IB & A Level 2018 - 2020
IB Diploma A Levels Two-year programme Two-year programme Internal exams in June of L6th Internal exams in June of L6th Terminal external exams in May of U6th Terminal external exams in June of U6th Has a coursework component in all Has a coursework component in some subjects subjects U6th Results published 6 th July U6th Results published mid-August
IB Diploma • Too soon to drop key subjects – depth + breadth • Holistic education: aims “to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect” • Internationally recognised: hugely beneficial in our growing international economy (post Brexit!). An educational ‘currency’ that has held its value. • Unaffected by government intervention – entirely autonomous body • Highly regarded by all universities and an established qualification at Bedford School
A Level • Allow boys to focus and specialise their studies • Designed to develop skills for use throughout university and careers • Government reforms started in September 2015 mean that the way A Level works has changed • All subjects will follow a two-year linear course without externally assessed exams in the Lower Sixth
Content of the IB Diploma • 6 subjects – 3 Higher Level (HL) + – 3 Standard Level (SL) • Theory of Knowledge (ToK) • An Extended Essay (EE) • Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)
The IB Diploma Structure Group 1 English • HL subjects 6 lessons Group 3 per week Individuals & Group 2 Societies Second Language • SL subjects 4 lessons per week Group 4 Group 5 Sciences Mathematics Group 6 The Arts
IB Subjects for 2017-19 • Group 1 - English: Literature or Language & Literature • Group 2 - French, German, Spanish, Mandarin, Latin • Group 3 - History, Geography, Economics, Philosophy • Group 4 - Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Design & Technology • Group 5 - Maths: HL, SL or Studies • Group 6 - Visual Arts, Theatre, Music OR a second choice from Groups 2, 3 or 4
The Diploma Points System • 6 subjects carry a maximum of 7 points each • 3 additional points for ToK and EE • Maximum score 45 (consistently achieved by around 0.5% of students worldwide – no grade inflation) • Two students achieved 45 points at Bedford School last year • International average is 30.1 • Last year Bedford School students averaged 37.4
Extended Essay (EE) • Topic chosen by student • Supervised by a teacher • 4,000 word limit • Promotes independent research and scholarship • Universities like it – fantastic for interviews
Theory of Knowledge (ToK) • Critical reflection on the nature of knowledge and the ways in which we gain it • Examines grounds for ‘knowledge claims’ – ‘How do you know?’ • Develops an ability to analyse evidence, support arguments & detect bias • Oral presentation & essay • Again, superb interview training
CAS – Creativity, Activity, Service For Creativity and Activity: • You do most of this anyway • Inside or outside school • Everything counts • Games • Choir • Musical instrument • Drama productions • House competitions • Community service • D of E
CAS – Creativity, Activity, Service Service involves spending Wednesday afternoons off timetable helping in the community. Examples include: • Helping at North Wing hospital • Volunteering at Headway Bedford, helping with rehabilitation sessions for people who have suffered brain injuries • Helping with ‘riding for the disabled’ sessions • Conservation at Ickwell • Being a classroom assistant at a local school • Volunteering in local charity shops • Coaching in Prep School games sessions.
