The International
Baccalaureate
Sixth Form College
Colchester
The International Baccalaureate
• 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 International Baccalaureate
The IB diploma is a two-year
course allowing the study of six
subjects in a structured format
which ensures educational
breadth.
The International Baccalaureate
• 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 International Baccalaureate
The different levels allow
students to specialise and to
develop their interests and
strengths without losing the
breadth of education they
experienced at GCSE.
The International Baccalaureate
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 International Baccalaureate
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 International Baccalaureate
• 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.
The International Baccalaureate
• 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.
The International Baccalaureate
• 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
The International Baccalaureate
• 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.
The International Baccalaureate
Group 1
English H & S
Group 2
French H & S
German H & S
Spanish H, S & ab
Italian S ab initio
Extended Essay
Theory of Knowledge
Creativity, Action,
Group 4
Service
Physics H
Chemistry H
Biology H & S
Environmental Systems
Group 6 or Electives
and Societies S
Music H & S
Art H & S
Theatre H
Computer Science H
Group 3
Philosophy H & S
Psychology H & S
Geography H & S
Economics H
History H
Group 5
Maths H /S
Maths Studies S
Possible Combinations
• English H
• Theatre H
• History H
• Maths H/S
• Biology S
• German S
English S
Maths H/S
Comp Science H
Physics H
French S
Psychology S
Possible Combinations
• English H
• Philosophy H
• Visual art H
• Maths Studies S
• Spanish ab init
• Env Systems S
English S
Maths H/S
Italian ab init
Chemistry H
Biology H
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
•
•
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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
* Risk-takers
* Knowledgeable
* Caring
* Principled
* Open minded
* Thinkers
* Balanced
* Reflective
* 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
The International Baccalaureate
For more information
• www.ibo.org
• The College Prospectus
• Jim Morrissey, IB co-ordinator
morrisseyj@colchsfc.ac.uk
01206-500778
Minds are like parachutes –
they work best when opened