International Baccalaureate Diploma

Background

The idea for the International Baccalaureate originally evolved in Oxford during the 1960s, as a means of combining the strengths of both UK and French educational systems. The IB became a reality in 1968 and today, with its headquarters based in Geneva, includes ¾ million students in nearly 3,000 schools across 138 countries. The UK, with just fewer than 200, has the second highest number of schools offering the Diploma Programme behind the US.

The IB Diploma offers a balanced all-round sixth form education, which provides both breadth and rigour. The curriculum is designed to promote independent learning and excellence across a range of disciplines. Rather than having to specialise straight after GCSEs, individuals are able to keep up a broader range of academic subjects, whilst still opting to study a few in greater depth. The Diploma is highly regarded internationally and recognised by all major universities in the UK and abroad.

St. Edward’s started teaching the IB Diploma in September 2008 alongside the current AS/A Level system. The programme has proved popular with approximately 30 pupils in each of our first two cohorts. The driving force in our decision to teach the IB Diploma has been our belief in its educational philosophy and the additional choice it offers our pupils. Key elements of this philosophy are enquiry, intercultural understanding and becoming an active, compassionate and lifelong learner. This fits in with the ethos of St. Edward’s and the breadth of opportunity we endeavour to offer.

Subjects Studied

For the IB Diploma pupils choose 6 academic subjects, studying 3 at Higher Level (HL) and 3 at Standard Level (SL). One subject must be chosen from each of the first 5 subject groups and the sixth may either come from Group 6 or be an additional choice from Groups 2, 3 or 4.

The six groups and their component subjects are as follows (these may be subject to change):

Gp 1 English:                       English (Language & Literature combined)
Gp 2 Languages:                 French, Italian, German, Spanish; Latin, Classical Greek
Gp 3 Humanities:               Economics, Geography, History, Philosophy, ESS*
Gp 4 Sciences:                   Biology, Chemistry, Physics; Design, ESS*
Gp 5 Maths:                       Maths, Maths Studies
Gp 6 Arts:                          Music, Theatre Arts, Visual Arts

* Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS) is a “transdisciplinary” subject,

  meaning it satisfies the requirements for both Groups 3 & 4

These six subject groups wrap around and are interconnected through the programme’s hexagon core (see below), which consists of the Learner Profile and the three core elements:

Extended Essay (EE)                                    4000 word essay based on independent research

Theory of Knowledge (TOK)                         study of knowledge across academic disciplines

Creativity, Action & Service (CAS)              150 hours of extra-curricular activities and community service

The Extended Essay enables pupils to investigate a particular topic of interest and undertake independent research to a level which prepares them well for undergraduate studies. Universities are particularly attracted to this element of the Diploma and it is considered to be advantage in admissions interviews.

TOK allows pupils to reflect critically on what knowledge is and understand how it is constructed. The course prompts individuals to be aware of themselves as thinkers and enables them to evaluate their own views with greater clarity. It also encourages tolerance and a realisation that alternative views may be right.

CAS is often compared to the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, but without the expedition component. It aligns very closely with the co-curricular philosophy of St. Edward’s, since it encourages an appreciation of creativity, athletic involvement and a commitment to community service.

Practicalities

An IB Diploma student studying 3 subjects at HL and 3 at SL should expect to have a timetable of approximately 33 x 40min lessons (including TOK) each week. This is comparable to a student studying 4 A levels, who would have around 30 lessons each week.

Most subjects have between 20-30% Internal Assessment (i.e. coursework) which is produced throughout the 2 year programme. All external exams are taken over a 3 week period in May of the Upper Sixth and results are published to candidates on 6^th July every year.

Results & Offers

The scoring of the IB Diploma is very different to the grading system associated with AS and A levels. Each academic subject (HL or SL) is given a score out of 7, giving a total of 42 for the 6 subjects. In addition, pupils can gain up to 3 extra points, depending on how well they perform in the assessed elements of the Core (Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge). Therefore, 45 is the maximum score possible (equivalent to 720 UCAS points or 6 As at A level) and this was achieved by only 75 pupils worldwide in May 2009.

University offers tend to be based on a total mark (out of 45) and often include a further requirement to achieve a certain score in the Higher Level subject(s) most relevant to the degree course applied for.

Typical offers from leading universities for 2008-9

Oxbridge               38-42, plus 7, 7, 6 or 7, 6, 6 for HL subjects

Russell Group       32-38, plus 6 in relevant HL subject(s)

After A levels, the IB Diploma is by far the most common qualification at leading universities such as Oxford, Cambridge and Warwick.

Recent news articles

Independent 01/12/09                      “Students should study more academic subjects”

Sunday Telegraph 08/11/09             “Students need more A grades to secure university places”

Daily Telegraph 07/11/09                 “Is the baccalaureate breaking past A levels?”

Daily Telegraph 03/11/09                 “A levels are not the only answer”

Daily Telegraph 15/10/09                 “A Levels should be scrapped in favour of the IB”

SKY News 14/10/09                          Sir Michael Rake’s interview on SKY News video player

Independent 10/09/09                       “Why schools love the International Baccalaureate”
Independent 21/08/09                       “School that does not do A-levels tops league table”

Independent 18/09/08                       “Why the Bacc is the way forward”

Financial Times 10/05/08                  “The best exam route to university”

Guardian 25/03/08                            “Knowing how to know” (ie the benefits of TOK)

Further information

International Baccalaureate              http://www.ibo.org/informationfor/parents/

UCAS Tariff                                            http://www.ucas.com/students/ucas_tariff/tarifftables/

REFORM (educational think tank)     “Core Business” Educational Report published December 2009

REFORM (educational think tank)     “A new level” Educational Report published June 2009

If you would like any more information about the IB Diploma Programme at St. Edward’s, please do not hesitate to contact any of the following:

Matt Parker, the Diploma Programme coordinator, at parkerm@stedwards.oxon.sch.uk

Kirsty Jones, the CAS coordinator, at jonesk@stedwards.oxon.sch.uk

Ian Rowley, the Senior Tutor and Extended Essay supervisor, at rowleyi@stedwards.oxon.sch.uk

 Presentation to 5th Form Parents - click here (pdf. version of a PowerPoint Presentation)

Exam timetable - Summer 2010 - click here