International Baccalaureate

A challenging and globally recognisedacademic programmeFelsted is one of a growing number of schools in the UK to embrace the International Baccalaureate Diploma as an alternative to A-Levels and our experience in the teaching of this demanding and stimulating programme means that today’s Felsted students are well placed to make the most of all the IB has to offer.

Recognised all over the world, the IB is a direct route into British and international universities, and offers excellent preparation for tertiary education. The intellectual rigour of the IB Programme, coupled with the breadth of co-curricular opportunities and Felsted’s vibrant international ethos prepares students to take a full part in the world beyond School, wherever their IB qualification may take them.

The International Baccalaureate Organisation aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. The IB encourages students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners, through challenge and rigorous assessment.

Ages 4-7 (Pre Prep)

Ages 4-7 Ages 4-13 Ages 13-18

Sixth

Ages 16-18

Ages 11-13

Ages 8-10 (Prep) Ages 11-12 (Prep Transition)

Ages 13-16 (Senior) Ages 16-18 (Sixth Form)

Pre Prep

Ages 11-13

Pre Prep Transition

SixthSenior

Ages 8-10

The IB Diploma for Years 12 and 13

Top 25 IB School

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IB Diploma average score“ Elite but not exclusive, the IB Diploma affords a tremendously exciting opportunity for young people to challenge themselves. It is a privilege to offer a course which educates the whole person, and prepares students to be the global citizens of the future.”

Martin Homer, Director of the IB

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Why study the IB?The IB at Felsted prepares students for:

University – The intellectual breadth and moral challenge of the Diploma gives IB students a vital edge when it comes to university applications and future career success. It is a well-respected qualification that is recognised world-wide.

Life – The holistic approach to the IB encourages students to be tolerant and open-minded, compassionate and principled. It promotes risk-taking and reflection, so students are confident and creative and have the integrity and skills to succeed in a global economy.

Living – Studying both literature and at least one foreign language, Felsted IB students are excellent communicators – articulate on paper as well as in person. The emphasis on Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) encourages students to appreciate the need for a healthy balance of physical and mental activity that will stand them in good stead for adult life.

Learning – Intellectually curious, IB students are almost twice as likely as their A-Level and equivalent peers to pursue further full-time study*. The 4,000-word Extended Essay and the Theory of Knowledge element promote independent and critical thinking.

Leadership – IB students are more likely to be employed in graduate-level jobs, and command higher salaries than their non-IB peers*. Literate and numerate, linguistically and scientifically able, IB students are tremendously versatile and can demonstrate talents that are highly sought-after in today’s world.

IB ExaminationsExaminations are held in May of the Upper Sixth year. Unlike the A-Level system, there are no external examinations in the first year, giving students more time to study free from exam pressure. Furthermore, the publication of results early in July gives IB students a head start when pursuing their university placesor future careers.

www.felsted.org

“ 19% of IB entrants achieved a first-class honours degree, compared with 14.5% with A-Level or equivalent in 2011.

IB students are almost twice as likely to study medicine and dentistry (5.1% compared with 2.9% of A-Level).*”

Fantastic facilities

Lifelong friendships

Many musical opportunities

Dedicated Sixth Form Centre

Learning outside the classroom

*Research published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency in 2011

Choice of activities

“ I was hugely impressed with Felsted’s young cohort of IB English students. Their ability to quickly analyse a text and assess its merits, while also grasping the nuances of language use, was first rate. ”

Oliver Balch OF, Journalist and Author of “India Rising” and “Viva South America”

FACT FILE: IB Learner Profile

The aim of the IB Diploma Programme is to

develop internationally minded learners who strive to be:

Ⅴ Inquirers

Ⅴ Knowledgeable

Ⅴ Thinkers

Ⅴ Communicators

Ⅴ Principled

Ⅴ Caring

Ⅴ Open-minded

Ⅴ Risk-takers

Ⅴ Balanced

Ⅴ Reflective

®

Learning outside the classroom

Dedicated facilities

FACT FILE: Tailored Specialisms The Diploma offers specialism as well as breadth – the range of combinations is staggering.EXAMPLES Potential Lawyer Potential Doctor All Rounder Subject 1 English HL English SL English SL

Subject 2 German HL Spanish SL French HLSubject 3 History HL Economics SL Geography HLSubject 4 Chemistry SL Biology HL Sports Science SLSubject 5 Maths Studies SL Maths HL Maths SLSubject 6 Music SL Chemistry HL Art HL

The Felsted IB CurriculumIB students study six subjects in total, of which at least two must be languages, one maths and one science. Beyond that, students may choose from any of the other subjects we offer. This gives a broad knowledge base and the ability to choose an almost infinite number of career paths. Felsted aims to tailor timetables as much as possible around the needs of the individual.

