The IB Diploma Programme is a demanding pre-university course for highly motivated students usually aged from 16 to 18 years, that equips students with the skills and attitudes necessary for success in higher education that will lead to employment. One of its greatest benefits for its graduates is its appeal to universities all over the world. Recognizing the width and depth of the Diploma course, the best universities reach out for Diploma graduates. Not only that, they grant admission concessions in recognition of the students’ readiness for university courses.

As an example, Calgary University in Canada offers incoming Diploma graduates preferential admission, preference in student accommodation, strong consideration for scholarships and credit for the whole of the first year’s studies. Such credits move students directly into the second year of their course. Not all universities are as generous, but they do offer credits and are more receptive to Diploma graduates.

What does the Diploma Course consist of?
The Curriculum is structured into six groups. They are

• Language A1
• Second Language
• Individuals and Societies
• Experimental Sciences – Physics, Chemistry and Biology
• Mathematics and Computer Sciences
• The Arts

Students are required to take six subjects, from each of the six groups, studied concurrently. Three, but no more than four, may be studied at Higher Level, the remainder being at Standard Level.

Other Core Requirements
There are three core requirements which make the IB Diploma different – the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge and CAS (Creativity, Action, Service). These components add to the breadth and depth already in the subjects listed above.

• The Extended Essay is a 4,000-word assignment which acquaints Diploma candidates with the kind of independent research and writing skills expected by universities.
• In Theory of Knowledge (TOK), students are stimulated to apply critical reflection on knowledge and experience.
• CAS (Creativity, Action, Service) helps students become responsible, compassionate citizens by working on a project of community or social service activities.

What makes the Diploma Programme so effective?

• The programme is a comprehensive two-year international curriculum
• It has international standards applied equally to all IB schools across the world
• It applies rigorous assessment, both internal and externally
• The programme combines breadth with depth
• It emphasises critical, compassionate thinking
• It promotes a global vision in a world of increasing international links.

The programme is genuinely international, in that it is devised internationally and is used in over 1,300 schools in 115 countries

Assessing Student work in the Diploma
Classroom teachers and IB examiners work in partnership. Academic judgements about the quality of student work rest with over 4,000 examiners worldwide. The Chief examiners in each subject are international authorities in their fields.

Achieving the Diploma
The programme is very demanding and not everyone who embarks on the course achieves a Diploma; but for hard working students of ability, the Diploma is within their reach.

Assessment and Reporting
The school uses many forms of assessment – observations, tests and examinations, student conferencing, anecdotal records and portfolios of students’ work being among the most common. The school will issue student report cards twice a year towards the end of each semester. Following the delivery of student report cards, the school will conduct parent / teacher evenings where our teachers will explain to parents how their children are progressing.
There will also be a special parent / teacher conference early in the year so that teachers can give parents a view of how their children have commenced the year.