Muddy Stilettos

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/child-with-headphones-computer-.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-25652" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/child-with-headphones-computer-.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/child-with-headphones-computer--300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/child-with-headphones-computer--720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/child-with-headphones-computer--787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



All parents will know the agonies of trying to decide where their children should go to school. &nbsp;Even after you’re <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/school-reviews">read the reviews</a>, talked to friends, and talked to the headteacher, there’s still, inevitably, a leap of faith involved. What will your child’s friendship groups be like &#8211; nurturing or toxic? Will the teachers be inspirational or just go through the motions? And the million pound question &#8211; will your child be happy?



Most of us will have friends who have moved their kids from schools based on everything from academics to peer group problems; maybe you’re one of them. Five years ago that change of school most likely meant moving from one bricks-and-mortar option to another, but the rise in popularity of online schools through the lockdown years has ushered in a new choice for many parents, with a different set of values and benefits – flexible learning, a celebration of individuality, emotional safety, and an unapologetically international outlook. 



The USP is that everyone is welcome, and everyone can thrive equally, which sounds great in theory, but does it really work? The only way to test that out is to talk to the kids, so with thanks to <a href="https://kingsinterhigh.co.uk/"></a><a href="https://kingsinterhigh.co.uk/?utm_source=muddy-stilettos&amp;utm_medium=partner&amp;utm_campaign=everyone-has-a-place-kih">King’s InterHigh</a> students, that’s exactly what we’ve done! From teenage sports star to super-bright primary schooler, overseas student to flexible learner, here’s their experience on online school.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jason-7-from-banffshire-has-high-functioning-autism-and-was-bullied">JASON, 7, from Banffshire, has high-functioning autism and was bullied</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1778" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Jason_2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-79941" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Jason_2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Jason_2-337x600.jpg 337w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Jason_2-562x1000.jpg 562w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Jason_2-864x1536.jpg 864w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Jason_2-295x525.jpg 295w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



I moved to King’s InterHigh because I wanted to learn, and I just wanted a place where I could feel safe and not be hurt. I’ve been to three schools before this one and once I had to go to hospital, there was blood and mud all over my face. King’s InterHigh is perfect, I love everything about it, and I’m learning lots. I didn&#8217;t know school would be this interesting with all lessons and the clubs – my top three are Humanities, Science and STEM. I find most of the work easy because I have high functioning autism &#8211; they’ve moved me in Year 4 Maths because I found Year 3 Maths boring.



I have made friends here from all over the world – my friend Sophia is from Russia. We all catch up on the webcam, but I also have one friend from InterHIgh whose house I’m going to soon for a Halloween party. &nbsp;Outside school I do martial arts – I’m a blue belt and I go twice a week– but in school my parents have chosen my clubs; I do Magic Music Club and Lego Club where you get challenges – last time we had to build a maze out of Lego and show each other what we’d done. It started with 35 people on the webcam and now there are 50 of us every week. &nbsp;I absolutely love Lego Club.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ELZABETH, 15, from Cardiff, is a national tennis player</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1333" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Elizabeth_4.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-79942" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Elizabeth_4.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Elizabeth_4-450x600.jpeg 450w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Elizabeth_4-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Elizabeth_4-394x525.jpeg 394w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



I’m ranked around Number 10 in the UK for my age group in tennis, and my dream is to qualify for Junior Wimbledon. Unfortunately, my previous school in Cardiff is an hour from Swansea where I train every morning and afternoon and the drive just became too difficult. I’d end up missing lessons, and often I was doing my homework and getting in and out of my school clothes in the car. My friends would try to send me the notes. but I’m very organised and I do like my notes a certain way! It wasn’t working out so I moved to King’s InterHigh about 18 months ago.



The recorded sessions and gaps in the timetable work well for me because I can play tennis and catch up with work that I&#8217;ve missed. Lots of athletes use King’s InterHigh for that – my mum has recommended it to other younger players we know – but actually for me the school also works because my GSCES are important to me. I mean, there’s a minute chance I&#8217;ll make it a tennis player, so my goal is to go to a top American University on a full scholarship, which means my academic results need to be as strong as my tennis. I’m taking eight GSCES and I’m aiming for all 8s and 9s and, if they go well, I’m planning to stay on here for A levels.



