A world class education

The International Baccalaureate Diploma

Available from September 2011
New for September 2011 – International Baccalaureate Diploma

Arthur Terry School is a candidate school for the IB Diploma Programme. We are pur-
suing authorization as an IB World School. These are schools that share a common
philosophy—a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education
that we believe is important for our students.

The International Baccalaureate programme at Arthur Terry School will ensure that
we have a curriculum provision that stretches the capabilities of all students. It is a
two-year course which is an alternative to our A level courses to give students as
broad a choice as possible post 16. It leads to a qualification that is widely recog-
nised by the world’s leading universities and it challenges students to become well
rounded individuals ready for the wider world.

The 18 Diploma programme fully supports the aims of our Sixth Form to challenge
and extend our students by developing responsibility, initiative, open-mindedness
self reliance and a passion for discovery and learning.

The 18 Diploma programme is a two year course of studies that suits well-motivated
students with a breadth of interests. There is an emphasis on the development of re-
search and critical reflection, and on the importance of individual commitment to
creativity, extra-curricular activities and service to others.

Welcome to the lB

Studying the lB at Arthur Terry should offer two excellent years of rewarding study
and act both as a fulfilling and enjoyable conclusion to your schooling and the
gateway to a successful career at university and beyond.
Following the course will require new techniques of study and will necessitate a
change in your work habits. You will have to learn to take greater responsibility for
planning your work and to show initiative. You will be reading more, working system-
atically outside formal lessons, learning to research, and developing an enquiring
approach.
You will not achieve success without significant hard work if you are to fulfil your po-
tential and develop the skills, habits and approaches which will serve you well in the
Sixth Form and in the future. If you are ambitious to win a place at a good university
then you will be expected to demonstrate a hunger for academic success and the
willingness to make the most of the many opportunities available to you for intellec-
tual and cultural exploration both within your personal curriculum and beyond it.
The coming two years should be demanding, rewarding and the most enjoyable of
your school career.

We look forward to you achieving your full potential with us and aiming high for your
future.

Mr Bowater, IB Coordinator
About The International Baccalaureate Diploma

The International Baccalaureate is an internationally recognised qualification of

high academic standing. it was originally launched in 1968 and now involves
some 80,000 students studying in 125 countries.

The lB Diploma is recognised by all UK universities and is highly regarded interna-

tionally. The lB is also highly attractive to employers, because of the variety of skills
and attitudes which are fostered during the course of the programme.

A range of exciting and challenging courses will be offered that will stretch the
most able pupil, but which are well within the grasp of any student at Arthur Terry
if they are prepared to commit to their studies.

The philosophy of the lB emphasises high academic standards. This mirrors the
School’s ambition to develop fully the potential of all its pupils, and to instil a love
of learning for its own sake.

Academic excellence is coupled with an emphasis on personal development.

The lB supports the philosophy of a rounded education and the development of
the whole person, rather than a narrow focus on the academic alone. To achieve
this, students are encouraged to reflect upon both their academic subjects and
their personal development. Students are required to demonstrate initiative, inde-
pendence and organisation.
Frequently Asked Questions

How many subjects do you hove to choose?

Three subjects at Higher level (HL) and three subjects at Standard Level (SL). One
subject must be taken from each of Groups 1-5, with either a second subject from
Groups 2-4 or one from Group 6.

How is the course examined?

AU subjects are examined at the end of Year 13 in May. All subjects have a
coursework element.

How are the examinations graded?

Each subject, at both Higher and Standard Level, is awarded a mark out of seven points
with four points representing a pass.

Are there opportunities for extension?

In addition to the six subjects studied, all pupils undertake a compulsory core which in-
cludes the Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay. These subjects carry a com-
bined total of three points,

What kind of performance is required to satisfy the entrance requirements for a

competitive course at one of the better universities?

Offers for lB students will generally begin at 32 points (although there are many excep-
tions to this as illustrated later in this booklet), rising to reflect the more competitive nature
of the courses- Oxbridge offers will tend to be 39 or 40 points, often with stipulations of a
particular performance at Higher level (such as a 7 in the course which is to be studied.)

How are the examinotions certificated?

A Diploma is awarded for the programme as a whole, specifying the points awarded for
each part of the programme The maximum points score is 45 and at least 24 points are
required to be awarded a Diploma Scores beneath 24 points will receive a Certificate

Will there be opportunities for extra-curricular activities?

