Celebrating 20 years of King’s InterHigh: A look back at our incredible journey 

This year marks a monumental milestone for us at King’s InterHigh — our 20th anniversary. Over two decades, thousands of families worldwide have entrusted us with their children’s education, and together we’ve built a truly global and connected learning community. A lot has changed, but one thing has remained constant: our unwavering commitment to providing high-quality, flexible, and inclusive education.

What began in 2005 with just a handful of students and teachers in Crickhowell, Wales, has grown into an international network, connecting young people in different time zones, supporting diverse learning needs, and giving families the flexibility to shape education around their lives.

Our humble beginnings

Our story started in 2005, when our founders, Jacqueline Daniell and Paul Daniell, recognised that traditional educational models didn’t meet the needs of every student. They built King’s InterHigh (then InterHigh) with a clear mission: to make high-quality education accessible to every student, no matter their location, personal circumstances, or learning needs.

At a time when the concept of online education was still in its infancy, we were true pioneers, to such an extent that we were featured by the BBC in June 2005, even before our first academic year started.

At that time, we already had our very first 40 families registered, and many parents were receptive of the idea of online learning. From a small team of educators and innovators, we have transformed into a global leader in online education.

How our school evolved over the years

In 2013, InterHigh was acquired by Wey Education PLC. Later in 2021, Wey was acquired by Inspired Education Group, a global network of over 121 premium schools educating more than 95,000 students across five continents. InterHigh then merged with King’s College Online to become King’s InterHigh.

Since our latest merger, we have significantly expanded our reach and enhanced our offerings. We have embraced new technologies, expanded our curriculum, and reached students in over 122 countries. From introducing cutting-edge virtual learning platforms to offering the first fully online International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, we have stayed at the forefront of educational innovation.

Just a few moments that shaped our school and the families we serve

2005, 5 September: First classes

Our online school was officially open, and our students began learning remotely for the first time. Just two years later, our students sat their first GCSE exams. In 2009, we extended our curriculum delivery to include Sixth Form (A Levels), supporting a new cohort of students in gaining qualifications recognised by universities worldwide.

2013: First ISO 9001 certification

ISO 9001 is an internationally recognised standard for quality management, ensuring organisations consistently meet customer and stakeholder requirements. For a school like ours, this certification demonstrated our commitment to clear processes, continuous improvement, and accountability, giving students, parents, and staff confidence in our quality and reliability.

2019: A global network of students

By 2019, we had grown to educate students from over 100 countries, establishing a truly global and vibrant community and making our school a melting pot of cultures, perspectives, and experiences. The ability to collaborate with peers from different backgrounds is one of the unique advantages of an online education, and we celebrate the richness this diversity brings to our classrooms.

2021: Expansion to Middle East (and later Southeast Asia)

Originally, our live lessons were scheduled according to UK time. In 2021, we introduced live lessons in a Middle East time zone to better support families in or around the region. The lessons follow the same British curriculum and are delivered by our expert teachers, just at times that suit students’ schedules. Then, in 2023, we expanded even further with live lessons in a Southeast Asia time zone, making our high-quality education accessible to even more students across the world.

2021: Joining the Inspired Education Group

In 2021, we joined the Inspired Education Group, the leading global group of premium schools, with 121 schools across 28 countries. Inspired schools consistently rank among the highest-performing worldwide and are renowned for academic excellence and holistic development. By joining Inspired, we gained access to world-class resources, innovative teaching practices, and a collaborative community of educators.

2022: First Online IB Diploma Programme

In 2022, King’s InterHigh became the first school in the world to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) entirely online. This pioneering initiative combined the rigour of the IB’s comprehensive curriculum with the flexibility of online learning, enabling students worldwide to access a prestigious qualification.

2023: Introducing online exams

In the summer of 2023, King’s InterHigh collaborated with Pearson to conduct a remote invigilation pilot. This program enabled 150 candidates to complete their exams from home. Now, our students can sit their exams entirely online for most of their IGCSE subjects. Plus, in 2025/2026, we will be introducing remote exam invigilation for A Level studies too.

2023: Achieving our Cambridge accreditation

In July 2023, King’s InterHigh proudly became a fully accredited Cambridge International School. This accreditation, awarded by Cambridge Assessment International Education, highlights our commitment to providing a high-quality curriculum that fosters key learner attributes such as confidence, responsibility, innovation, and engagement.

2025: Introducing Hooty McCluety

As part of our 20th anniversary celebrations, we’re thrilled to welcome a very special new member of the family: Hooty McCluety, our first ever school mascot. Born in the heart of our Whispering Woods, Hooty is more than a cheerful face – he represents the core values we hold dear: courage, kindness, curiosity, and confidence.

My reflections on 20 years of King’s InterHigh

As we look back on the past 20 years, I am struck by both the scale of our growth and the impact our community has had. Having started in 2005 with a small group of students, we are now trusted by 6,000 families across 120 countries. Along the way, more than 11,500 young people have studied with us, each with their own ambitions, challenges, and stories to tell.

For some, King’s InterHigh was a stepping stone during a move overseas or a period when traditional schooling wasn’t the most suitable option. For others, it became the place where they completed their GCSEs, A Levels, or International Baccalaureate and prepared for exciting careers. Today, our alumni community includes undergraduates at leading universities around the world, entrepreneurs, athletes, and creatives who continue to chart their own paths.

We’ve been recognised for our innovation and impact, having received multiple awards on our use of technology and quality of education both in the UK and internationally. Just last year, we were named Best Online School in Singapore by Which School Advisor, and received an award for Best Use of Technology from Talk Education for Innovation in Education.

But while awards, numbers and destinations tell part of the story, what matters most is how students experience their time with us. Across two decades, I have seen how online learning can nurture independence, resilience, and confidence. I have seen students collaborate across time zones and form friendships that span continents, achieve their goals both academically and outside of school, and grow as well-rounded individuals with newfound confidence and motivation.

When we pioneered live, online lessons in 2005, no one could have predicted the educational landscape we see today. The journey hasn’t always been straightforward, but it has always been driven by a simple commitment: to meet learners where they are and to give every student the chance to thrive. That principle has remained constant through every new programme, every innovation, and every challenge we’ve faced.

As we mark this anniversary, my reflections are not centred on what has been achieved, but on what has been learned. We’ve learned that education truly has no borders. We’ve seen how technology, used with care and purpose, can open doors to opportunity. Most of all, we’ve come to understand that the real success measure of an online school lies in the families who place their trust in us and the students who learn and grow with us.

Continuing our journey together

As we mark 20 years of King’s InterHigh, we’re reminded that our story is really about the students and families who have been part of it. Thousands of young people have discovered new confidence, flexibility, and opportunities through online learning, and parents have found support and stability for their families.

The next chapter will build on this foundation. We’ll continue to listen, adapt, and innovate, always with students’ needs at the centre, so that families around the world can access high-quality education that fits their lives.

Thank you to everyone who has shaped our journey so far. Here’s to the years ahead, and the learning, growth, and opportunities we’ll create together.