This blog is from one of COBIS’ Supporting Associates.

Written by King's InterHigh.

In the competitive landscape of British international schooling, offering a sixth form programme is becoming increasingly crucial. Without a sixth form, not only do you lose students after their IGCSEs, you may also struggle to enrol them from the outset. When parents can choose a competitor that will take their child all the way through IGCSEs, A Levels, and university entrance, schools that end at Key Stage 4 are at a fundamental disadvantage.

Of course, high costs and recruitment challenges often make sixth form provision unfeasible, particularly for smaller or more remote international schools. Thankfully, there is another solution, and it’s growing in popularity: setting up a hybrid sixth form with an online education partner.

The challenges of a new offering

Traditionally, international schools have faced numerous financial and operational hurdles during the process of setting up a sixth form. Take teacher recruitment, for example. In the initial years, when you only have a small cohort of sixth form families but still need to hire multiple teachers, recouping your initial investment can feel near impossible.

The financial burden is only complicated by the difficulty of hiring highly qualified A Level teachers. Lengthy recruitment processes can delay your sixth form’s launch, and remote schools may find it difficult to attract specialists at all. 

With a hybrid learning partnership, however, these limitations become a thing of the past.

Hybrid learning as a sixth form solution

A strategic partnership with a hybrid learning provider allows your school to offer students a sixth form curriculum without the usual costs, timelines, and difficulty.

Hybrid learning combines your school’s existing facilities, pastoral care, and community structure with live, interactive online lessons delivered by specialist teachers. Just like in your traditional classrooms, students will attend real-time classes with engaging teaching, group work and discussions, learning activities, and more. 

The difference is that everything happens virtually. With online teaching, your school gets all the benefits of a sixth form programme without the challenges of setting up an on-campus offer. All the while, your students remain part of your school community, enjoying all the prestige and opportunities you’re known for.

How it worked for International School Samui

International School Samui is a prime example of a school that faces the same challenges. The only international school on their island, they were needlessly losing students after their IGCSEs despite years of building up family relationships.

Now, with hybrid online teaching, International School Samui (ISS) offers a complete A Level education across 12 subjects. After completing Key Stage 4 in-person, learners now stay on at ISS to study their A Levels through specialist online teaching in the school’s bespoke Sixth Form Lounge. An Online Learning Officer supports each sixth form student, and everyone gets access to pastoral care, co-curricular activities, and university application support on campus.

For ISS, the benefits speak for themselves. Rather than spending the equivalent of hundreds of thousands of pounds on in-person A Level teachers, the school spends a fraction of the cost on world-class online teaching that scales to their exact student numbers. Instead of losing families two years early, International School Samui has been able to retain and attract students with an expanded offering that’s both cost-effective and sustainable.

Choosing the right hybrid partner

With many online education providers on the market, choosing the right partner for your school is imperative. For the best success, look for online teaching that aligns with your standards and vision.

Experience, for example, can make a big difference. Choosing a provider with a proven track record in delivering A Levels and a team of expert teachers trained in online learning will make the setup process smooth and ensure your students are on the right track for top grades. You’ll also want to make sure your chosen partner’s offering can align with your curriculum goals, fit your existing timetable, and offer live lessons as opposed to recorded content.

It's also a good idea to seek out partners who will be there to advise your school each step of the way. There are various factors that go into smooth hybrid learning implementation, from technology requirements to allocating resources, so it’s helpful to have expert guidance through the process.

Setting up your hybrid sixth form

Going hybrid for your school’s sixth form isn’t just about keeping costs low. When you partner with a reputable online education provider, you can set up a sustainable, scalable, quality Key Stage 5 programme that impresses families and boosts your school’s appeal.

If you’re considering a hybrid sixth form partnership, get in touch with King’s InterHigh. With 20 years of experience in online learning and partnerships with dozens of schools globally, King’s InterHigh is a trusted provider for your school’s expanded offering.