International Baccalaureate Students Celebrate Success!

Leighton Park IB students were celebrating today as their International Baccalaureate Diploma scores were released.

The score required to pass the IB is 24 points and the maximum achievement possible is 45 points. The 2023 cohort achieved 31.5 as an average number of points, more than 1.25 points above this year’s global average.

Words from students and staff

“I am especially proud of this year group who are the first IB students to sit public examinations without any special considerations for the impact of Covid on their education” commented Helen Taylor, Head of Sixth Form. “The disruption to their younger years, and particularly to their GCSE years, was significant. I am delighted that they have achieved such a strong set of results. Each student recognises and celebrates the significant academic progress they have made on their IB journey.”

“I’m so happy right now, genuinely!” laughed Giulia who came into School to enjoy her success with Helen, her IB teachers and the team in the Girls’ Boarding House.

What is the IB Diploma Programme?

The IB Diploma Programme is a phenomenal qualification. It prepares students for life at university and beyond in a way that few other Sixth Form programmes can do. The Diploma offers a much wider variety of academic subjects than A Levels with six choices, ranging from visual arts to the Sciences. It offers the chance for students to select either a higher or standard level of study.

Community, Activity, Service

The additional compulsory units include Community, Activity, Service (CAS). This ensures physical and mental wellbeing and inspires an enduring commitment to volunteering and community engagement. CAS is very much in line with the school’s Quaker values. The development of skills for lifelong learning via the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) module and the Extended Essay element are exceptional. The ability to think critically, to research thoroughly and to produce a structured and sustained piece of writing are attributes that universities and employers alike value immensely. 97% of university admissions staff rate the IBDP as the best preparation for university.

Words from the Head

Alex Wallace, Deputy Head (Academic), reflected, “It’s interesting that both nationally and globally the IB results are down this year. I think the fact that ours are only  1.5 points lower than last year rather than the 1.68 point reduction in the UK average or 1.74 global average drop is a testament to the commitment of our students. It also speaks to the dedication of their teachers working so well together with the students.”

Just under 5,000 of the IBDP’s 2023 cohort of around 180,000 students are based in the UK. These IB students are keen to secure a globally relevant qualification. Many schools only recommend the IB Diploma for their top academic students. However, Leighton Park’s student-centred approach sees the value of the programme for any student who enjoys course work and interdisciplinary projects. The school has an international outlook and doesn’t want to narrow their subjects down at this stage of their education.

The School is offering Year 10 and 11 students the opportunity to learn more about the IBDP. They will talk about it at the Sixth Form Open Evening on Tuesday 10^th October from 6.30pm. Alternatively, you can watch the Leighton Park IB video on YouTube at https://bit.ly/IBVideo2021.

Images:

Helen Taylor, Head of Sixth Form, with IB student, Giulia.

Sixth Formers on the Park with Head, Matthew Judd.

IB Students at the Sixth Form Leavers’ Dinner.

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