New year, new way of learning: Jumping into online education in 2025
The new year is often synonymous with life changes, whether that is investing time in a new hobby, quitting a bad habit, or simply taking the leap to try something new. While you don’t need to wait until the countdown and fireworks are over to make or reevaluate crucial decisions, the end of the year can be a fantastic opportunity for reflection.
One significant area that parents tend to review carefully is their children’s education. As we enter 2025, have you considered whether your children’s education meets their needs? Or could there be another option that enables your child to learn more freely, travel more often, or simply gain more life skills for the future?
Whether due to relocation, changes in family circumstances, or the desire for a more personalised learning experience, parents often find themselves questioning their child’s current schooling. In this context, online education has become a practical solution for families seeking greater flexibility, consistent quality, and a seamless learning experience that can adapt to their child’s unique needs.
The good news is that if you do find that your children’s current school is not meeting their needs, you don’t need to wait until the next academic year to make a change. Online schools like King’s InterHigh offer the flexibility to enrol at any point during the academic year and ensure that new pupils receive comprehensive support and resources for a smooth transition.
Could online education be suitable for your child?
Traditional approaches may raise fewer eyebrows, but that doesn’t mean they are the best path. Embracing change is essential—not only for personal growth but also for keeping pace with an ever-evolving world. Change touches every aspect of life, and education is no exception; it, too, is gradually but continuously transforming.
Online schools like King’s InterHigh have been around for almost twenty years (imagine that!). Offering a broad and comprehensive British curriculum for students aged 7 to 19, it provides a choice of three timetables: UK, Middle East, and Southeast Asia, making high-quality education accessible for students worldwide.
Year after year, schools like King’s InterHigh challenge the educational status quo, giving students another option to learn. One that gives them the power to take responsibility for their learning, follow their passions, and grow as individuals.
Through self-directed learning (alongside interactive lessons, engaging activities, and plenty of teacher support), students at King’s InterHigh develop key life skills, from independence to self-motivation and effective time management.
Beyond establishing a solid foundation for personal and professional success, online schooling provides a consistent and reliable way to learn that isn’t disrupted by changes in location, time zones, personal hobbies or other life commitments. The past few years have underlined the importance of educational continuity, and online schooling has proven to be a resilient model for uninterrupted learning. Families moving internationally or relocating frequently can count on online schools to provide their children with a stable, high-quality British education, no matter where they are or how often they travel. It’s not just about your children’s freedom—it’s about having the freedom as a family to make decisions without the burden of potentially disrupting your child’s education or childhood experiences.
Factors to consider from your child’s current school
As we begin a new year, it’s natural for parents to reflect on their children’s educational journey. Several key factors should be considered when deciding if a mid-year switch is the right choice, whether due to changes in family life, shifting academic goals, or the desire for a different approach to learning.
1. Academic Progress and Engagement Is your child feeling challenged enough in their current school, or are they struggling to keep up? Sometimes, students may feel disengaged, or the school’s curriculum may not fully meet their academic needs. Suppose your child is losing motivation or, conversely, not being stretched in ways that keep them motivated. In that case, a mid-year transition can offer an opportunity to find a more tailored approach to their learning.
Online schools like King’s InterHigh offer a tailored learning experience. They even leverage their own AI tool to create personalised learning pathways for each student based on their past responses to in-class activities. Each student can progress independently, whether they need extra support or more challenging material.
2. Social and Emotional Wellbeing Has your child been struggling socially or emotionally? The school environment plays a significant role in a child’s development. If they are feeling isolated or not receiving the emotional support they need, a change may be in order. Online education can provide a more supportive space where students thrive in smaller virtual classrooms and participate in a strong, tight-knit community.
King’s InterHigh highly values social interaction, so students can join various clubs (from Mandarin to drama and meditation), virtual meetups and in-person trips that foster lasting friendships and a sense of belonging.
3. Learning Flexibility Academic achievements are essential – but school shouldn’t be all that children think about. Whether due to extracurricular activities, travel commitments, or family circumstances, the rigid schedules of traditional schools can be a challenge for some students. If your family’s lifestyle requires more adaptability, online education can provide the flexibility to balance learning with other commitments.
King’s InterHigh offers class recordings accessible 24/7 so that if students need to miss a class, they can watch it back at a convenient time. We ensure that no learning is overlooked, and you can structure your days and routines as you see fit, perhaps even tailoring them to your students’ predisposition for education, energy levels, or extracurricular hobbies.
4. Long-Term Goals and Growth Are you considering your child’s future and whether their current school adequately prepares them? If your child has specific aspirations—whether it’s attending a prestigious university abroad or pursuing a more creative path—it’s crucial that their school supports those ambitions. Look for a school that equips your child with the skills and resources to chase their dreams.
Beyond core subjects, ensure that the school offers opportunities to study what truly excites them, igniting their passion and nurturing their talents. This way, they are not just set up for academic success but are also on a path to becoming happy, fulfilled individuals.
5. Family-Specific Needs Lastly, consider whether your current school setup accommodates your family’s needs. For example, families relocating frequently or based in remote areas can rely on online schools for educational stability (and quality). Making a mid-year switch to online learning can be daunting, but it offers many advantages for students who need a change in environment, pace, or approach.
Embracing Change for the Better
The start of a new year symbolizes growth and change, making it a perfect opportunity to reevaluate your child’s education and explore new opportunities.
In a world that values adaptability and lifelong learning, online education could be the fresh start your child needs. Joining mid-year doesn’t mean missing out on these connections – our welcoming community ensures that new students have a smooth onboarding and quickly become part of the collective, participating in class activities and fun events and making lifelong friends. Contact our admissions team to learn more about how we teach and enroll your child.
Embedding AI in schools
A separate panel featuring Karim Rogers, Executive Director of El Alsson British and American International Schools and Natalie Williams, Director of Membership and Engagement at COBIS shared some top tips and considerations for schools embedding AI.
Here were some of the quick takeaways:
● Schools need a safe and structured framework for using AI. Best practice guidelines
are essential for both students and teachers.
● There is no standard or optimum level for AI use in schools. AI use should be split
between operational, administrative, learning and education.
● When it comes to integrating AI, schools should start small and be specific.
● AI can have very positive impacts on assessments, these include real-time feedback,
student personalisation, efficiency and improved evaluation of student performance.
● Plagiarism and monitoring the correct use of AI remains a concern and continues to
be a complex issue for students, parents and teachers to navigate.
● Parents have concerns when it comes to the amount of AI and device use in schools.
● AI is being successfully used to encourage creativity and innovation in the classroom.
● The majority of teachers and students tend to use AI to assist with planning and
administrative tasks.
