Online schooling can unlock a new world of opportunity and achievement. And at schools like King’s InterHigh, that flexibility isn’t just about the way lessons are delivered, but in the qualifications on offer. Here, students can not only study for their GCSE and A-levels fully online, but also enrol in the IB diploma programme which is now available online.
The IB diploma is available in the UK time zone, but it can be accessed internationally. This globally recognised diploma, with its ethos of shaping well-rounded learners who think critically and creatively, is popular with young people who want to continue with a broader education ahead of university, says Rebecca Markham, the school’s IB theory of knowledge coordinator.
Rather than specialising in three or four subjects as they would at A-level, students choose six subjects spanning the fields of language and literature, language acquisition, individuals and societies, sciences, maths and the arts. They must also complete the “DP core” by studying theory of knowledge, carrying out projects focused on creativity, activity and service and writing a 4,000-word extended essay on a subject of their choice. If they want, they can swap the arts subject for an extra one in science, languages, or individuals and societies.
“The IB really pushes bringing your own experiences and background to the classroom,” says Markham. “It trains students to question their own assumptions and have genuine curiosity into the world around them, rather than accepting everything they’re being told as truth.”
The King’s InterHigh team works carefully to help students decide which qualification suits them best, based on their academic strengths and learning needs. A-levels give the opportunity to study the subjects they shine in at greater depth, without the need to continue with others they may not be as interested in.
And while IB students must attend classes in real time and keep their cameras and microphones on, A-level students can watch recordings of lessons and stay off-camera in live sessions if they wish. A-levels can be well suited to young people balancing their education with other activities, such as burgeoning acting careers, while the option to stay off-screen can help pupils dealing with issues such as anxiety.
