Article August 23, 2024
Celebrating our students’ 2024 IGCSE successes
This GCSE Results Day, we are delighted to once again celebrate a year of remarkable successes for our Year 11 students, from their grades to their personal growth.
As a non-selective school, we’re proud to see our learners achieve stellar IGCSE exam results year after year — but grades are just a small part of their stories.
Families join our King’s InterHigh community with a wide array of aspirations in mind. Some students may choose our innovative, high-quality education as a pathway to top grades, while others simply want to feel welcomed and thrive in our environment in a way they couldn’t at traditional schools.
Our mission is to make sure we bring each of our young people the education, support, tools, and guidance they need to achieve those unique goals, and much more.
Applauding each and every success this year, we talked to some of our Year 11 students about why they joined King’s InterHigh and how online learning helped them to excel.
Elizabeth: Juggling academics with professional tennis
Based in both Swansea and Cardiff, Elizabeth chose to study at King’s InterHigh so she could manage her intense tennis training schedule and attend competitions without missing out on her education.
She enjoys the independence she gets from studying online, but appreciates the support teachers provide, which was particularly useful while preparing for her GCSE exams.
Reflecting on her results this year, she says: “I’m absolutely delighted with my GCSE results and would like to thank King’s InterHigh for their support and the system of education that allows me to train and travel abroad to international tennis tournaments.”
Huge congratulations to Elizabeth on achieving an outstanding 9 across the board: Maths, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, English Language, History, and Business!
Eliza: Thriving beyond barriers
From her small village in rural England, passionate student Eliza has found her place at King’s InterHigh and truly achieved her best this year.
In Eliza’s own view, traditional schooling simply couldn’t support her to thrive as a neurodivergent and visually impaired student with chronic fatigue syndrome. With the support and flexibility of online schooling, however, she’s been able to take on her education with confidence and pursue her unique passions, from performing arts to climate change advocacy.
Well done to Eliza on achieving 6 in English Language and English Literature this year, along with assured qualifications in Music and Drama!
Why did you join King’s InterHigh?
I joined King’s InterHigh because I am neurodivergent and disabled, and unfortunately mainstream brick-and-mortar school was just not working for me. My mental health took a decline, and it was decided that I would do best at King’s InterHigh.
How has your experience been?
I joined King’s InterHigh in the middle of Year 9, and it was the best decision me and my family ever made. I wish I had started sooner.
The best part of King’s InterHigh for me, and something I was not expecting, is the performing arts department. It works amazingly and so much better than brick-and-mortar schools. The King’s InterHigh performing arts department has given me so many wonderful opportunities that I never got at my old school; they have just accepted me for who I am, and I am very appreciative of that.
Favourite subjects: Music and Drama
Favourite teachers: Ms. Stoyle (English) and Ms. Buchanan (Performing Arts)
How did online learning help you achieve this year?
King’s InterHigh definitely helped me with revision as we had a lot of 'how to revise' lessons, which helped me learn what the best revision method is for me. All my teachers supported me with my revision and helped me manage it. Having a lot of past paper questions embedded into the lessons really helped me as well.
King’s InterHigh has also helped me prepare by clearly outlining from the end of Year 9 what to expect in GCSEs, helping us achieve our best.
What’s next for you after GCSEs?
Unfortunately, this is the end of my journey at King’s InterHigh, which I am very sad about — I don’t want to leave! I'm now going to take a massive jump and go to a residential college for the blind.
After that, I am hoping to go to the Open University and then go on to become something along the lines of a drama and music therapist, children’s play therapist, drum player in a musical orchestra, or an environmental engineer! Hopefully, I will cross paths again with King’s InterHigh as I will really miss the amazing community of wonderful people!
Eliza's top revision tip:
"Instead of reading books, which just didn't work for me because I have ADHD, I watched videos about the subjects or topics I most needed help with. I found that really connected me to the subject and helped me write notes down and discover the topic more."
Veronika: Finding freedom and flexibility
Veronika, who studies with us from the bustling city of Vienna, Austria, first joined King’s InterHigh because she wasn’t happy in her previous school.
From the pressure to the rigidity, she missed the freedom to pursue what she loves. Two years on, she’s found a wonderful balance between her love for academics and her unique interests: everything from photography to economics to motorsports. Plus, she was able to sit all her exams fully online as part of our world-first pilot initiative with Pearson Edexcel — perfect for Veronika as an international student!
Well done to Veronika for achieving a remarkable 9 in English Literature and French, 8 in English Language, Physics, and Business, and 7 at Mathematics!
Why did you join King’s InterHigh?
I joined at the beginning of Year 10 because I no longer wanted to deal with the pressure my previous school put on its students, and with the general tightness of the system. King’s InterHigh, in a way, saved me from a mental and physical burnout — and now I am in a much better state.
How has your experience been?
I have truly enjoyed the freedom. If I have an appointment, training, or if I am travelling, I can still continue learning. If I am sick or other things get in the way, being able to watch all the lessons back makes it very easy to still learn.
Favourite subjects: Mathematics, sciences, art, and English
Favourite teachers: Ms. Buckle (Maths) and Ms. Wilson (English Language)
How did online learning help you achieve this year?
