Frequently Asked Questions
About Thomas Keith Independent School
What is Thomas Keith Independent School?
We are a complete, interactive online private school teaching the world-class British curriculum. Students learn on their own computers with a headset and microphone, and they interact directly with their teachers and fellow pupils. Classes are taught live, online, by expert teachers who have a passion for their subjects and are dedicated to helping every student succeed.
What are the Benefits of studying at Thomas Keith Independent School?
The students can study from anywhere in the world while having access to friendly expert teachers. Classes are conducted live by real teachers, and students can interact with them directly during and after the classes. Live classes are also recorded so students can catch up on missed classes, brush up on subject matters they found difficult, and use these recordings to revise for exams.
For a more extensive list of benefits, you may directly visit this page.
How do students attend Thomas Keith Independent School?
Students “attend” online school just like any other traditional school, but with one major difference: all classes are conducted online.
The students do not need to travel to a regular brick-and-mortar school. They will simply log into the Thomas Keith School Portal at the time of their classes and begin their learning.
The teachers teach live, using a virtual classroom which includes a whiteboard, a live video and audio feed of the teacher, and a chatbox. During the class, students can easily communicate with the teacher and each other through the chatbox and their microphones, when required. Students submit their homework (and see their marked work) through the online school platform. Everything is conducted online.
Using voice, text, whiteboard, notes, recordings, presentations and screen sharing, classes are much more engaging and interactive than at traditional schools. Students can set tasks to work through specific exercises, share their work or demonstrate to the class. This allows every student the chance to directly and privately communicate with the teacher, so no one is ever left feeling missed out or left behind.
What are your teacher’s qualifications?
Teachers have a minimum of 2 years of classroom experience, often significantly more. They also have a minimum of a PGCE or a teaching qualification equivalent in education.
Are online schools recognised?
Online schooling falls under homeschooling in many countries (including the UK) and is a legal alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar schools.
Where are your teachers and students from?
Our teachers are mostly British and mostly based in the UK. Our students are from all over the world.
Thomas Keith Independent School Curriculum
What curriculum do you teach?
At Thomas Keith Independent School, we teach the English National Curriculum:
• Key Stage 1 – Primary School
• Key Stage 2 – Primary School
• Key Stage 3 – Lower Secondary School
• Key Stage 4 – Upper Secondary School
• Key Stage 5 – Sixth Form School
Are International GCSES recognised by colleges and universities?
Yes. The International GCSEs we teach are accepted by colleges and universities in the UK and around the world. If you want to be certain that you can get onto your chosen college or university course, we would recommend that you check with our admissions team.
Are International A-Levels recognised by colleges and universities?
Yes. The International A-Levels we teach are the same as those in any other sixth form or college in the UK and are recognised by universities in the UK and around the world. If you want to be certain that you can get onto your chosen college or university course, we would recommend that you check with our admissions team.
What Exam Boards do you use?
We use Edexcel or Cambridge, depending on the subject.
What are the school timings?
The main school timings for Thomas Keith Independent School are from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm London time. Most students, however, will be finished by 3:30 pm, and primary school students will normally be finished by 2:00 pm.
Important Note: Actual times will depend on the timetable and which subjects the students have actually chosen. Students will not be studying throughout the day. Also, the students are only expected to log on and be at their computers during class time.
Where and how will students sit their exams?
Students sit their final exams in local examination centres, closest to them. There are thousands of examination centres in the UK and across the world. If you need help finding a local examination centre, get in touch with us and we’ll help.
Do you offer extracurricular clubs/activities?
Yes. Students are able to join any of our optional clubs: Cooking club, Drama club, Debate club, Creative writing club, and Board Games club. You can find out more about our clubs by clicking here.
Which books should students purchase?
Once a student has been enrolled at Thomas Keith Independent School, closer to the start of the academic year, we will send a list of books to be purchased for each subject, along with links from websites and bookstores from which they may be bought. The actual books will vary, depending on which year group the student is in and, if applicable, which subjects he/she has chosen.
Classes at Thomas Keith Independent School
Are the classes really live?
Yes. The classes are conducted live by real human teachers.
Are live classes recorded?
Yes. All live classes at Thomas Keith Independent School are recorded, allowing students to access and review the lessons they are enrolled in at their convenience. This flexibility enables students to revise topics, reinforce understanding, and catch up on missed material. In all these cases, studying at Thomas Keith Independent School gives a crucial edge over traditional brick-and-mortar schools.
Can I see sample classes?
Of course. You may see all of our sample classes by clicking here.
What happens if a student cannot attend a live class?
If a student is unable to attend a live class, his/her parent/guardian must inform the online school via the Thomas Keith Parent Portal for it to be marked as an ‘Authorised Absence.’
If this is not done, it will be marked as an ‘Unauthorised Absence’ and will be recorded in the student’s file. In both cases, students are expected to watch the recording of the live class and submit the relevant homework on time.
What are the class sizes at Thomas Keith Independent School?
Students are arranged into class groups of up to a maximum of 19 pupils. Our class sizes are significantly smaller than at traditional schools.
Each child gets more individual attention and personalised instruction, addressing their unique learning needs and styles. Teachers can better understand their students’ strengths and areas of improvement and provide tailored guidance and feedback.
How do students submit their homework, and how are they assessed?
All homework is submitted online through the Thomas Keith School Platform. They are also marked online, and students will receive their grades on the Thomas Keith School Platform.
Can students take exams a year early or a year later?
Yes. The students may take exams a year early (or even earlier) if they are ready.
What about Physical Education and Exercise?
Exercise is an amazing tool to help us feel happier, more energised, and more optimistic. Every student will have Physical Education once or twice per week.
Admissions at Thomas Keith Independent School
How can students register at Thomas Keith Independent School?
Do you accept international students?
We certainly accept and welcome students from all over the globe. We follow the English National Curriculum, and students from all over the world–no matter which nationality–can benefit from our high standards of teaching, as well as gain globally recognised International GCSE and International A-Level qualifications.
Can students apply from anywhere in the world?
Yes. Students can join us from anywhere in the world where there is an internet connection.
What are the Thomas Keith Independent School fees?
Our extremely competitive independent online school fees can be viewed by clicking here.
Do you accept payment plans?
Yes. We offer annual, termly and monthly payment plans. You can see the details by clicking here.
Is there a sibling discount?
Yes. We offer a 5% discount on the lowest fee for siblings who are currently studying at Thomas Keith Independent School.
What are the entry requirements for applying to Thomas Keith Independent School?
We require students to be fluent in English.
Do I need special equipment or software to attend Thomas Keith Independent School?
You will need a computer, a laptop or a mobile device with internet access to attend Thomas Keith Independent School. You may check our technical requirements by clicking here.
What age groups are catered for at Thomas Keith Independent School?
We cater for students 5 years old and above. You can view year groups by clicking here.
Got more questions?
If you have more questions or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to our support team. We’re just an email away and ready to provide the answers you need.