The Sixth Form prides itself on the levels of participation in extra-curricular activities. How-
ever, in the lB, because the Creativity, Action and Service component (CAS) is an inte-
gral part of the Diploma, students will gain credit for their involvement in areas outside
the classroom.
The Extended Essay

The extended essay is an in-depth study (4000 words) of a focused topic chosen
from the list of approved Diploma Program subjects—normally one of the student’s
six chosen subjects for the lB diploma. It Is intended to promote high-level research
and writing skills, intellectual discovery and creativity. It provides students with an
opportunity to engage in personal research in a topic of their own choice, under
the guidance of a supervisor (a teacher In the school). This leads to a major piece of
formally presented, structured writing, in which ideas and findings are
communicated in a reasoned and coherent manner, appropriate to the subject
chosen, It is recommended that completion of the written essay is followed by a
short, concluding interview, or viva voce, with the supervisor.
The extended essay is assessed against common criteria, interpreted in ways appro-
priate to each subject.
The extended essay is:

compulsory for all Diploma Programme students

externally assessed and, in combination with the grade for theory of knowl-
edge, contributes up to three points to the total score for the lB diploma

a piece of independent research/investigation on a topic chosen by the stu-

dent in cooperation with a supervisor in the school

chosen from the list of approved Diploma Programme subjects, published in by

the IB

presented as a formal piece of scholarship containing no more than 4,000

words

the result of approximately 40 hours of work by the student

concluded with a short interview, or viva voce, with the supervising teacher
(recommended).

In the Diploma Programme, the extended essay is the prime example of a piece of
work where the student has the opportunity to show knowledge, understanding and
enthusiasm about a topic of his or her choice.
In those subjects where interviews are undertaken prior to acceptance for a place
at university, the extended essay has often proved to be a valuable stimulus for dis-
cussion.
A final grade in the Extended Essay is necessary to receive the lB Diploma. Students
receive a grade from A to E, A to D are pass marks.
Group 4 Science Project

During the summer term of Year 12 students will undertake the Group 4 Science pro-
ject. This exercise is a collaborative experience where concepts and perceptions
from across the Group 4 disciplines are shared. The intention is that students analyse
a topic or problem of the groups choosing that can be investigated in any of the
science disciplines. Students will spend 3 days in the summer term investigating their
topic in a laboratory and present their findings to the group.

The Group 4 project is the only place where Personal Skills are assessed. All other
practical skills are assessed by coursework throughout the 2 years.
CAS

Creativity, Action, and Service or CAS is the component of the lB that aims to pro-
vide a counterbalance to the rigour of the academic programme. Students are
expected to spend a minimum of 150 hours during the two-year programme par-
ticipating in different activities that have a function of developing them creatively,
physically, and socially. As the total required amount of hours is 150, the hours
should be equally divided between the three areas.

All projects are self designed to challenge the individual and require some form of
proof and the signature of a designated activity coordinator which is presented
after completion of the activity. Students must also personally keep track of their
total hours in a time log . This allows for students to monitor their required hours and
to present a coherent documentation of their entire CAS experience.

The learning outcomes and the quality of the CAS activity are of utmost impor-
tance. It is important to remember that CAS is experiential learning followed by on-
going reflection. CAS is not formally assessed, but a failure to complete and report
the full 150 hours is a failing condition for the lB Diploma.

Creativity
• This is interpreted as imaginatively as possible to cover a wide range of arts and
other activities which include creative thinking by the individual student in design-
ing and carrying out activities.

Action
• Action can include participation in expeditions, dance, individual and team
sports and any physical training.

Service
• The service component is often the most transforming for the individual student it
has the potential to nurture and mould the global citizen. Service can take place
at the school, local, national and international levels.
TOK

Theory of Knowledge or TOK is one of the most interesting aspects of the lB

program, is an interdisciplinary course that challenges students to question the ac-
quisition and nature of knowledge in each of the six subject areas. The course brings
together these multiple disciplines through discussion and guest presentations. As a
result, students come to understand that there are no boundaries between subject
areas and that all knowledge is integrated.

This course also discusses how the student is able to know something. The student is
described as an actor of knowledge who attempts to find knowledge, where knowl-
edge, as defined by Plato, is “justified true belief”.

Areas also Covered include

• The four ways of knowing: sense perception, emotion, reason, and language
• The six areas of knowledge : mathematics, natural sciences, human sciences, his-
tory, the arts, and ethics.
• The nine reasons for justification of things one claims to know: logic, sensory per-
ception, revelation, faith, memory, consensus, authority, intuition, and self-
awareness
• The four supposed truth tests: coherence, correspondence, pragmatism, and con-
sensus

During the later parts of the course or at its completion, students give an internally
assessed oral presentation of about 10 minutes and write an essay of 1,200 to 1,600
words that will be assessed externally by the IBO. The presentation follows a topic of
the student’s choosing while the paper must discuss one of 10 pre-determined top-
ics that are changed each year. The presentation may be undertaken as a group.
In both the presentation and the essay, the student is required to provide ample dis-
cussion of the Knowledge Issues, Areas of Knowledge, and Ways of Knowing con-
cerning their topic as well as critical evaluation of their conclusions.

