đ Class Futures Insights: January Unveiled
A Spotlight on the Latest News and Innovations in Digital Education
đ Hello, itâs Jonathan and welcome to Class Futures Insights.
If you are reading this for the first time, I hand pick and round up news and announcements from the digital education sector. This tends to focus on online schools, hybrid schools, and other forms of online learning.
I have tracked the space for well over two years and have become fascinated with the development of online learning.
As a teacher and geographer, I simply want to understand it better. Doing so I have realised that there is a vibrant and growing global community of digital educators and learners.
In addition, I have also curated a free resource of online learning organisations using Airtable. Thank you to everyone who has submitted to this.
Below is a snapshot of industry news for January with 15 different stories from organisations around the world including the UK, USA, Canada, and South Africa.
If youâd like to be featured in the February edition, reply to this email with a hello and few lines of information.
Enjoy the update and HNY!
Jonathan
Dukes Education Launching UK-wide Hybrid School Offering
Dukeâs Education, which runs a network of 25 schools and colleges in the UK, is launching its hybrid school offering. This will combine both online and classroom learning across its sites from September 2024. Whilst further details are still to emerge, the hybrid provision is aimed at pupils and parents who want to access a combination of learning from home and school. The cost is ÂŁ4000 a term. It will be interesting to see what is offered for lower income families to access this provision such as bursaries and scholarships.
Dukes Education has appointed Abreen Baig as Director of Hybrid Schools and Jamie Whiteside as Director of the Dukes Hybrid Schools programme. Both used to work together at Portland Place School (PPS) in London which pioneered hybrid provision. PPS is part of Inspired Education which also operates the online school, Kingâs InterHigh.
Ambreen Baig, Director of Hybrid Schools at Dukes Education told Class Futures, âAfter seeing the success of the hybrid model firsthand, and witnessing the impact on pupil attendance and wellbeing, we are delighted to build on our experience and launch Dukesâ first hybrid offering. I passionately believe that education needs some innovation and families need to be offered choices beyond the traditional day school model.Â
She continued with, âSociety has changed dramatically in the last decade, and itâs only right that education also follows this road to flexibility. Our young people need choices and this is one way of bringing those who found mainstream schools challenging to find a love for education again. I am beyond privileged and excited to be doing this with Dukes.â
Crimson Global Academy Partners With Pearson Edexcel for Remote Exams
Crimson Global Academy (CGA) is partnering with Pearson Edexcel to launch a pilot programme for CGA students to take remote International GCSE exams in 2024. This development will provide students with the flexibility to take exams from home, eliminating the need for travel and reduce stress with traditional exam settings.
According to Alex Cork, Admissions Officer at CGA, it is: âa big step in making online school and world class qualifications accessible to students everywhere.â
The cost of the iGCSE fee per subject is ÂŁ365 for 2024, including administrative fees.
Inspired Education Opens Up Scholarship Opportunities
Inspired Education Group has launched its new scholarship programme enabling 50 individuals at any one time to receive an education at Inspired schools across the globe. The scholarships are named after its founder, Nadim M Nsouli, and the global initiative will provide hundreds of children with an opportunity to receive a high level of education.
Learn about Home Schooling with Evolve Online
Evolve Online School, based in Johannesburg, South Africa, is hosting a webinar "Introducing Home Schooling" on 15 January. Use the webinar to learn about its curriculum, virtual classrooms, and learning. If anything, it is also a great opportunity to connect with others and share experiences in home schooling.
The Knowledge Society Applications Now Open
Applications for The Knowledge Society (TKS) are now open.
TKS has a combination of in-person programmes in the following cities: New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Dubai, as well as its global virtual programme for students 13-17 worldwide.
Its course lasts 10 months and students are trained with the knowledge, skills, mindsets, and networks required to âcreate the futureâ.
For the virtual option, it costs $489/month with a deposit payment of $1,000.
New Extended Project Qualification Programme
Highgrove Education, the online school opening in September 2024, is offering an online EPQ programme running from mid-January to November 2024. Pupils attend one live lesson a week, work through one self-study lesson a week, and have fortnightly meetings with their project supervisor. The extended project qualification gives pupils the chance to plan, execute and evaluate a project on a topic that captivates them.
Interestingly, it is also being offered to schools who want to offer this as an option to their own pupils.
Artificial Intelligence Course for Teens
Educate Online has launched a new course for students aged 14-18 called "Artificial Intelligence: Theory, Responsibility, and Sustainability."
The course will provide students with training from Cambridge Leadership School lecturers and allow them to investigate the various aspects of artificial intelligence including theoretical foundations, ethical considerations, and the role of AI in promoting sustainability.
Students will receive a certificate from Cambridge University Technology & Enterprise Club following completion.
A Level Science Practical Work and Exam Entry
arc exams have joined up with BioGrad Education to offer private candidates the opportunity to undertake their A Level Science Practical work in Birmingham, UK.
Finally, 7 February is the cut off entry deadline for summer 2024 exams. Hurry.
ZNotes to Host Panel Event and Launch its 2023 Impact Report
On 16 January, ZNotes is hosting a panel discussion and launching its 2023 Impact Report. The title of the panel discussion is âCan we leverage technology to achieve education equity?â
Founder, Zubair Junjunia, will be joined by Mark Anderson, Dr. Melody Lang and Daisy Hill and Arthur Kay.
CATALYST by Winchester College to Host Online Opening Evening
CATALYST by Winchester College is hosting an online opening evening on 25 January, starting at 6 PM UK time. Justin Pinnells, its Academic Director, will be providing detail on their approach as well as insights from their Head of Admissions.
In addition, Winchester College is also hiring for a lead facilitator and facilitator for its CATALYST online courses.
Further job details are on TES here.
If youâd like an intro, reply to this email.
Worldâs Best School Prizes Accepting Nominations
Finally, nominations are now open for the Worldâs Best School Prizes 2024. If you feel a school deserves recognition for its achievements, you can nominate it and the school will be encouraged to complete an application.
There are five categories for the share of the $50,000 including projects in environmental action, innovation, community collaboration, health and overcoming adversity.
Applications close on 23 February, 2024.
Who would you suggest?
Do you know a parent interested in online challenges? If so, CoLab is looking for parents to participate in a 30 minute session and experience its Riddle Rally challenges first hand.
If they like problem solving, challenges and riddles, forward this email to them.
Congratulations to UK company Persona Education which has been shortlisted from 1,700 applicants for the second phase of the Learning Engineering Tools Competition. Persona is developing online life skills solutions for students and schools. The Tools Competition is organised by the Learning Agency and sponsored by Open AI, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and others. Good luck to the team and all the other entrants!
HTS Global Online Campus, the Canadian online school, is hosting a series of open house events. Use the opportunity to learn about its approach to learning and how it prepares its pupils for the 21st century.
Online Resources and Parent Guides
If you are a parent considering the options for home education in the UK, you can access two free online courses on Elective Home Education and Permanent Exclusions from Shine Training. Thanks to Alistair Black, Local Authority Education Advisor, for the submitting this.
If youâve found this newsletter valuable, share it with a friend, and consider subscribing if you havenât already. I have been amazed with the uptake so far and you will be in great company with global learners around the world.