For some students, the traditional route of three to four subjects at A-level is ideal. They can focus on their strongest subjects with a view to specialising at university. But what about academic all-rounders or those with their sights set on international higher education options? A more flexible approach may be needed. One that enables 16- to 19-year-olds to take advantage of a diverse range of subjects, boost their critical thinking skills and log in to purpose-built virtual classrooms wherever there’s wifi.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma is academically rigorous and forward thinking, preparing teenagers for both university and life beyond. It sees students take on six subjects across two years, three at a standard level and three at a higher level, to encourage greater depth of learning. There’s also an extended essay (a 4,000-word independent research project), a theory of knowledge component that supports critical thinking skills and one that covers creativity, activity and service.
King’s InterHigh was the first school to deliver the diploma online, and according to Rebecca Markham, its IB theory of knowledge coordinator, the flexibility of the IB is especially beneficial for students who need to travel. “If, for example, families work away, students can go with them rather than having to stay at home. It’s super flexible in that sense because you can study from anywhere.”
The online school has supported many promising young athletes in their studies, one of whom is IB graduate Varun. He managed to combine a burgeoning tennis career with academic excellence when he moved from Geneva back to India in 2024 because of his father’s work. Having started the diploma in Switzerland, he was able to continue with his IB studies through online studies and go on to earn a place at the prestigious Yale University.
The online IB diploma gives students a global education in all senses of the word. As well as preparing teens for international university systems that require multidisciplinary qualifications, it also helps nurture a worldview. There’s built-in reflection on why they’re learning what they’re learning and, as Markham explains, a diverse student body from 130 countries: “They’ve got opportunities to socialise and work with people all around the world, because we have students in so many places.”
Accessibility is a major factor, and this gives teens who are highly educationally engaged but may struggle to make it to a physical school the chance to excel (they may be dealing with sensory issues, chronic illness or disabilities). As well as personalised, inclusive learning plans, Markham highlights the fact that students can send teachers messages privately during lessons, which helps prevent them from falling behind.
There’s also King’s InterHigh’s technology, which is far more sophisticated than a simple video call. The school has purpose-built online classrooms with learning pods and interactive resources. Students also have access to virtual reality lessons, so they can conduct science experiments from their homes – without any risk of setting the curtains alight or melting the kitchen table!
Reviewing and revising topics is easy as all King’s InterHigh lessons are recorded and uploaded to a digital library. “Every lesson is a resource to revisit, which is quite unique,” Markham says. This makes it simple to catch up if students have missed class for any reason. It’s something that has been vital for successful IB student Varun, who explains that the time zone difference between India and the UK worked well with his training schedule and, with the lessons available online, he could compete in as many tournaments as possible. Not only did he achieve top marks in his IB diploma, he also gained admission to Yale University as an athlete while rising up the world junior tennis rankings.
Mindset and motivations matter when it comes to success with the IB diploma. King’s InterHigh’s IB diploma students are a varied bunch, from junior tennis stars to budding marine biologists, but one thing they all have in common is a love of learning and a commitment to their studies. Markham says students “embrace opportunities to reflect on their own work, on their own progress. They really want to be challenged by education and make the most of the two years.”
In return, they gain invaluable skills for adult life, as Varun explains: “I’ve learned to manage my time effectively, stay disciplined, and take responsibility for my learning – skills that I believe will serve me well at university and beyond.”
Find out more about King’s InterHigh and how its ambitious approach to schooling makes a world of difference