TOK is a required course for students in the lB Diploma Programme, and a good final
score in both TOK and the Extended Essay will contribute to up to three extra points
towards the diploma.

A final grade in TOK is necessary to receive the lB Diploma. Students receive a grade
from A to E, A to D are pass marks.
Thinking ahead University

If you choose the lB as your post 16 qualification you will have made a decision to aim high.
This should translate into your choices at Higher Education.

The Russell Group is an association of 20 major research intensive universities of the United
Kingdom. Formed in 1994 at a meeting convened in Russell Square, the Group is composed
of the Vice-Chancellors/Principals of the Universities listed below. These are the types of insti-
tiutions we will be expecting you to aspire to apply to and study at :
• University of Birmingham
• University of Bristol
• University of Cambridge
• Cardiff University
• University of Edinburgh
• University of Glasgow
• Imperial College London
• King’s College London
• University of Leeds
• University of LiverpoI
• London School of Economics & Political Science
• University of Manchester
• Newcastle University
• University of Nottingham
• Queens University Belfast
• University of Oxford
• University of Sheffield
• University of Southampton
• University College London
• University of Warwick

The Russell Group is an Association of leading UK research-intensive universities committed

to maintaining the highest standards of research, education and knowledge transfer. Russell
Group universities together are committed to the development of a UK Higher Education
sector in which:

Teaching of the highest quality takes place in institutions which are at the forefront in-
ternationally in their respective subjects, inspiring the brightest undergraduates and
training the best postgraduate and postdoctoral workers to create the next genera-
tion of Innovators and leaders.

Leading Universities have the capacity to maintain and develop through their strate-
gic planning processes1 research teams, research facilities and scholarly resources ca-
pable of matching the very best competition internationally.

Research resources in the UK are directed to wherever particular research work can
be best undertaken to the highest international standards.

The leading Universities act as the focus for best practice in the dissemination and ap-
plication of cutting-edge research, including the commercialisation of research ideas
and innovations.
Who will follow the IB course ?

The Diploma is demanding, so we will be recommending that students have

achieved at least an A or A* in their GCSE if they wish to take a subject at HL. Study-
ing a subject at SL requires a minimum of a grade B. Entry criteria are deliberately
set high; a minimum of 8 GCSEs at A* - B. Detailed information advice and guidance
will be given to students to ensure that they are suitable for the IB, and if their choice
of subjects will suit their future University course choices or career options.

Do Universities recognise the IB ?

The IB is welcomed by most universities. The combination of intellectual rigour, re-

search skills and personal organisation which the IB requires means that students are
prepared very well for university life.
The IBO (International Baccalaureate Organisation website lists universities that ex-
plicitly welcome applicants with the IB Diploma. It covers 74 countries and on the UK
page there are 96 universities listed. For further details see http://www.ibo.org/
dilpoma/recognition. This is not an exhaustive list as there are UK Universities which
endorse the IB Diploma on their own website but are not included on the IBO web-
site. You are free to browse any University websites and specific courses which usu-
ally tell you what subjects they expect you to study, at what level, Standard or
Higher, and what points are necessary.
UCAS rate the IB as follows :
24 out 45 = 260 UCAS points or 1 B and 2 Cs at A-Level.
45 out of 45 = 720 UCAS points or in excess of 5 A*s or 6 As at A-Level
Over 100 leading universities recognise the IB, Cambridge would expect an overall
score of between 38 and 42 points with 6,7,7 or 7,7,7 in the chosen Higher Level sub-
jects.

How do I apply ?

Complete the application form supplied on the IB Open Evening (date tba) . The
application should be sent to Mr Bowater at Arthur Terry School by the published
deadline before Christmas.
References will be requested for both internal and external students to ensure that
the entry requirements will be met in terms of academic performance, attitude, at-
tendance and organisational skills.
If you meet the requirements you will be invited to an interview after Christmas. The
purpose of the interview will be to discuss the suitability of the applicant for the IB in
relation to future careers aspirations and in terms of ability to successfully complete
the course.
At interview we would expect a firm decision on subjects chosen to enable time-
tabling to be completed for the IB.
Letters of acceptance will be sent home shortly after the interview.
For further details regarding the IB Diploma log on to http://www.ibo.org/diploma/
index.cfm