The top 3 questions parents have when starting online school

You might have already learned about the curriculum, the teaching model, or the enrolment process, but what about the day-to-day? How does studying online work, who do you talk to when you have a question, and how do students make friends?

These are some of the most common questions we hear from new families every year, and knowing the answers can help make your child’s move to King’s InterHigh a smooth and confident experience.

“How does it all work?”

You’re not alone if online learning feels like unfamiliar territory. Even if your child studied remotely during the pandemic, a real online school is a completely different experience from distance learning. As a result, for many parents, the practical questions come first: how do you get set up for online learning, and what does the experience look like?

Transitioning to online school

With flexible enrolment and a welcoming induction programme, we’ve designed the online school transition process to be as smooth as possible. New joiners receive their timetables and school logins within a few days of joining, and our induction includes helpful walkthroughs and time to ask questions so every family can get familiar with how things work.

Easing into the new journey with an induction day also gives parents and students time to settle in, explore, and ensure they’ve got everything set up to make the first day of lessons feel much more exciting than overwhelming.

Joining online classes

At King’s InterHigh, each day starts by turning on a laptop or desktop computer and logging into the Student Hub: each student’s one-stop platform for everything they need at school. From the Student Hub, students can then view their timetable and join each lesson in a virtual classroom.

Virtual classrooms are a lot like physical spaces; your child can see their teacher and classmates, they can participate in discussions, and more. The added advantage is that online classrooms come with additional features you wouldn’t find in-person, like polls, quizzes, and more ways to interact.

What’s great is that you don’t need a complicated setup for King’s InterHigh. In fact, most families will already have suitable equipment at home. Your child will need an internet connection that’s reliable enough for video calls, and we provide access to all the tools and applications they’ll need for their lessons and schoolwork.

Creating a study space

One of the beauties of learning from home is that you can set up your child’s learning space to fit their needs and interests. Some families transform a spare room into a study spot, while other students carve out a corner of their bedroom as a school zone. The key is consistency: we find that having a space that signals “this is where I learn” helps children transition into their school mindset each day.

When choosing the right place for your child to learn, remember that good lighting prevents eye strain, and a quiet location away from household activity will help your child concentrate fully on their lessons. Most families also find that a good, ergonomic desk and chair make a big difference to their child’s comfort and focus throughout the school day.

Gathering school supplies

Through their King’s InterHigh logins, students can access everything from digital textbooks to useful apps right at their fingertips. Of course, while we are an online school, students do plenty of work away from the screen too. So, physical school supplies still play their part. We provide guidance on all the materials your child will need for their chosen subjects (such as art supplies), and everyday items like a printer and scanner can be useful too.

“Who will be my child’s go-to person?”

Without the routine of a school gate where you might catch a teacher for a quick word, you may be wondering how communication works in an online school. At King’s InterHigh, personal connections and strong communication are some of the pillars that power our community, so we make sure students and parents alike always know who to turn to.

Your child’s main champion: tutors

Every student at King’s InterHigh is part of a Reflect group, similar to a form or homeroom, and every group has its own Reflect tutor. Your child’s tutor will be someone who gets to know them well as an individual and becomes their consistent point of contact throughout their school journey.

Reflect tutors are a child’s go-to for personal development and wellbeing, leading weekly group sessions on important life topics. They’re also there for one-to-one conversations, and they maintain contact with parents at key points throughout the year. In our primary school, the equivalent of this role is our class teachers, who also teach students for all of their core subjects for a combination of familiarity in learning and nurturing pastoral care.

When you join King’s InterHigh, you’ll hear from your child’s tutor within the first few weeks of learning so they can introduce themselves and understand how best to support your child.

Different teams for different needs

Beyond individual tutors, King’s InterHigh also has dedicated teams on hand to support families through specific areas of school life. We have a Family Liaison team for each key stage, for example, who are there to answer questions at any time. Our exam team guides families of IGCSE, A Level, and IB Diploma students through examinations, while our technical support team helps parents and students get any IT hiccups resolved quickly. For academic questions about specific subjects, parents can connect directly with their child’s teacher. Families with students who have special educational needs, meanwhile, can speak to our SEN team when needed.

There are also lots of ways to get in touch with us for help or information. We have a Live Chat service on our website and a WhatsApp channel, which are great for quick answers. For more in-depth guidance, parents can email Family Liaisons and teachers, book video calls with teachers each week, and more.

You have the freedom to reach out to us in whatever way suits your needs at King’s InterHigh, and this network of staff invested in your child’s achievement means there’s always someone with the answer you need.

“How will my child make friends?”

Just like any school, King’s InterHigh gives students plenty of opportunities to meet new people comfortably and make friends for life. If you’re wondering how socialisation works in an online environment, here are just a few of the ways our students connect with each other.

Clubs for different interests

With dozens of clubs for each age group running every term, children can bond with their classmates over shared passions. Students can join multiple weekly clubs per term, and there are so many interests to choose from: sculpture, Minecraft, drama, yoga, and so many more. Rotating through clubs also means that students get to meet different groups of classmates throughout the year, building a diverse friendship group.

Tight-knit Reflect sessions

Reflect groups meet weekly, with the same students coming together to discuss everything from goals to challenges to the wider world. This tight-knit setting allows students to open up comfortably with their teachers and classmates, sharing experiences and achievements with each other.

Digital spaces to chat

For students aged 13 and above, we have a safe, monitored school social platform where students can talk casually with each other or join interest groups to share their hobbies. For our younger students, our virtual reality (VR) playgrounds are the perfect fun space to meet other children and form bonds through play and activity.

Exciting leadership opportunities

Our Student Council brings together representatives from different year groups to collaborate on school initiatives, giving representatives a meaningful way to connect with their fellow council members and their wider year group. Our buddy system, meanwhile, pairs existing students with newcomers, creating immediate social bridges for learners joining throughout the year.

Plenty of ways to meet in person

And, of course, friendships at King’s InterHigh aren’t restricted to the screen. Throughout the year, we run a calendar of educational trips, casual meetups, and more in the UK and beyond, giving students the opportunity to see their classmates in person and build their confidence together.