Plymouth College is celebrating its second ever set of International Baccalaureate (IB) results, which sees an average point score that is equivalent to nearly 3 A*s at A Level.
Growing in popularity year on year, sixteen pupils completed the diploma which is run as an alternative option to A Levels in the Sixth Form. The average point score of 31 equates to 413 UCAS points. Top scorers are Anna Carstens and Megan Woodrow who both achieved 40 IB points, which equates to 611 UCAS points and is equivalent to more than 4A*s at A level. All sixteen pupils gained their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award as part of the diploma and the group were also nominated for an Inspiring Volunteering Award for work they did as part of the Creativity, Action, Service section.
Plymouth College was one of the first schools in the city to offer the diploma when it added the IB to its educational mix in 2009. Diploma programme students have their own lessons, but all other elements of Sixth Form life such as the tutor group system, assemblies, games and extra-curricular activities are 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 study six subjects, including a foreign language, science and humanities subject, and have to complete three compulsory elements: 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.
"I am absolutely delighted that our second set of IB results are so strong and pass on my warmest congratulation to all the students involved", said Plymouth College Headmaster, Dr Simon Wormleighton. "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."
