
April 15, 2026
Reply from Ideal Schools
Hi Alexandra,
Thank you for your 5-star review. You've made a brilliant start to your study, completing ICB level 2 in just one month, so you should be feeling very pleased with yourself.
We appreciate the hard work you put into your study, and will continue to be here to support you as you progress further with your study.
Thank you again for your kind words, and we wish you the very best of luck as you continue with the rest of your training - you’re off to an amazing start!
The IDEAL Team
Friendly and Supportive Tutors
Ideal Schools have been supportive from the start of my bookkeeping journey. They are available for advice while you are deciding what course to take and there is no pressure to sign up to anything.
The tutors have been amazing. Assignments are always returned within 24 hours, I've even had some back the same day. The feedback is constructive and helps with my learning.
I'm looking forward to continuing my bookkeeping training with Ideal School!
March 4, 2026
Reply from Ideal Schools
Congratulations on completing your Level 2 Bookkeeping exams, Narelle, it's been a fantastic start to your bookkeeping journey!
Thank you so much for your kind review and we wish you every success as you move through the rest of your ICB Platinum Package.
We’ll be here to support you every step of the way.
The IDEAL Team
Would recommend
The tutors are very knowledgeable and helpful and with you every step of the way
March 4, 2026
Reply from Ideal Schools
Thank you so much for your 5‑star review, Lindsay, and for recommending Ideal Schools - we really appreciate it.
We’re delighted to hear that you found our tutors knowledgeable, helpful and supportive throughout your journey, we're so lucky to have such an experienced support team.
Good luck as you continue through your ICB Career Path.
The IDEAL Team
I recently completed the ICB Level 2…
I recently completed the ICB Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping with Ideal Schools. The course was well structured and practical, especially for someone balancing work, family responsibilities and pregnancy like I was.
The learning materials made double-entry bookkeeping and software understanding easier, and the tutor support was helpful whenever I had questions.
Completing this course has strengthened my confidence in bookkeeping and prepared me for the next stage of my accounting journey. I would recommend Ideal Schools to anyone starting their bookkeeping career.
March 4, 2026
Reply from Ideal Schools
Hi Uchechi,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your lovely 5‑star review — we really appreciate it.
Congratulations on completing your ICB Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping, especially while balancing work, family life and pregnancy. That’s a fantastic achievement and something you should be very proud of.
Thank you also for recommending Ideal Schools to others starting their bookkeeping journey. We’re so pleased to have supported you at this stage and wish you every success as you move on to the next chapter of your Bookkeeping career.
The IDEAL Team
I studied AAT Level 2 Accountancy with…
I studied AAT Level 2 Accountancy with Ideal Schools and had a really good experience.
The study material is clear and well explained, which made it much easier to understand the topics while studying around work and family life. The lessons build up step by step, so even the areas that felt confusing at first eventually started to make sense.
The practice assignments and revision material were particularly helpful when preparing for the exams.
After working through the course I went on to pass all four AAT Level 2 exams, and Ideal Schools definitely helped give me the foundation to do that. I’d happily recommend them to anyone thinking about starting AAT.
March 4, 2026
Reply from Ideal Schools
Huge congratulations on your exam success, Andrew, and for your kind review. We really do appreciate you taking your time to post this.
Thank you also for your recommendation, it really means a lot to us. We’ve loved supporting you on your journey and wish you every success as you take the next exciting steps in your career.
The IDEAL Team
ICB Level 3 Diploma in Payroll Management
I completed my ICB Level 3 Diploma in Payroll Management with Ideal Schools as part of their Platinum Package. The experience has been superb and Nicky has been a fabulous Tutor, even offering timely and valuable support from the other side of the world whilst on holiday. I'm not easily impressed, but I couldn't be more impressed with Ideal Schools. The study materials arrive in good time as you are completing the preceding topic. The study materials give excellent coverage of the syllabus and are easy to understand, again with superb tutorial support. I can't recommend Ideal Schools highly enough.
March 4, 2026
Reply from Ideal Schools
Hi Simon, Thank you so much for your comprehensive review and congratulations on completing your ICB Level 3 Diploma in Payroll Management.
We’re delighted to hear how positive your experience has been and your kind words about Nicky’s dedication and support, even while she was abroad, will mean a great deal to her.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and for your recommendation — it really does mean a lot to us. We wish you continued success as you continue your studies through your Platinum Package.
The IDEAL Team
Brian and his team really supported me…
Brian and his team really supported me throughout the course.
March 4, 2026
Reply from Ideal Schools
Congratulations on passing your ICB Level 2 Bookkeeping, Netanel, and for your kind review
We’re delighted to hear that Brian and the team were able to support you throughout your studies and we hope that we can help you take further steps in bookkeeping in the near future.
The IDEAL Team
Quality Course and Tutor Support
I have just completed my ICB Level 3 Bookkeeping course with Ideal Schools, achieving Distinction with Honours. I felt that I obtained this due to the quality of the course and the constant support of the team of tutors. There is a real family feel to the business, you are known when you get in touch either by phone or email and chat like old friends! Advice is always given in an easy to understand way and support is encouraging that you can achieve the topic/unit/assessment. I have always had prompt replies to any queries I had, given in a way that I could get to grips with what I was struggling with. There is no pressure - you can study at your own pace - after all, life happens and study plans can go on hold. Scot, Brian and team are there for you when you want to pick up where you left off. I have already recommended Ideal Schools to others and I will continue to do so. I really believe they were the key to my gaining my qualification and I am very grateful. I would definitely take another course with them - Level 3 Payroll and Level 4 Self Assessment are on the radar!
