InterHigh

[Queenie]

Just wondering about everyone's opinions on this, it is an online private high school based in Wales but accepting pupils from anywhere in the world. The fees are about the same as other fee-paying schools in the UK (obviously fees vary hugely but this one isn't significantly above or below the sort of costs you'd expect.)

I really like the idea of it as I hated high school due to bullying and lots of health problems. I'm not sure if it's going to work completely and I'll be watching it over the next few years to see how it goes. I've often thought about home schooling my kids and this may be another option in the future if it takes off. Combine it with other activities (karate class etc) for physical education and social interaction and I don't think kids will miss out, depending of course on the child.

So what do you guys think?

 

[ely3857]

I dont really like this, all day staring at a PC while at wotk is bad enough, not sure I would wantg my child doing it.

Been an only child I would have loved to go to boarding school and have people around 24/7 HOWEVER as an avid Enid Blyton reader I did have a very romanticised idea of boarding school!

I think out of the 2 I would prefer the home schooling option just not this one. Of course with tons of activies like Brownies/Cubs etc to keep them socialised.



Jodie

 

[florida sun]

Well and this is only my opinion, but Im not keen and wouldnt be for my children, I think the idea of sending children to school also helps them to make friends and learn how to socialise apart from the educational side.

I also wouldnt want my child spending 6-8 a day purly looking at a computer screen. Also the cost wouldnt be suitable for a lot of families and you would have to pay for the extra sports facilities such as Karate,Hockey, Football etc, where even in a private school I am presuming it would be included in the fees.

But it will be interesting to see how this pans out, do you know where in Wales it is Sophie??

 

[carolfoy]

It does sound interesting, I think my main point of concern would be that in this environment where we are all dependant on computers what would be the consequences when they go wrong? also the social aspect, I know you would try and regain that by doing outside clubs but the social side of school is so important because you mix with others that you don't necessarily have anything in common with at all, whereas at a karate club for instance you automatically have a common ground. I agree that bullying won't be an issue but not ALL kids are bullied and some that are turn it into a character enhancing exercise by gaining assertion. (I am in no way saying this is a good thing and I do feel that more kids suffer than gain through it)
It would be very interesting to see how they go over the next few years.

 

[wideeyes]

This Idea seems a bit of a gimmick to me and I am not sure if it will work.
It will also require a big commitment from the parents. Apart from the cost already mentioned, one parent will have to stay at home full time and this will probably mean that only very well of families can afford it as in many families both parents need to work to afford private schooling fees.

however I think it will be a good idea for a family who is not in one place and travel a lot.

 

[carolfoy]

Just to add as weel, I feel that regular school offers a range of activities that a child may not choose to do off their own bat, they may also find that they enjoy these extras. I became really good at Tennis, Discus, Boxing and Drama which were all things I may not have even tried if I'd have relied on my parents to enrol me out of school

 

[florida sun]

Just to add as weel, I feel that regular school offers a range of activities that a child may not choose to do off their own bat, they may also find that they enjoy these extras. I became really good at Tennis, Discus, Boxing and Drama which were all things I may not have even tried if I'd have relied on my parents to enrol me out of school

I absolutly agree with this, without school my daughter would have never become an Gymnast, love Tennis, played Ice Hockey, or learnt to play the drums, all of which happened through going to school.

 

[Queenie]

I think the school is based in Pontypridd, obviously with it being online it's not really "anywhere"! For those of you worried about kids sat in front of a computer all day, reading their prospectus it's not like that. The children are online between 8.30am and 11.30am each day with their teacher and classmates. They are then set work in the subjects taught for the rest of the day which I presume can be done offline.

I know that the social interactions I had at school with teachers and other pupils have made my life very difficult now. I find it almost impossible to relate to other people and be in any social situation with even 1 stranger, something I've been told in counselling stems from school itself - not bullying at school. While most kids benefit from school I think there will always be a proprtion for whom it is simply not right.

 

[carolfoy]

While most kids benefit from school I think there will always be a proprtion for whom it is simply not right.

This is true but I do feel everyone should try it first

I find it almost impossible to relate to other people and be in any social situation with even 1 stranger,

Not true - you mix perfectly well with all of us!

 

[ely3857]

While most kids benefit from school I think there will always be a proprtion for whom it is simply not right.

I agree. However before settling on this type of schooling for your own kids my honest opinion would be to wait until you meet them first, after all they may take to school like you have to the DIS!



Jodie

 

[Queenie]

Well of course, I hope to have kids like my sister's daughter - confident, outgoing and very excited about starting school this year (it can't be that time yet SURELY????) I don't know if I like this idea for my own children, I think it's quite gimmicky but it could really take off, I do like the idea of it. My kids will be going to school as normal until the point (if one arises) at which me and OH decide they will do better without it. I hope this is NOT the case as I'd rather not have to teach my children at home, I struggled with maths and geography the first time around - don't need to go through it again!!!

 

[ely3857]

I don't know if I like this idea for my own children, I think it's quite gimmicky but it could really take off, I do like the idea of it. My kids will be going to school as normal until the point (if one arises) at which me and OH decide they will do better without it. I hope this is NOT the case as I'd rather not have to teach my children at home, I struggled with maths and geography the first time around - don't need to go through it again!!!

Glad to see you have a back-up plan if your kids do need it



Jodie

 

[Frances999]

I read an article about this a while ago and just took a look at their website (which, at the moment, seems to be particularly uninspiring).

The idea of an independent school on the internet seems very strange to me. I understand that technology is advancing but are we really ready for this yet?

One further point that worries me is how the ability of the students may vary. Most independent schools require an admissions exam to ensure students are of around the same standard with regards to their academic ability. They may then contiunue this further with subjects being taught in ability sets. At first look it appears to me like there might be some extremely bright children in this class along with some children who are struggling. It will be very difficult for the teacher to be able to tailor-make lesson plans which are suitable for such a wide range of abilities.

The fees are very competitively prices when compared to independent schools. In fact, the yearly fee is actually lower than most private schools charge per term. However, when you consider what can be offered by a private school compared to what can be offered by this venture, there is really very little comparison to be made. Most independent schools offer state-of-the-art facilities and equipment - this is all carried out online! My three children are at prep and pre-prep schools and I consider the school to offer excellent value-for-money. I wouldn't feel such value was being offered by InterHigh as the only thing they seem to be providing is the couple of hours teaching per day: what about text books, sports, drama, paper/pens, equipment......etc....etc....

Personally, I don't think we are ready for this kind of venture. I would certainly not be happy enrolling my children and to be honest I cannot think of a single parent who would feel confident that this is offering their child the best in education and social development. I dread to think how some children might end up after being educated solely online - some will undoubtedly have little confidence and lack basic communication skills.

I'm sure that there might be a select few children for who this might be the best last resort. I wouldn't have thought it suitable for the majority of children. However, it will be interesting to see how this school develops.