One thing you definitely need to do well academically at King’s InterHigh is to be self-motivated and organised – it’s important to ask for help and also do your own research. I get more out of the lessons than the social element – I haven’t really experienced the social side to the school at all but I’m in touch with a lot of my friends and in tennis so it’s working out fine. It might be different for others who are prepared to work really hard at this element and join lots of clubs, I guess it’s just not a priority for me.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">MARTINA, 14, from Belgium, suffered from low confidence</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1333" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Martina-ice-skater-Kings-InterHigh_1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-79969" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Martina-ice-skater-Kings-InterHigh_1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Martina-ice-skater-Kings-InterHigh_1-450x600.jpg 450w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Martina-ice-skater-Kings-InterHigh_1-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Martina-ice-skater-Kings-InterHigh_1-394x525.jpg 394w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



My previous school was quite academic and I felt like I was constantly studying – I had no free time and it was a constant pressure. It was very stressful. Friendships have never been an issue for me, but I never had time to see my friends because I was always working!



My big issue at my old school was with the teaching &#8211; here the teachers are so much kinder. I moved to King’s InterHIgh last year and my self-esteem is much higher now, I’m less anxious. I’ve noticed that in lessons I&#8217;m not as afraid to ask questions, and also I’d say the tests I have to do feel more appropriate. We have informal tests twice a week – they’re called ‘cycle tests’ here &#8211; and this is so much better for me, way more relaxed and it’s helped me to enjoy the lessons. That’s been a surprise to me, I hadn’t thought I’d actually enjoy school, but subjects like photography are just so fun. Also, the other pupils are really supportive – in the group chat no-one puts up with any meanness to other students, there’s no bullying here.



I do ice skating four times a week and I also do Scouts, so for me I like the flexibility of King’s InterHigh, plus I love the long breaks! It can be up to 1 hour 45 between lessons which really helps with my concentration when I come back to my next lesson.



I work mostly from home which I really enjoy as it’s a happy space for me, but of course online school doesn’t suit everybody – you have to be able to get up and start working on a morning instead of going back to sleep and make the most of your free time. I go out on every single break – I often walk the dogs as I don’t want to be staring at a screen all day. I take part in activities at school too. I’ve just joined the Criminology Club and I’m coming to London at the end of the month to do an art workshop, so that will a great chance to meet some of the other pupils in real life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">EDWARD, 14, from Salford, has epilepsy</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Edward_1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-79943" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Edward_1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Edward_1-600x600.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Edward_1-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Edward_1-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Edward_1-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



I moved to King’s InterHigh about two years ago, so probably mid-Year 8. I have epilepsy and I was getting bullied for it and everyone was just pushing me, stealing my stuff and being mean. I was very unhappy. In primary school it had been dead easy to make friends but in my old secondary school it was really hard. Here in nearly every class I’ve been in I’ve got loads of friends that I can play with in my breaks – it’s so much better, it’s been amazing. I really like the flexibility of King’s InterHigh too, which I need because of my epilepsy. If I have seizure I can rewatch the lessons so I don’t get behind with my work, that helps a lot. One thing that has surprised me about the school is the long break times between lessons – I have time to walk my grandad’s dog or go and do my photography homework. I like learning at school because they introduce you to a subject and then you go and do a task. Also, because you can do the lessons from anywhere –I did some of my lessons when I was on holiday in France and Belgium this year!



<a href="https://kingsinterhigh.co.uk/?utm_source=muddy-stilettos&amp;utm_medium=partner&amp;utm_campaign=everyone-has-a-place-kih">King’s InterHigh</a>



PS Don&#8217;t forget to enter our competition to <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/reader-treats/win-a-cowshed-self-care-hamper-worth-248/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">win a £248 Ultimate Cowshed pamper package</a>. Ends 20 Nov!

Should I choose an online school for my child?

You may also like