The International Baccalaureate Sixth Form College Colchester

The International Baccalaureate

Sixth Form College Colchester


• The International Baccalaureate is an alternative to AS and A levels.

• 198 schools and colleges in the U.K. offer the I.B.

The International Baccalaureate• we are currently preparing students for

jobs that don’t yet exist…using technologies that haven’t been invented…in order to solve problems that we don’t even know are problems yet.

• What skills do our students need to develop?


The IB diploma is a two-year course allowing the study of six subjects in a structured format which ensures educational breadth.


• Three (or four) subjects are studied at Higher Level. This is broadly comparable to A Level standard.

• Three (or two) subjects are studied at Standard Level. This is broadly comparable to AS Level standard.


The different levels allow students to specialise and to develop their interests and strengths without losing the breadth of education they experienced at GCSE.


To complete the full diploma students must also follow a Theory of Knowledge course, write an Extended Essay and complete 150 hours of activities – CAS.


The IB is examined by internal assessment (coursework, essays, practicals and orals) and examination.

There is only one session of examinations, in May of the second year.


• The IB is not graded by letters but by points.

• Each subject in the IB can score up to 7 points, whether it is at Higher or Standard level

• A grade 7 would be comparable to an A/A* at A or AS Level.


• You can pass the Diploma with 24 points (subject to certain requirements)

• Students can score up to 45 points, but a perfect result of 45 points is very rare.


• There are up to 3 extra points available for the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge.

• To achieve a diploma you must do sufficiently well in the Extended Essay and TOK, and complete the CAS requirements

University Access

• In the new UCAS tariff, an IB score of 29 points is deemed to be equivalent to 3 Grade A’s at A level

• College average score this year was 31 points which is equivalent to 3 Grade A’s and a B at A level

• IB students have gone on to most universities in the UK to study a range of subjects


• Students choose their six subjects, one from each of six groups.

• These subject groups are often shown around a hexagon with the other requirements for the IB diploma in the centre.


Extended Essay

Theory of Knowledge

Creativity, Action, Service

Group 1English H & S

Group 3 Philosophy H & S Psychology H & SGeography H & S

Economics HHistory H

Group 2French H & SGerman H & S

Spanish H, S & ab Italian S ab initio

Group 5Maths H /S

Maths Studies S

Group 4Physics H

Chemistry HBiology H & S

Environmental Systems and Societies S

Group 6 or ElectivesMusic H & SArt H & STheatre H

Computer Science H

Possible Combinations

• English H English S• Theatre H Maths H/S• History H Comp Science

H• Maths H/S Physics H• Biology S French S• German S Psychology S

Possible Combinations

• English H English S• Philosophy H Maths H/S• Visual art H Italian ab init• Maths Studies S Chemistry H• Spanish ab init Biology H• Env Systems S Philosophy H

The Advantages of IB• A broad curriculum You end up with scientists who can string sentences

together and historians who can add up. Hugh Carson, Head of Malvern College

• Develops the whole person• Continuity of teaching groups• A world class qualification• No grade inflation• All external exams in May of 2nd Year• Results in Early July – earlier access to

University admissions

The Challenges of IB• A more limited range of options• Less flexibility• More subjects

What will I get from following the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme?• A template for life long learning• A well rounded educational experience• Preparation for an ever-changing world and the

transferable skills to embrace a vision of the future

• A qualification that is highly respected not only in this country but worldwide.

• A cross-cultural, practical, multi-disciplinary and student centred curriculum

• Time management and study skills

The IB Learner Profile

* Inquirers * Open minded* Risk-takers * Thinkers* Knowledgeable * Balanced * Caring * Reflective * Principled * Communicators

What they say…………???

• “The depth and breadth is astonishing, they can’t really make a mistake. They are numerate, literate, have a language and a science” Principal, Abbey School Reading

• “It gives teachers and students more independence. We’ve found it liberating” Principal, Sevenoaks School


For more information

• www.ibo.org

• The College Prospectus

• Jim Morrissey, IB [email protected]

01206-500778

Minds are like parachutes – they work best when opened

Documents

The International Baccalaureate Sixth Form College Colchester