How we teach at our online school

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, later, Deputy Head of Academics and, later still, 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.

Fiona comes from a fine art background and is an arts educator with over 20 years’ experience teaching and leading teams in independent and international schools.

Fiona’s previous role was as Faculty Head for Art and Design, at an ESF school in Hong Kong and at King’s InterHigh was Head of the Arts Faculty, including English, Modern Foreign Languages, Art, Photography, Music, Drama, Media and Film studies. As Head of Administration, she applies her leadership expertise to manage our administration teams, ensuring the smooth operation and delivery of our online education programmes.

As our Head of Key Stage 2, Dr. Penny Alston is committed to providing a safe, nurturing environment for students in Years 3 to 6, aged seven to 11. She brings with her over 30 years of experience teaching and leading schools around the world. To ensure students get the best primary school experience, she is constantly pursuing new growth and development opportunities, and has even recently earned her PhD in curriculum studies and school management.

Previously serving as Preparatory School Headmistress at our fellow Inspired school, Reddam House Umhlanga, she joined King’s InterHigh in 2021 because our school’s philosophy resonates deeply with her passion for whole child development. She particularly enjoys bringing innovative technologies and new ideas to the classroom to engage students and provide them with the best education.

Jasmine is our Head of Key Stage 3 and brings extensive experience and a deep commitment to driving equality, diversity and inclusion in school environments. She holds a BA Hons, an MA in Education, and a National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH). Starting her career as a Religious Studies teacher in Brighton, she quickly took on various leadership roles, Student Voice Coordinator, Able and Talented Coordinator, and Head of Behaviour. Her passion for equality, diversity, and inclusion has been a driving force throughout her career, shaping her approach to leadership.

Jasmine has also served as a Vice Principal within a multi-academy trust in London, where she continued to advocate for inclusive practices. As our Head of Key Stage 3, she is dedicated to helping our students receive the best education and reach their full potential.

Ray Boxall brings extensive school leadership experience and a deep commitment to creating innovative and inclusive school environments to his role as Head of Senior School. With a PGCE from the UCL Institute of Education, an MA in Educational Leadership from the University of Warwick, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology of Education from the University of Manchester, Ray has impressive pedagogical expertise.

Whilst teaching in London during the first part of his 20-year teaching career, Ray quickly progressed to serve as a Director of Learning and then as Deputy Headteacher at an outstanding, oversubscribed academy in an Inner London borough. Ray’s previous role at King’s InterHigh was Head of SEN Services where he led our programmes of support for our large cohort of learners with additional needs. He is now delighted to be leading Key Stage 4 where he will be focused on ensuring that students achieve excellent outcomes in an environment where they feel supported to thrive and enjoy learning.

Viktoria brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to education and leadership to King’s InterHigh. After earning both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education from Germany, her journey began with teaching English and German to adults and volunteering with primary school children from diverse backgrounds, including international refugees.

Her career has progressed through various roles in comprehensive and grammar schools, leading to leadership positions such as Assistant Headteacher and Head of Sixth Form in London. With a strong focus on Key Stage 5 education and research, she has consistently guided students seamlessly from secondary school to the next stages of their lives. A dedication to student welfare has been central to her work, including her role as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring that every young person is supported and protected.

Beyond classroom responsibilities, she has contributed to the broader educational landscape by designing national exams in Germany, serving as a public examiner in the UK, and volunteering as a safeguarding governor at a primary school in London. Since 2019, she has also organised the annual KS3 German Study Day at the British Film Institute, promoting cultural education and enriching students’ learning experiences.

Her commitment to global learning extends to having led educational trips across Asia, North America, and beyond, enriching both her students’ experiences and her own. A passionate traveller, she also enjoys exploring new destinations privately, further broadening her perspectives.

Tahoora’s teaching career began in state schools and multi-academy trusts, where she eventually progressed to a vice principal role. After several years of this, she moved to the UAE to work in school leadership positions. While here, she took on as many duties as possible, including inspection work and ministry remits.

As an experienced education leader, Tahoora is responsible for guiding King’s InterHigh’s learners on the Gulf Standard Time and the Southeast Asia timetable. By studying on any of our universal timetables students can access a British education from our UK qualified teachers, on a schedule that suits them.