Group 1: Language A English A • English Literature • Or Language & Literature
Group 2: Second Language • French, German, Latin, Spanish or Mandarin. • Or, if you’d prefer to try a new language, we offer Spanish or Mandarin ab initio • Enables students to use the language in a range of contexts • Develops written and spoken communication
Group 3: Individuals & Societies • History, Geography, Economics, Philosophy • Develops an ability to analyse complex questions and evaluate interpretations of phenomena and events • Promotes essay-writing skills
Group 4: Experimental Sciences • Physics, Chemistry, Biology or D&T • Develops both theoretical and practical skills • Promotes collaborative learning in science • Group 4 project
Group 5: Mathematics • Maths Higher Level • Maths Standard Level • Maths Studies • Maths Studies ‘in a year’
Group 6: The Arts • Visual Arts, Music or Theatre • Emphasis on practical production by students and exploring creative work Alternatively, you can pick another option from groups 3, 4 or 5
Some myths surrounding the IB • Medicine • Universities • Elitism • Depth • Work load
Some UCAS offers from recent years Chemistry Oxford 39 points • Medicine UCL 39 points • Theology and Religion Oxford 38 points • Law Durham & LSE both 38 points • English UCL & Durham both 38 points • History Bristol 38 points • Economics Bath 36 points • Business & Management Durham 36 points • Aerospace Engineering Bath 36 points • Medicine KCL 35 points • Biological Sciences Exeter 35 points • Business Management Birmingham 32 points • & Marketing Psychology Nottingham 30 points •
A Level Lower Sixth Upper Sixth • 4 subjects • 4 or 3 subjects • Removal of ‘old style’ AS • Final A Level exams sat at Exams in L6th end of U6th • End of L6th exams will • Results come out in August now be internally assessed of U6th year examinations • These L6th exams will not count towards A Level marks overall but…
What do you do in A Level? • L6th – 4 subjects • Choice is fairly free • U6th – 3 or 4 subjects • GCSE grade requirement for entry into the L6th
Which A Level subjects? Subject choice examples: • 3 sciences and a modern language • 3 languages and a science • 3 sciences and maths • 3 arts subjects and a language or maths • A language, humanity, science and an arts subject
A Level Subjects for 2018-20 • English, French, German, Spanish and Latin • History, Geography, Economics, Business, Classical Civilisation, Government & Politics and RS • Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Design & Technology • Mathematics, Further Maths and Computer Science • Drama & Theatre Studies, Art & Design, Music, Music Technology Subjects in green are 6 th Form A Level subjects not available at GCSE
A Level Subject Choices 2018/20 - DRAFT BLOCK A BLOCK B BLOCK C BLOCK D Mathematics and Further Mathematics FM Biology BI Chemistry CH Geography GG Biology BI Business BS German GM History HI Drama DR Chemistry CH English EN Mathematics MA Economics EC Economics EC Geography GG Government & MusicTechnology MT Latin LA English EN PO Politics French FR History HI Physics PH Music MU Art AR Mathematics MA Classical Civilisation CL Physics PH Religious Studies RE Religious Studies RE Computer Science CP Spanish SP Design & Technology DT
Bedford School Independent Project (BSIP) • Topic chosen by student • Supervised by a teacher • Promotes independent research and scholarship • Universities like it – fantastic for interviews • Option of converting to EPQ (External Project Qualification)
A Level Upper Sixth Lecture Series • Weekly lecture in U6th for A level boys • Delivered by visiting speakers • A variety of topics and interests
How much work? IB Diploma A Levels HL - 6 periods per week 8 periods per week = 32 periods SL - 4 periods per week (9 periods per week in U6th) 2 lessons of ToK per week 1 Study Skills/Independent Project period per week (with option of extending to an EPQ) T otal = 32 periods T otal = 33 periods Prep = 16h per week Prep 4h per subject = 16h per week
Course and Subject Choices Course Guides issued at end of this presentation Details also on the School website • IB Diploma course guide • IB FAQs • A Level course guide • All curriculum information
Both A Level and IB... • ‘After Bedford’ careers and university advice • Careers guidance interviews • Careers Fair • Careers Advisor • Activities • D of E, CCF etc.
Are you separated in the 6 th Form? • In lessons you are • Everything else you do together • Tutor groups • Sport • Activities • Houses • Drama • Music
Both A Level and IB… • Require students to be well- organised and self-motivated • Allow for either specialisation or a broad choice of subjects • Are accepted by universities worldwide and in the UK • Universities admire the rigour of the IB Diploma
What now? • Read the Course Guides carefully • Visit the website www.bedfordschool.org.uk • Talk with your parents • Talk to the current L6 and U6 • Keep all your options open • Tutors and teachers are all available to give guidance and answer questions • Get subject specific advice today from Heads of Department in Great Hall after this presentation • Make sure your 6 th Form subject choices support your university/career aspirations
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