Normally, three subjects will be studied at Higher Level, the rest at Standard Level. In each of these subjects, the aim is to score up to a maximum of seven diploma points.

Near the centre of the diagram (above) are the three elements which make the IB Diploma so special: CAS (Creativity, Action, Service), ToK (Theory of Knowledge) and the Extended Essay. The last two of these combine to earn up to three ‘extra’ points, so that the overall total is out of a maximum of 45 points.

Theory of Knowledge (ToK) – this is at the heart of the Diploma Programme. It invites students to draw comparisons between their different subjects, reflecting critically on diverse ways of acquiring knowledge, while also considering the nature of knowledge in their own culture, in others’ cultures and in the wider world.

The Extended Essay – is an independent, self-directed piece of research, culminating in a 4,000-word paper. Emphasis is placed on the research process, on personal engagement in the exploration of the topic, and on communication of ideas and development of argument. Students, teachers and universities place great importance on this task because it provides practical preparation for the kinds of research required at undergraduate level.

Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) – this element ensures the education of the whole person comes alive in a practical, demonstrable way when students are involved in the community, whether at local, national or international level. The aim of CAS is to encourage students to engage in something other than academic study and to make a contribution to the community. CAS may involve activities students are already doing, such as playing a musical instrument, taking part in sport, acting in a play or being on the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. Felsted offers outstanding opportunities for students to complete the CAS element of the programme, including exchanges overseas.

FACT FILE: Diploma Curriculum SubjectsGroup 1 Language and Literature: English, German, Italian, Self Study Language* Spanish**, French** Group 2 Language Acquisition: Language B: English (HL only), German, French, Spanish, Latin (all at HL and SL) Ab Initio: (SL only) Spanish, Italian**, Mandarin**Group 3 Individuals and Societies: Economics, Geography, History, Philosophy, PsychologyGroup 4 Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Design Technology, Sports Exercise and Health Science*Group 5 Mathematics: Maths, Maths Studies*Group 6 The Arts: Music, Visual ArtsSome other subjects, such as Business Management, may be available to study on-line. * Standard level only **Minimum numbers required

Felsted, Essex, CM6 3LL01371 822605

ado@felsted.org www.felsted.org

What the students say...

What the experts say...“ University admissions tutors are now increasingly familiar with IB applicants. While typical A-Level offers have been rising in recent years, IB offers have generally stayed the same, reflecting the consistency in the standards of the IB. We are delighted that our IB students have won places at top universities.”Nicholas Spring, Head of Careers, Felsted and Co-chair UCAS Advisory Committee

“ There is a stark contrast between students prepared for university through the IB and A-Levels, with the former having a significant advantage.”Dr G Duranton, Admission Tutor, London School of Economics

“ Skills in project work, language and essay writing are a real bonus. I would lean over backwards to admit IB students.”Dr F Loebinger, Admission Tutor, University of Manchester

“ As an employer, I am always looking for those applicants who can manage their time and who have coped successfully with a wide range of studies and extra-curricular activities.”

Richard Higgins, Deputy Chairman, Agnew Higgins Pickering & Co Ltd, Lloyd’s Brokers, OF and former parent

Top 25 IB School

Adventurous pursuitsAwareness of global issues

Opportunities to performDeveloping

individual interests

Studying the IB at Felsted gave

me the chance to become part of a

truly international community and I made

friends from all over the world. I had plenty

of opportunities to learn new skills and

take part in activities such as organising

international conferences. The International

Baccalaureate provided me with a broad

knowledge of a number of subjects, but at

the same time it enabled me to

focus on what I really enjoyed!

“”

The IB allowed me to get to

the university of my choice without

compromising my options of further

study, as I was unsure of which

direction to go in at the end of

Year 11.

“ ”Danielle Standish,English IB Student

What the IB Diploma offers is unique.1. The broad subject choices allow you to do almost any course at university. I had no idea what to study at higher level so the IB allowed me to keep my options open.2. The different activities Felsted offers you to complete the CAS element was so helpful when applying to university or work experience. 3. Coming from Germany it was a relief to experience how international the IB is. It does not matter if your English is not perfect, you will always get the help you need.

Overall, the IB has been a challengingjourney and I am so glad I had the chance to experience it. ”

“LuiseWurlitzer,German IB Student

Filip Bigos,Slovakian IB Student

The IB definitely helped me get into Oxford. Oxbridge is all about constantly expanding your knowledge, and drawing links between seemingly opposing areas of knowledge and understanding those relationships. The IB meets that perfectly in having many subjects to choose from, and allowing you to follow your own interests with the Extended Essay and Internal Assessments.

“”

Freddie Bouttell,English IB Student

100% ‘Excellent’ Independent Schools Inspectorate 2013