King’s InterHigh provided an enormous amount of opportunities to prepare for exams, from past papers to study groups to online quizzes, and then (of course) all the learning material from the GCSE years that I could go back to and look through again.
My teachers were all available during the study leave, and I wrote emails to them whenever I had questions, or if I wanted them to mark a practice exam response for me.
What’s next for you after GCSEs?
I have many different ideas that still need to be scheduled and fitted into my future. What I know for now is that I will start my A Levels in Maths, History, English Language, and Economics at King’s InterHigh in the autumn.
After this, I would like to study PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics) or a similar degree at university, and then have a job where I need to travel a lot around the world — one that involves many trips to different cities. In a broader sense, I hope that the world in the future manages to become more peaceful — from political issues to equality issues to climate issues.
Veronika's top revision tip:
"Re-reading my handwritten notes, doing small and quick online quizzes often for retrieval practice, and then finishing a subject's revision with one past exam paper."
Ashira: Pursuing global excellence
Based in Mozambique, Zimbabwean student Ashira has embraced the opportunity to access a world-class education without having to leave home.
Multi-talented, Ashira is a second-degree black belt and national champion in taekwondo, all while keeping up with her academic ambitions. Studying with us online, Ashira was able to excel in a broad range of subjects and blaze her pathway to future studies.
Well done to Ashira, who studied English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Fine Art, History, and Religious Studies this year!
Why did you join King’s InterHigh?
I joined King’s InterHigh mainly because it's the best education I can get where I live without having to leave to go to boarding school.
How has your experience been?
The experience has been life-changing and is something I might consider for my own kids, if or when I have them.
Favourite subjects: Art and English
Favourite teacher: Ms. Middleburgh (Art)
How did online learning help you achieve this year?
I prepared by studying using flash cards and Inspired AI. I got so much support through emails and within the classes.
Inspired AI is our revolutionary platform that provides each King’s InterHigh student with their very own personalised learning pathway alongside their expert-led online classes. With Inspired AI, learners can master their GCSE studies at their own pace with activities, modules, and homework tasks tailored precisely to their progress — improving their performance by an entire grade boundary on average!
What’s next for you after GCSEs?
My plan is that I will do my IB Diploma.
Ashira's top revision tip:
"Sleep is much more important than you think — and eat full meals, including eating something before the exam."
Christopher: Reigniting a love for learning
Originally joining King’s InterHigh to rekindle his love for learning, Christopher from London, UK, has achieved that and much more this year.
An avid lover of the arts, Christopher found a new passion for English Literature over the past two years — in his own words, partly thanks to the “contagious” passion of his English teacher here at King’s InterHigh. He was keen to thank all his teachers for playing “a pivotal role in shaping my knowledge, character, and aspirations”, instilling “a love for learning that will stay with us forever.”
Well done to Christopher for achieving 8 in History, 7 in English Literature and English Language, 6 in Biology, Physics and Spanish, and 5 in Mathematics and Psychology.
Why did you join King’s InterHigh?
I chose to join King’s InterHigh at the start of Year 10 because my current school at the time did not fulfil my love for learning like it once had. King’s InterHigh appealed to me because of the excellence in teaching and the grades students achieved. I was eager to be surrounded by driven, like-minded peers who shared my desire to strive for the best.
How has your experience been?
My experience at King’s InterHigh’s senior school was both challenging and rewarding. In my opinion, the diverse backgrounds of my peers and mentors further enriched my learning experience by introducing new perspectives to blossom. [In addition], with the magnificent mentorship of my teachers and the support of my peers, I learned to manage my time more effectively. Stress was easily overcome with confidence-boosting discussions and effective academic strategies.
Overall, this academic experience has had profound positive impacts on me. It has enhanced my understanding of my courses, but also of myself. I have developed essential skills such as critical thinking and collaborative teamwork. These skills have deepened my academic understanding and fostered perseverance and determination to achieve my goals.
Favourite subject: English
Favourite teachers: Ms. Wilson (English Literature) and Ms. Brook (Psychology)
How did online learning help you achieve this year?
Throughout my preparation, King’s InterHigh provided a wealth of resources and support. Easy contact with teachers was instrumental in clarifying doubts and receiving personalised feedback on practice exams and assignments.
King’s InterHigh's extensive library of resources, including access to online articles and revision summaries, encouraged independent study and enriched my knowledge of subjects beyond the textbook curriculum.
What’s next for you after GCSEs?
My future plans are to pursue a pathway to law, which aligns with my academic interests and personal ambitions.
I am currently focused on developing my continuing passions in English Literature, History, and Psychology at A Level. These subjects provide a strong foundation for critical thinking, research skills, and understanding human behaviour — skills essential for a career in law. In addition to academics, I am committed to growing my horizons through travel, which I consider will broaden my perspective and enhance my understanding of different cultures and communities.
Christopher's top revision tip:
"Create a structured revision timetable by allocating dedicated time slots for each subject, thus ensuring comprehensive coverage of all topics."
Learn more about our personalised, flexible, innovative IGCSE education at King’s InterHigh
Congratulations to all our Year 11 students this year!
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