THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA STRUCTURE
If you are confident across a range of subject areas you should be extremely successful on the International Baccalaureate Diploma programme. This particularly appeals to those who are excited at the thought of learning with people from different cultural backgrounds and who are attracted by the idea of learning within an international context. Students will leave GEMS Bolitho School equipped with qualifications required for universities across the world.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) programme is a rigorous programme. Based on the pattern of no single country, it is a deliberate compromise between the specialisation required in some national systems and the breadth preferred in others. The general objectives of the IB are to provide students with a balanced education, to facilitate geographic and cultural mobility and to promote international understanding through a shared academic experience.
In the thirty years since its founding the IB Diploma has become a symbol of academic integrity and intellectual promise. The Diploma is awarded on successful completion of the whole programme, with a point score based on results in each subject. It is accepted for admission to universities in virtually every country in the world.
Three subjects are taken at higher level and three at standard level. Students choose one subject from each group, 1 to 5. Those interested in the Arts may take a subject from group six; others may choose to study a second modern foreign language, a second science or a second subject from group three.
SUBJECTS OFFERED
Group 1: Native Language
The following languages are offered: English, German and Chinese.
Those students who do not have English as a mother tongue can benefit greatly from the IB system. They can either take their own language as their second language, ensuring very high marks, or they can take their own language as their first language, which allows them to take English as a second language.
Group 2: Foreign Language
The following languages are offered: English, German, French, French Ab Initio and Spanish Ab Initio.
Group 3: Individuals and Societies
The following subjects are offered: History, Geography, Psychology and Economics.
Group 4: Experimental Sciences
The following are offered: Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Environmental Systems (SL only).
Group 5: Mathematics
Various options within Mathematics are available to cater for different abilities and levels of student interest.
The IB Board places Computer Science in the same Group as Mathematics (Group 5). However, because of the timetabling system for subjects Bolitho has placed Computer Science in Group 6.
Group 6: The Arts, Electives and Computer Science
Visual Arts and Music are offered within Group 6. Students may also pick from the other groups and take a third Language, second Individuals and Societies course, second Experimental Science, Computer Science or another subject.
Core Components
In addition to the six subjects, all students follow the following courses:
Theory of Knowledge
An interdisciplinary requirement intended to stimulate critical reflection on the knowledge and experience gained inside and outside the classroom.
Creativity, Action and Service
This programme gives all students the opportunity to take part in a wide range of musical and artistic activities, sports and community service placements.
The Extended Essay
Each student has the opportunity to investigate a topic and write an essay of 4000 words. This should be chosen from one of the subjects on offer at the school and, as the student will have to spend a considerable amount of time researching it, should be one that the student is particularly interested in.
To quote the International Baccalaureate Organisation;
“The IBO recommends that a student devote a total of about 40 hours of private study and writing time to the essay. It may be written on one of 60 subjects, including many languages.
The essay permits students to deepen their programmes of study, for example by selecting a topic in one of their higher level (HL) courses. Or they might add breadth to their academic experience by electing to write on a subject not included in their programme choices.”
ASSESSMENT
Assessment for the IB Diploma is largely externally-based with practical tasks, such as science investigations, laboratory work, performances and composition in music, exhibitions in the Visual Arts and projects in the Information Technology subjects, all being assessed by the teachers at the school, moderated by the IB organisation for consistency.
INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Sixth form students will take part in European Socrates and Comenius programmes with our partner schools in Denmark, Norway, Hungary, Italy and Portugal.
Additionally all students will be offered the opportunity to undertake one week of work experience in Denmark and will stay at one of our Danish partner schools during this time.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
To gain entry to the IB programme you need to achieve at least a C grade in five subjects at GCSE level, to include Mathematics and English. For subjects you wish to take at higher level you will need at least a B grade.