How online education works in wartime for IGCSE pupils
“As an international school, we place great value on having students and their parents in many different countries,” says Sarah Bacon, Principal of Wendover Online School. “Our experience with Year 11 pupils in Ukraine is a powerful reminder of how effective remote learning can be, whatever the circumstances.”
Supporting the British International School in Ukraine
When the Russian invasion began in February 2022, the Head of the British International School in Ukraine (‘BISU’, a group of four schools) approached Wendover for help delivering online lessons. School and family life has been disrupted for many months, particularly for the two BISU schools in Kiev, and since teachers are among those who have left for safer places it has been hard for schools to provide a consistent education.
BISU’s ethos and expertise fit closely with those of Wendover, so it was agreed in June that Wendover would deliver online lessons to BISU’s Year 11 students for this crucial exam year.
An international curriculum
Wendover’s teachers specialise in online learning, helping their students to gain the maximum benefit from engaging, personalised small group lessons. We are experienced in teaching students across the world, including those studying for international exams.
Wendover Online School is now helping Ukrainian students continue their studies for Cambridge IGCSEs in English Language and Literature, History, Geography, Business Studies and Computer Science. Our teachers are working hard to help the students catch up with parts of the curriculum they have missed, to embed their learning and prepare for this year’s exams.
Learning in difficult circumstances
“We see some of the difficulties faced by our students as they try to learn in an uncertain environment,” says Jude Richardson, Director of Teaching and Learning at Wendover. “Many of the Ukrainian students have left their homes; some have returned, but log in from air raid shelters, or must flee to a bunker when the siren sounds. Power supplies are erratic, so contact can depend on where there is a generator – we now record all our lessons, so that students can catch up at a better time.”
Jude is confident that Wendover’s experience in online learning is helping to provide some sense of continuity and normality. “It is immensely rewarding to be able to help, and we know that our Ukrainian students are making much better progress as a result.”
Practical challenges of learning across borders
As an international school, Wendover is used to working with a variety of cultural differences. Wendover teachers take the two-hour time-shift in their stride.
Wendover Ukrainian students must attend their online lessons and wear their school uniform whenever possible, and they remain in close contact with the BISU team.
Like British students during the pandemic lockdown, Ukrainian students are likely to gain many of their qualifications this year through centre-assessed grades, rather than attending exam centres. Wendover is therefore helping students not only to make up lost time, but to familiarise them with this process and boost their confidence.
Sharing experience
One of the pleasures of an international online school is that both staff and pupils gain an insight into other lives. “When we share joint classes with our students in Ukraine, such as Geography or PSHE lessons, the students have the opportunity to see and hear from people experiencing different things,” notes Jude. “The personal stories resonate with them, and everyone gains a more global perspective – an education in itself.”
Thank you, Wendover, for providing an excellent international online education across the miles
Principal of BISU, David Cole, agrees. “This situation has been forced upon us, but we are grateful to everyone at Wendover Online School for the expert support they have given our staff and pupils. Our Ukrainian students are catching up fast with their studies under the care of Sarah and her team, and it is clear that the holistic support and understanding is also benefitting our families. Thank you, Wendover, for providing an excellent international online education across the miles.”
Watch the BISU video, A school Year Amid Ongoing War to see more.
Find out more about our international curriculum expertise by contacting Jude or Sarah at +44 1604 213 477 or email on enquiries@wendoverschool.com. Alternatively, download our Prospectus.
