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Offering a first-class British education to pupils wherever they are in the world, King’s InterHigh is a pioneer of online learning – and the gold standard of virtual schooling. As part of the group of schools (which boasts over 100 bricks-and-mortar schools across five continents), it cleverly combines a fully remote education with the resources and expertise of a truly global community, while offering a hugely successful alternative to mainstream school at a fraction of the price.
Where is King's InterHigh?
Everywhere and anywhere. All pupils need is access to a computer and an internet connection, logging in and joining lessons and activities from absolutely anywhere in the world: their bedroom, the airport or even backstage or on the side of a pitch while juggling a professional career. Lessons are designed and optimised for online delivery, and are taught by experienced British-qualified teachers. For those looking for a truly British education from the comfort of their home, King’s InterHigh is the industry standard and pioneer of this concept.
The school currently operates from three separate branches (and three time zones) in the UK, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Lessons are both live and pre-recorded, so if students are unable to join live lessons, it's a breeze to catch up – and every pupil’s schedule is completely flexible and designed to fit around other commitments, whatever they may be.
Head
Executive head Catriona Olsen oversees all three branches of the school –and her master’s in secondary education and computing means she has an astonishing understanding of the benefits of applying technology to learning. Originally from Ireland, she’s also taught across the world, beginning her career in London before moving to South Africa to take up the role of College Head at Reddam House Durbanville, and then landing at King’s Interhigh.
Section heads take responsibility for different age groups in the senior school. Fiona Henderson – who has 20 years of experience as a teacher in Cyprus, Hong Kong and the UK after initially training as an art specialist – heads the middle school (Years 7 to 9), ensuring pupils feel sufficiently supported to learn and grow during this key stage of their education.
The admissions process at King's InterHigh
King’s InterHigh prides itself on its brilliantly flexible offering, which also applies to its admissions process, and pupils can join at any point in the academic year. Some exceptions remain for IB Diploma candidates and very late joiners to the sixth form. It’s entirely non-selective (up until the sixth form), and the only admissions requirement is a decent level of English, as well as proven curiosity and potential. Many pupils join when traditional schooling has failed for one reason or another – from bullying and anxiety to professional commitments – while others are expats keen to access the full British curriculum. Over 10,000 pupils have passed through the school since it opened in 2005.
There’s a new intake in the sixth form, where student numbers reach their peak. For the IB Diploma programme, prospective pupils are invited to take part in an online interview which is used to gauge their learning style and uncover their motivations for joining the school. Pupils must also submit a letter of application and a piece of work of their choice. Anyone wishing to study the IB programme needs at least seven GCSEs at grade six or above, including English and maths.
Academics and destinations
King's InterHigh's academic ethos is based on totally bespoke learning, with flexible timetables designed to fit around most schedules. Teachers are experts in their subjects (many even have PhDs), with much experience of the British independent-school system. It’s worth knowing that the school has a dedicated SEND team on hand too, so King's InterHigh provides a highly effective solution for children with learning difficulties that make going to an in-person school tricky.
The school runs a live timetable, but every lesson is recorded so it can be revisited at any time, with subject materials and resources available 24/7. Pupils are expected to actively participate in lessons, with discussion and debate strongly encouraged, and online breakout rooms, chats, polls and quizzes used to bring an interactive element into each virtual classroom. Pupils can even strap on VR headsets (or enjoy the same experience through their computer screens, thanks to clever software) during science, geography and history lessons to help bring learning to life. However, there’s no pressure to turn cameras on, and the school is a wonderfully safe environment for those who might have different requirements or who have previously suffered from anxiety in a more traditional school setting.
Most subjects include both a ‘Lead’ (seminar-style) lesson and an ‘Explore’ (tutorial-style) session to ignite group discussion and collaboration, while ongoing formative and summative assessments keep parents in the loop about their child’s progress. That said, these are very much designed to help consolidate learning, rather than put undue pressure on pupils.
Pupils in Years 7 to 9 study the core subjects of maths, English and sciences. On top of this, they can choose up to five additional subjects, including art, computer science, film studies, French, history and drama. Pupils work towards iGCSEs, with the subject list expanding to include Arabic, psychology and religious studies. Pupils can also complement their studies with additional courses in health and wellbeing, computer games and international relations.
Following a rigorous application process, the school recently became an accredited Cambridge International School, a testament to the brilliant curriculum and high standard of education.
In 2022, King’s InterHigh became the first school in the world to offer the . This was a natural next step – the Inspired group already has a formidable reputation and incredibly strong track record in the internationally recognised diploma, and the programme at King’s InterHigh puts a similarly strong focus on critical thinking skills, the theory of knowledge and cross-curricular activities, including sport, service and volunteering.
Sixth-formers also have the option of studying towards A-levels, with over 20 subjects to choose from. In 2023, 43 per cent of pupils scored A*-A, highlighting the impressive outcomes of a non-selective, fully online schooling module. Staff are on hand to provide UCAS and university-related advice, and pupils head off to top universities around the world, including Oxbridge. Just under half set their sights on Russell Group universities in the UK.
Co-curricular at King's InterHigh
While you certainly won’t find acres of manicured playing fields, state-of-the-art theatres or a fully equipped art studio, there are still plenty of opportunities for pupils to get stuck into co-curricular enrichment. For many, music, art, performing arts or sport will already be a huge part of what they do outside of the classroom, and indeed a main motivation for choosing an online school, meaning they can fit their education around their busy lives.
There’s a whole host of online clubs to sign up to, from babysitting to cookery to chess. Visiting speakers often log on to lead lectures, and pupils can play their part in the school council and write for the student newspaper – and an exciting new partnership with the Royal College of Music and the online platform Forte means pupils can now access music lessons (taught by some of the world’s best music teachers) wherever they are in the world.
As King's InterHigh is part of Inspired ÍÑ¿ã°É, they team up with Inspired schools across the globe to host summer camps, exchanges and activity sessions during the school holidays, allowing pupils to access fun-filled and educational in-person experiences, from fashion and design to sailing and tennis.
King's InterHigh school community
Pupil wellbeing and pastoral care are top priorities, with huge importance put on human connection and general ‘life guidance’. Each pupil at King's InterHigh has their own dedicated form and peer tutor, who stays in close contact to keep track of their progress and help identify areas in need of support or challenge, while safeguarding staff are available at all hours. Virtual assemblies led by Catriona Olsen are an opportunity to bring the whole school community together, while a tight-knit house structure helps develop friendships across year groups while fostering a healthy dose of competition through regular inter-house competitions and events.
Online safety is taken seriously, and pupils stay in touch via a secure virtual-hangout facility, as well as King’s InterHigh’s very own social media platform. Catriona believes the school has a greater measure of control if there are any signs of pupils behaving negatively towards others – the online model enables them to be removed from the conversation until they are ready to act positively in their lesson group and towards their peers.
Timetabled ‘Walk Away from the Computer’ sessions are designed to encourage pupils to reflect and appreciate the environment around them, and prevent them from being permanently glued to a screen. And while there is no uniform, pupils can snap up King’s InterHigh hoodies, which are often worn with pride during online lessons.
And finally....
This is a genuinely international, welcoming community for pupils from all walks of life, and offers a winning solution for anyone for whom traditional schooling doesn’t fit the bill. Online schooling certainly isn’t for everyone, but for the right child, King’s InterHigh hits all the right notes.