IB – Best of Both Worlds

In a diverse and increasingly multicultural world every student at an international school has their own unique set of needs and aspirations. However, when it comes to selecting a post-16 course, there are two fundamental requirements which are common to everyone.

First, it is essential that the course results in qualifications which allow every student to progress to the next phase in their education or career. The International Baccalaureate Diploma is unique in that it offers a truly international qualification which is not tied to any particular national system, leading to recognition by universities from all over the world. With over 775,000 students in 138 countries, the IB is expanding rapidly and is seen by many institutions as the best pre-university course around. A strong IB Diploma can let students gain admission to one of the best universities in the world.

Even more important, though, is that students develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes that will lead to a successful life. When students have completed their secondary schooling, they must be ready to face the challenges of independent study at university or college, often living alone for the first time in their lives. Merely getting a student to a good university is not enough. The student needs to have the academic background and the study skills to enable them to thrive in that environment and then go on to build a successful career.

In the International Baccalaureate Mission Statement, a stated aim is to offer programmes which “encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.” This is excellent preparation for students in an increasingly challenging, cosmopolitan and rapidly changing world.

Every IB Diploma student studies six different subjects, which must include courses in literature, a second language, a social science, a natural science and Mathematics. They are also strongly encouraged to study one of the arts. This breadth of study helps to develop the sort of well-rounded education which is demanded by our increasingly cosmopolitan globalised society.

All IB subjects incorporate a coursework element, ensuring that a significant part of the assessment is based on applying the knowledge learned in class. The Science courses, for example, are designed to provide a balance between understanding theory and practical experimentation. In Arts subjects such as Film and Visual Art, the entire syllabus is coursework-based, meaning that learners are actually creating art as well as studying it.

However, what particularly distinguishes the IB Diploma from other post-16 courses are three unique elements, all of which are geared towards developing the skills which will bring success in higher education. These are the Extended Essay, the Theory of Knowledge course and the Creativity, Action, Service programme.

Students will find that in university there is an increasing focus on producing work which is well-researched and written to a high academic standard. Working on the 4,000-word Extended Essay allows them to develop some of those skills under the expert supervision of experienced teaching staff. Selecting one of their six subjects, they form a thesis question on a topic of their choice before embarking on extensive research. The net result of a process which can take a whole year and several drafts and redrafts is a piece of work which is of greater quality and depth than anything they have ever done before.

The Theory of Knowledge course helps to develop analytical and critical thinking skills. Combining a philosophical approach with a more practical look at how knowledge is obtained in contrasting academic disciplines, it encourages rigorous thinking processes as well as an understanding of different perspectives. Part of the assessment is by oral presentation, which develops important public speaking skills.

The third of these special elements of the IB is the Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) programme, which aims to help students realise their potential to become leaders and organisers, as well as to establish their position as a contributing member of a caring community. It is a practical course which takes place outside the classroom and involves such varied activities as sport, drama, art, creative skills and community service. IB students take ownership of this process by setting targets for their self-development and by reflecting on their own progress throughout.

CAS projects invariably produce some memorable moments. The Creativity component allows for unforgettable performances in music and drama, remarkable solo performances or essential contributions backstage on props and lighting. The Action part of the CAS programme opens up opportunities to learn survival skills or to develop sporting prowess. In the area of Service, links may be established with charities or other service organisations, both locally and internationally. Students may be involved in the practical work of those organisations and also raise money for charitable causes.

All in all, the International Baccalaureate Diploma provides a coherent, yet varied, educational experience. The emphasis on independent inquiry and the demanding workload provide ideal preparation for higher education and promote attitudes that will stand students in good stead throughout their lives.

For more information about schools and education in Abu Dhabi please visit the site of the British International School Abu Dhabi.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Lesley-Ann Wallace joined the BISAD team in December 2010. She was previously Assistant Principal at our Nord Anglia school in Puxi Shanghai, and part of the school leadership since the school opened in August 2005. Lesley-Ann has extensive experience in international education. Prior to joining the team in Shanghai she was in Gulf English School Kuwait and Garden International School Malaysia. Her UK experience was based in the north of England where she took on her first SLT role as Raising Attainment Coordinator followed by a Deputy Headship. Lesley-Ann is currently part of the National College of School Leadership and recently completed her NPQH (National Professional Qualification for Headship). She is the proud mum of Thomas and Ciara, and married to Noel, a member of the PE department.