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Article February 2, 2026

King’s InterHigh is officially accredited by the Department of Education under OEAS

By Catriona Olsen

We are thrilled to announce that King's InterHigh has officially been accredited by the UK government’s Department for Education under the Online Education Accreditation Scheme (OEAS). Over the last twenty years, we have been proudly offering a high-quality, holistic education to students across the world, and are proud to see our high-quality provision recognised.

Our rigorous British curriculum prepares our students for the next steps in the academic journey and the world of work, but it’s the quality of our teaching and our personalised care that really makes King's InterHigh a unique place for each of our students to learn and grow.

What this accreditation means for us 

As an accredited online Cambridge International school, a Pearson Edexcel Approved Online Centre, and the provider of the world’s first fully online IB Diploma Programme, we are proud to be at the forefront of innovation in the education sector, and even prouder to see our the quality of our curriculum and teaching approaches being recognised by UK governmental bodies. 

This recognition not only validates the quality of our educational offerings but also reinforces our position as a credible and effective schooling options. We have students from 120 countries and understand how important it is for them and their families to be assured that they are receiving a world-class education that delivers recognised outcomes and truly prepares them for the next chapters of their lives. 

Our IGCSE, A Level, and IB qualifications are widely recognised by further education providers and leading universities around the world. In the last academic year alone, one in four of our students in the UK secured offers from Russell Group universities, including King’s College London, Cambridge University, the University of Manchester, the University of Birmingham, and the University of Glasgow. Beyond the UK, our students have gained admission to prestigious institutions such as Yale, pursuing a diverse range of courses. 

Our OEAS accreditation provides further confirmation of the high-quality education we consistently deliver. Yet, we aim to do far more than meet minimum standards – we are committed to championing innovation in online education and make it as inclusive and accessible as possible for every student. 

Read more about our accreditations and access our OEAS report here

About the Online Education Accreditation Scheme 

The OEAS is a non-statutory initiative developed by the Department for Education to provide a framework for quality assurance in the online education sector. It is specifically aimed at providers offering full-time online education to children of compulsory school age in England. Accreditation under this scheme reflects our adherence to high standards of education and safeguarding, increasing public confidence in online education as a credible and effective learning option. 

The accreditation process 

Our journey to accreditation involved a comprehensive process, including suitability checks and a thorough assessment by Ofsted, the quality assurance body for the scheme. Ofsted conducted an accreditation visit to evaluate whether we meet the online education standards set by the Department for Education, attended our online lessons, and spoke with some of our brilliant teachers and leaders about our teaching approaches and resources at King’s InterHigh. The outcome of this visit is a report detailing the standards we meet, which is accessible to students, families, and the public. Below are just some of the highlights. 

Key highlights from our OEAS report 

Teaching quality 

“A key strength of King’s InterHigh is the way in which staff hold high expectations for pupils while also meeting their individual needs and interests. Teaching takes account of pupils’ abilities and aptitudes, and promotes self-motivation, independence and confidence.” 

Safeguarding 

“At King’s InterHigh, leaders and staff work resolutely and proactively to ensure that all its pupils remain safe, secure and well cared for…[They] are supported by an extensive and experienced global safeguarding team.”   

Leadership 

“Leaders work tirelessly to realise their ambition of combining the finest elements of a traditional, physical school with those of an online setting. As a result, pupils receive high-quality teaching, underpinned by an innovative use of resources, as well as opportunities to socialise with their peers (…).” 

Global mindedness 

“Leaders at King’s InterHigh have put social, moral, spiritual and cultural education at the centre of its curriculum provision. Pupils learn about a wide range of other cultures and beliefs through a well-planned, sequential curriculum.” 

Pastoral support 

“Whether through the ‘question and answer’ function in lessons, or sessions with reflect tutors, staff take time to ensure that pupils feel safe, secure and have someone with whom they can share any concerns. Pupils and their parents appreciate this level of care and support.” 

Career support 

“Staff have put in place a structured and impartial careers programme that supports pupils in their next steps of education, training and employment. Pupils benefit from the setting’s close relationships with universities and employers.” 

Breaking moulds and setting standards 

We believe that online education provides the flexibility and accessibility that students need to thrive in a non-traditional learning environment. Our accreditation stands as a testament to our commitment to ensuring that online education is recognised for its ability to deliver a high-quality, comprehensive curriculum. 

Thank you for being such an important part of our school community. Your continued support and engagement are invaluable as we work together to nurture a thriving, supportive environment. You can read more about our accreditations and access the OEAS report here. If you have any questions about OEAS or accreditation in general, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team.  

Catriona Olsen
Executive Headteacher 

By Catriona Olsen

Catriona Olsen is the Executive Head of King’s InterHigh, having taken up the role in July 2023 after previously serving as our Head of the Senior School.

She holds a BA in Information Systems Management and a Postgraduate Diploma in Secondary Education Computing from the University of Edinburgh. Her career spans senior leadership roles in the UK and internationally, including Assistant Principal at a large academy in London and Deputy Head of Academics and later College Head at Reddam House Durbanville in South Africa, part of the Inspired Education group of schools.

As Executive Head, Catriona draws on extensive leadership experience to set the strategic direction of the school, with a clear focus on ensuring we deliver high-quality, inclusive education and robust safeguarding and welfare arrangements that protect and support every pupil.

VAT charges explained

The UK Government has implemented a policy to charge VAT on independent schools taking effect from the 1st of January 2025. This VAT charge is payable by families who are based in, or access, King’s InterHigh from the UK. This change does not impact families who are based outside the UK and access King’s InterHigh from another country.

We understand the significant financial commitment you make in choosing our online school as well as how important it is to be able to financially plan. After careful review of the details of the legislation, we will support parents by absorbing costs ourselves, so that a slower phasing in of this unwelcome change reduces its financial impact on families.

For the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year (starting September 2024), Inspired Education Group will absorb much of the 20% VAT charge. For the Spring and Summer terms when the 20% VAT will now apply, we will only pass on 8.5% to families, taking up the difference ourselves.

To further support families with the financial implications of this change in government policy, for the 2025-2026 academic year (starting in September 2025) there will be no inflationary tuition fee increases, and that Inspired Education Group will continue to absorb costs to limit the increase to 8.5% for that academic year. Overall, this will mean we have phased in 17% of the 20% VAT cost over two years to avoid sudden increases for families and have not increased tuition fees.

King’s InterHigh is committed to offering competitive fees and accessible, high-quality independent education, along with the unique benefits of online learning. We are pleased that through careful cost control and the benefits of being part of Inspired, the leading global group of premium schools, we can significantly reduce the financial effect on families due to this change in UK VAT policy.

For a full breakdown of our fees, please use our fees calculator.

Technology integration fee

This fee contributes to the development of our Inspired Al tools and our investment in best-in-class technology to enhance online student learning.

Deposit fee

If opting for monthly payments, a deposit will be held on your account.