insideKENT Magazine Issue 30 - September 2014 | Page 141

EDUCATION

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Cobham Hall
The term 'International
Baccalaureate' may not
have the same familiar
ring as 'A-Level', but for
anyone who wants a
broad, balanced
education, it would be a
good idea to become
familiar with the IB.
Increasing numbers of schools are
turning to the IB. At Cobham Hall,
an all-girls independent boarding
and day school in Cobham, Kent,
the IB is considered of such value
that it has been offered exclusively
after replacing A-Levels in 2009.
The IB is the perfect complement
to the school's Round Square
ethos, which prepares girls to be
thoughtful, principled citizens in a
complex modern society.
What is the IB exactly, and should
you choose it over A-Levels?

The IB Diploma is a Sixth Form
qualification that puts students a
cut above the rest and enables
entry into the world's best
universities. It also equips them with
the life skills, character and
academic experience needed to
take the university route or go
straight into the workplace.

creative extra-curricular interests. Meanwhile, the additional service
component (Creative, Action and Service – CAS) develops other elements
of character and experience. Along with a critical thinking course and a
student-led extended research essay, all of the parts of the IB Diploma
combine to produce a young adult who is reflective, both internally and
externally aware, and who understands the value of hard work and reasoned,
intellectual analysis.
Finally, according to both former Cobham Hall IB students and independent
research, the IB is widely believed to prepare young people well for
university with the top IB achievers faring even better than their A-Level
contemporaries do.

The strength of the IB lies in its
breadth. Students who take the full
diploma study six subjects across
a number of different disciplines,
as well as pursuing physical and

www.cobhamhall.com

141