February 6, 2026
Reply from Ideal Schools
Hi Stephanie, Thank you so much for your comprehensive 5-star review. Congratulations on completing your ICB Level 3 Bookkeeping qualification with Distinction with Honours and achieving MICB status — a fantastic achievement you should be incredibly proud of.
We’re delighted to hear that the quality of the course and the ongoing support from our tutor team played such a key role in your success; it's what we strive for.
Your kind words about the “family feel” and the flexibility to study at your own pace mean a great deal to us. Life certainly does happen, and we’re so pleased you felt supported to step away and return when the time was right. Scot, Brian and the wider team will be especially touched to know their encouragement and guidance made such a difference to your journey.
Thank you also for recommending Ideal Schools to others — that is truly the highest compliment we could receive and we look forward to supporting you again when you’re ready to take the next steps with Payroll and Self-Assessment study. We’ll be right here when you’re ready.
The IDEAL Team
Maximum Stars!
I can’t recommend ideal schools highly enough. From start to finish, every member of staff was friendly, warm, supportive and genuinely encouraging. The learning environment felt welcoming and motivating throughout the entire course.
A very special thank you to my tutor, Louise, who gave me the courage and confidence to get through the course. Her support, reassurance and belief in me made such a difference. I didn’t find the course easy and at first I was upset with every mistake, but Louise was always so positive and reassured me that every wrong answer in the assignments or mocks, would be a correct answer in the exam. She was so right! I learned to embrace the times I got it wrong, knowing I would learn, grow and not make the mistakes again. I’m incredibly grateful for her guidance and would absolutely choose this training provider again. Thank you Ideal Schools 🙏🏽
February 11, 2026
Reply from Ideal Schools
Hi Louise,
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful and heartfelt review.
We’re delighted to hear how positive and supportive your learning experience was. Creating a welcoming, encouraging environment where learners can build confidence and grow is exactly what we strive for, so your words are incredibly rewarding to read.
Your special mention of your tutor, Louise, will mean the world to her. She is a real asset to our team, and it’s wonderful to hear how her encouragement, reassurance and belief in you helped you persevere through the challenges and ultimately succeed. Embracing mistakes as part of the learning journey is such a powerful achievement, and you should be very proud of yourself.
Congratulations on completing your self‑assessment taxation studies. We’re so pleased to have been part of your journey and would be absolutely delighted to support you again in the future.
The IDEAL Team
Having a very patient tutor always on…
Having a very patient tutor always on the end of the phone
February 6, 2026
Reply from Ideal Schools
Hi Katherine
Many thanks for your 5 star review. We are pleased to hear that you felt your tutor was patient and easy to reach. Well done on your MICB status and please get in touch if we can help with any further training. Best wishes,
The IDEAL Team
I had a good experience with Ideal…
I had a good experience with Ideal schools, the email support was great and I would definitely recommend them. I am happy with all the feedback given through my assignments and helped me achieve a Merit for my qualification.
My only slight downfall would be I wish they had some sort of classes or YouTube videos to also help, I found I needed these when revising for exams and had to search them from other providers.
February 6, 2026
Reply from Ideal Schools
Hi Priya,
Thanks for your review and congratulations from everyone here on achieving a Merit in your AAT Level 2 qualification.
There are a number of video tutorials available via the Student Portal and if you were not made aware of these, our apologies. We’re preparing to introduce monthly live tutorial drop-in sessions, launching later in the spring. These sessions will give students additional opportunities to ask questions, revisit challenging topics, and get real-time tutor support. While this may not necessarily assist you, we hope this will reassure you that we take all student feedback on board and do our best to improve accordingly.
We are pleased that you felt that the email support and experience was positive and that you would recommend us overall.
Please don't hesitate to contact us if we can assist with any further training needs.
Best wishes,
The IDEAL Team
Very happy to have passed the ICB Self…
Very happy to have passed the ICB Self Assessment Course with Ideal Schools!
February 6, 2026
Reply from Ideal Schools
Hi Emma,
Thanks for the 5 star review and a big well done from us for achieving your ICB SAT qualification.
Please keep in touch if we can help with further training at any point and best wishes from everyone here.
The IDEAL Team
Amazing Support and Outstanding Tutors!
Ideal Schools has been a great experience for me. The support I’ve received has made a real difference in my learning and confidence. I especially want to mention Caryl and Scot, who are amazing tutors. They have supported me so much, always taking the time to explain things clearly and encourage me when I needed it most. Their patience and dedication really stand out. I’m very grateful for their help and for the supportive environment at Ideal Schools.
February 6, 2026
Reply from Ideal Schools
Hi Ernesta,
Thanks for taking the time to leave this 5 star review. We are delighted to hear that you feel you have had tutorial support that has made all the difference. Your own hard work has, of course, helped a great deal and we congratulate you on achieving MICB status and passing L4 SAT also. Please continue to reach out to the team as you work your way through the remaining L4 subjects.
The IDEAL Team
Love Ideal Schools!
This is the second time I have used Ideal Schools for my studies, and have just completed level 4 SA with ICB.
The study material was great and the workbook questions really helped with understanding. Louise was always on hand when I had questions and marked work within 48 hours, giving coaching on areas where mistakes were made, along with model answers so you could practice again.
As always, the whole team have been great and responsive, and I would use the school again and again.
January 14, 2026
Reply from Ideal Schools
Hi Gemma,
Thanks so much for taking the time to leave this 5 star review and congratulations on completing your Self-Assessment Taxation course!
We are pleased to hear you found the study materials and tutor support helpful and look forward to supporting to you with further training as required.
The IDEAL Team
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