[Skip to Page Head]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are you offering both A Levels and the IB Diploma?

We are running the International Baccalaureate Diploma alongside A Levels in order to offer your daughter the widest choice. We have been watching the progress and acceptance of the IB and feel that it is right to have this in our sixth form provision. We believe that the IB complements our existing A Level programme.

Is IB better than A Levels?

IB and A levels are well-regarded and well-established. A Levels offer a greater range of subjects while the IB Diploma is a more integrated programme. They differ from each other in structure and approach but neither is better or worse.

What do the universities think about IB?

IB and A Levels both provide a good grounding for university. Recipients of the IB diploma enjoy a high rate of acceptance at leading universities as do our girls as recipients of A Levels. The IBO lists the universities that publish an IB recognition policy on the country pages of their website. The majority of universities accept the IB. If your daughter has already chosen her university then she can make sure it’s one that accepts the IB by checking their website.

Is the IB only for students who are all-rounders?

No. As with A Levels, the IB Diploma can be accessed by all students. Although they will study six subjects for the IB Diploma they do not have to be exceptional in all six. Only three are studied for higher level exams, the other three being at standard level. The IB Diploma does require efficient organisation and good time management – both valuable skills for university and the world of work.

What type of girl should choose the IB?

Someone who wants to continue with and enjoys a wide range of subjects and who is organised because there are long term deadlines, projects and course work to manage and there are no examinations at the end of the first year to focus the mind.

How big will the classes be?

As with our A Level classes, IB classes will usually have a maximum of 14 students.

How does the workload compare with A Levels?

For A Level each subject has 10 periods, so a student doing 4 AS Levels would have 40 periods a week with 4 hours AS prep per week per subject and at A Level each subject has 6 hours prep per week per subject. For the IB, Higher Level subjects will have 9 periods a week and each standard level will have between 5 and 6 periods per subject per week. Prep will be 3 ½ hours per higher level per subject per week and 2 hours standard level per subject per week. They will also have Theory of Knowledge (TOK) lessons and will have 1 hour TOK prep per week.

How are you running extra-curricular activities?

We are offering the Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) programme to all students in Sixth Form College. For those studying the IB Diploma the CAS programme is a required part of their course. For those studying A Levels we believe the CAS programme will give your daughter the chance to experience an incredibly exciting and wide-ranging enrichment programme. In CAS the creative element encompasses a broad range of activities from art and drama to design, dance or writing. The action component includes anything physical. Naturally sport can be a major element but at the same time so can expeditions, trips etc. Service involves interaction with the wider local, national or international community doing things with and for others. It could include helping children with special needs at a local centre, building schools in the Gambia or raising funds for favourite charities.

If a student has all the course prerequisites for IB, what would be a reason for not taking the IB Diploma Programme?

If the student did not want to do it. If a student is not ready for the IB style of learning (long-term deadlines, projects, portfolios, orals, extensive discussion of topics). The only reason to do the IB Diploma is if the student is motivated to do it. This may be because she wants to study fewer subjects or wants to put together her own programme of study.

The following are from the IBO website: What is the International Baccalaureate?

The International Baccalaureate (IB) is an independent nonprofit educational foundation based in Geneva, Switzerland. It offers three programmes: the Diploma Programme in the final two years of the secondary school, the Middle Years Programme for students aged 11 to 16, and the Primary Years Programme for students aged 3 to 12.

How many schools offer IB programmes?

There are nearly 1,789 schools in 124 countries authorised to offer IB programs (Diploma Programme, Middle Years Programme, Primary Years Programme). At present 137 schools in the UK offer the IB Diploma.

Can students with special needs participate in an IB programme?

Yes. The IB has established policies for accommodating students with special needs. Schools are asked to notify the IB of participating students whom they have identified as having special needs.

Is the IB programme elitist

No. At its inception, the IB Diploma Programme was generally found in private, international schools. Nevertheless, the IB has always been committed to making an IB education available to students. The DfES has recently said it is committed to introducing the IB into Schools across the country.

Is the Diploma Programme curriculum the same all over the world?

The core requirements are the same but there is room for flexibility. The courses offered by one school may differ somewhat from those of another school.

 

News

Vicky Tuck – Telegraph Articles

Vicky Tuck – Telegraph Articles

Please see the links below for the latest Telegraph articles written by Vicky Tuck. 26 April 2010, 26 March 2010, 05 February 2010, 11 January 201...

Read More

Henley Royal Regatta

Henley Royal Regatta

On the 30th June 2010, twenty rowers including staff set off at 8:30am for an exciting trip to Henley. On the coach, whilst complimenting each other’s...

Read More

Rabbit

Rabbit

Performing in the cast of 'Rabbit' was a brilliant experience because I had immense fun and learnt so much at the same time. I had the chance...

Read More

IB Results

IB Results

There was a palpable sense of excitement in College as we awaited our first set of IB Diploma results and I warmly congratulate staff and girls on the...

Read More

Hunchbacks, Knights, Dwarves and Giants

Hunchbacks, Knights, Dwarves and Giants

A talk by Dan Evans on the Gonzaga of Mantua and their ArtistsThe art historian, Dan Evans, commenced his presentation on the court of Mantua with a s...

Read More