THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA PROGRAMME
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
EDUCATION
SEVENOAKS SCHOOL
THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA PROGRAMME
2018 MARKS THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF SEVENOAKS SCHOOL INTRODUCING THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA . IT STEADILY BECAME THE QUALIFICATION OF CHOICE BY STUDENTS AND PARENTS , AND REPLACED A-LEVELS COMPLETELY NEARLY TWENTY YEARS AGO .
This year also marks the 50 year anniversary of the conception of the IB . Designed to promote a global perspective , understanding and communication , the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme ’ s ( IBDP ’ s ) values and identity have remained consistent , and now , more than ever , Sevenoaks believes it is the best education for the modern world . The programme encourages students to value conflict resolution , to respect cultural heritage and the environment , and to develop an attitude of responsibility to the wider community .
Worldwide , the IB Diploma is now taken by nearly 142,000 students in over 2400 schools . Students take six subjects , including their native language and one other , mathematics , and at least one science and one humanity . They take a theory of knowledge course developing critical thinking and reasoning skills , and they follow a creativity , action and service programme in sport , the arts and voluntary work .
A key feature of the IBDP is the Extended Essay , an independent , 4000-word project on a subject chosen by the student , with a tutorialstyle model of supervision . It fosters independent learning and deep subject knowledge ; it is a superb preparation for undergraduate essays .
The breadth of the IBDP encourages an interdisciplinary style of learning . Students develop expert knowledge in the topics that most interest them , but are also encouraged to look beyond the traditional boundaries between academic disciplines , think critically across the curriculum and to appreciate and analyse multiple perspectives .
This strength of breadth and depth is one of the reasons why IB students are very effectively prepared for university and for the future workplace .
Universities therefore really like the IB ; by maintaining its standards , free from state interference , the IB has succeeded in achieving a consistency of assessment unparalleled elsewhere . Its 45-point scale enables Universities to make more nuanced offers to candidates than are possible under other schemes . IB students start their undergraduate careers with numeracy , literacy and language competency , a broad understanding of a range of disciplines and strong employability skills such as teamwork and problem-solving . They are experienced at managing a varied workload and can question , reflect and think critically . As a result , a number of universities , including King ’ s College London , Leeds , Bath and Birmingham , have substantially reduced their offers as a deliberate attempt to attract IB students .
As a consequence , the offer and acceptance rates for IB Diploma students are notably higher than those for other post-16 qualifications , and in the US , it is a soughtafter passport to top universities .
As Lord Jim Knight , former education minister , recently quoted : ‘ The IB is the best curriculum in the world right now . It combines academic rigour with real world skills in a global context .’
The IB has equally been endorsed by employers , with Becci McKinley-Rowe , Managing Director at Morgan Stanley , commenting : ‘ Managing a wide range of subjects to a high level encourages a ‘ very mature ’ approach , and the style of the IB programme teaches pupils to take ownership of their own learning . From an employer ’ s perspective , an applicant who has gone through the IB is already pretty familiar with having to juggle an awful lot , be efficient and prioritise , and that organisational element is very useful for employers .’
The IB is also getting more focus from organisations like the OECD . Andreas Schleicher , Director for Education and Skills at the OECD , states that : ‘ IB schools have evolved into one of the most innovative models for forward-looking education , developing students who can think for themselves and work with others , and who are open to the world and future .’
Sevenoaks has been a flagship school for the IB for many years . The IB provides what parents , universities and employers want – access to top universities , very impressive students and well-rounded , resourceful employees - but just as importantly , it encourages inquiry , reflection and delight in learning . Students leave us with a modern and international worldview and with a desire to shape and to improve the world .
www . sevenoaksschool . org
122