Frequently Asked Questions

We get it—this is not your typical setup. It’s not quite a worldschooling hub, not a boarding school, and definitely not just online learning. Think of it as an adventure in education: a mobile, mindful, academically-grounded journey for curious teens and their families.

Still got questions? You’re not alone. Here are some of the things people ask us most often...

How is my child protected with Global Classroom?

Safety is non-negotiable for us. We have a robust safeguarding and child protection policy in place, informed by many years of experience in alternative education settings around the world. Unlike many informal hubs or worldschooling operations, we operate with clear protocols and boundaries to ensure student well-being at all times.

Our co-founder Natalie is a qualified social worker and mindfulness practitioner, bringing a deep commitment to emotional safety and holistic support. All facilitators undergo background checks and child protection training, and our program design ensures supervision, respectful relationships, and a nurturing environment where every child is seen, heard, and supported.

Is this a worldschooling hub?

Not exactly. While we align with the spirit of worldschooling—learning through travel, cultural immersion, and real-world experience—we offer a more structured, guided educational model. Our curriculum is designed with intention and coherence, offering academic depth alongside student agency, which distinguishes us from many more spontaneous or ad-hoc worldschooling hubs.

What age group is this designed for?

Our program is intended for young people aged 11 to 18, though we are flexible. We believe deeply in mixed-age learning, where students support, mentor, and inspire one another. Research shows that learning in multi-age groups fosters collaboration, confidence, and deeper inquiry—far beyond the age-based silos of traditional schooling.

I have a teenager and a younger child. Can we join as a family?

What type of learner is this program best suited for?

The Global Classroom is designed for curious, open-minded, and self-motivated learners who are excited by new cultures, real-world challenges, and meaningful collaboration. It's a great fit for learners who:

Thrive in hands-on, project-based learning

Prefer mixed-age, non-traditional environments

Enjoy travel, flexibility, and new experiences

Want academic depth without the rigidity of mainstream schooling

Are interested in pursuing creative or alternative pathways to university

If that sounds like your child, you might want to check out our Learner Profile—it gives a deeper sense of the values, qualities, and mindset we aim to nurture.

What does a typical day look like?

There is no fixed daily timetable, as we are not a conventional school. Instead, we follow a rhythm that balances learner-led inquiry, facilitator-guided exploration, and real-world experiences. You can view a sample week on our "Example Day".

What happens if there's a serious behavioral or safety issue?

We value open communication, mutual respect, and restorative approaches. In cases of serious concern—such as behavior that impacts the safety or well-being of others—we follow a clear protocol involving students, parents, and facilitators. You can learn more in our Code of Conduct

How much screen time is involved?

During the 7-week in-person terms, screen time will be minimal. Most learning will take place through projects, fieldwork, discussion, and hands-on experiences. In the remote learning weeks, learners will use screens more—mainly for research, check-ins, and collaborative projects. Even then, the structure is focused on active learning, not passive screen use. See our policy on IT and AI use.

How can I support my child during remote sessions if I work full-time?

Remote sessions are designed for learner independence. Our flipped model provides clear expectations, project outlines, and facilitator check-ins—so learners can work autonomously with minimal parent oversight. Think of it more like project-based homeschooling with structure, rather than constant online schooling.

How big will the group be?

We aim to keep the group intimate and impactful—no more than 20 learners per cohort. This allows for strong relationships, personalized support, and rich collaboration.

Will the group be mixed age?

Yes. Mixed-age learning is at the heart of our approach. Learners will engage in shared themes and projects with age-appropriate scaffolding, peer mentorship, and differentiated pathways.

Will my child adapt well, given their homeschooling background?

Absolutely, a large portion of the families we will work with have children who are homeschooled, unschooled, or come from worldschooling backgrounds. The Global Classroom is designed specificallywith these learners in mind. The environment is not like traditional school—our days are filled with outdoor, experiential learning, group projects, creative expression, and reflection. There’s plenty of structure, but within a flexible and supportive framework. We will have a base, but rarely be based there, as the curriculum will have students using the locale as their classroom. There will also be some reflective time, which homeschoolers would easily adapt to, more so than those coming from traditional settings.

Will bullying be an issue?

In our experience, a small community creates a very different social dynamic than what you’d find in a mainstream school. We will place a strong emphasis on emotional intelligence, empathy, and restorative practices from day one. We plan to have daily check-ins, peer circles, and mindfulness sessions that foster connection and safety. We are also developing a range of policies to help guide us, which includes a code of conduct which we would require all learners and families to agree to. We have worked widely with restorative practices, based on the work of Paul Dix (https://www.pauldix.org), which in essence is about creating a culture where we are not having to be reactive to behaviour. That said, we don’t pretend conflicts never arise—what’s different is how we will address them.

Who will be facilitating this program?

Our plan is to have two lead facilitators:

One with a background in humanities, English, and school leadership.

One with a background in STEM.

They will co-create learning experiences, support students in core academic and personal growth areas, and coordinate with guest experts and local educators.

Is there a curriculum?

Yes. We follow a transdisciplinary, evolving curriculum that is structured yet adaptable. It is informed by the IB Diploma Programme but is not bound by it. This alignment ensures academic rigor and future readiness without sacrificing flexibility or creativity.

Why align the curriculum with the IB?

Many worldschooling families with teens seek more academic structure and express concerns about university pathways. We’ve designed the curriculum to build the skills, mindset, and content needed for learners to transition into IB exams or portfolio-based applications if they choose.

Can my child sit exams through your program?

No, we are not an exam center. However, we are connected with IB partner schools and testing centers in Asia, where learners can register independently for exams.

Is this a one-year program?

Yes and no. The curriculum is spiraled—meaning each year builds on the last—so students can join for one year or continue over multiple years. Each cohort follows its own progression, but learning deepens over time.

Will you return to the same locations each year?

Do I have to sign up for a full year?

Nope! While the program is designed as a full-year journey (with three rotating terms), you’re not locked in. Families can choose to join for just one or two terms. That said, priority is given to those committing to the full year, and year-long enrolments receive a reduced fee. This allows us to build continuity in the group and curriculum, and helps families get the full benefit of the spiraled learning experience.

Do families live together as a community?

No. Unlike some travel-based programs, we don’t live communally. Families arrange their own accommodation and are free to connect with others as much—or as little—as they wish. We value both autonomy and connection.

Will there be community activities?

Yes, although this is not a fully community-based model, we’ll be traveling together as a learning group. There will be optional gatherings, outings, and social opportunities. We also expect some natural community-building during shared fieldwork and reflection time.