Plymouth College has been awarded accreditation to run the globally-recognised international Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) from September 2009.
The diploma programme will run alongside traditional A Levels in the school’s sixth form. IB students will have their own lessons but all other elements of sixth form life such as the tutor group system, assemblies, games and extra-curricular activities will be fully integrated.
The structure of IB offers a true breadth of study, designed to equip students with the ability to not only be international in their outlook but also to develop independence in learning and life to give them an all-round educational benefit. Students choose six subjects from the ‘outer hexagon’, including a language, as well as completing the three elements from the ‘inner hexagon’ or core: Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and Creativity, Action, Service. These areas very much drive the IB ethos for encouraging an appreciation of other cultural perspectives, developing independent study and life skills and fostering students’ awareness and understanding of life outside the academic arena.
In awarding accreditation to run the diploma, the IB assessment team commended Plymouth College for “a strong collegiate spirit that centres upon the student and the desire to address the need for a broader, more holistic education. This is evidenced by a strong extra-curricular programme, the many existing links and exchanges outside the immediate school community and the sound pastoral and student support systems that are in place.”
Plymouth College Headmaster, Dr Simon Wormleighton said: “The International Baccalaureate is an exciting addition to the educational mix at Plymouth College. It is a rigorous qualification that possesses the ultimate level of portability in a world where national boundaries are increasingly becoming less significant, opening up endless possibilities for students to study at universities around the world. Equally, the qualification is highly-valued by UK universities not least because of the independent research element of the Extended Essay.
“As a school we very much encourage our pupils to look outwards, learning to respect themselves and others, becoming self-sufficient and independent so that by the time they leave school they will be ready to contribute responsibly as members of a global community. IB fits very much into this vision.”
To find out more about the International Baccalaureate Diploma at Plymouth College, please call Mrs Lambie on 01752 203245 or e-mail [email protected]
