23rd September 2014 Dear Parents Report on our IB Diploma and Career Certificate results, May 2014 IB Diploma We have received our International Baccalaureate Diploma results for the students who took their exams in May 2014. All in all, our students performed well and they and their teachers must be congratulated on their hard work and successes. Of course, the IB awards its results on a 1 to 7 scale, with a 4 a pass mark and a 7 the top result. Students take 6 subjects and must score 24 points to be awarded the Diploma; they also need to satisfy the demands of the Core: the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge and CAS (Community, Action and Service). Under certain conditions, a student may also be awarded the Bilingual Diploma. Our results for May 2014 were as follows: Number of GCS candidates registered for the full Diploma: 15 Number of GCS candidates who achieved the Diploma: 13 (86.7%) Average points obtained by our candidates: 25.7 Number of subject examinations entered: 90 Average subject points grade obtained by our candidates: 4.3 Highest Diploma points awarded to a candidate: 32 Two students did not achieve the 24 points required to be awarded the Diploma: this means that they were awarded Course Certificates. Whilst the Diploma is required for entry to most universities, Certificates are an acceptable entry qualification for many universities and other tertiary institutions. Two candidates achieved a Bilingual Award. One took two Language As (Dutch Self-Taught and English) and the other, taking Arabic A, chose to write his Extended Essay in English. The IB regards this accomplishment highly – as these students have discovered. One student who achieved the Diploma is re-taking one subject in order to qualify for a prestigious university in South Africa. The International Baccalaureate Diploma programme is rigorous and demanding and, as one talks to candidates from our school and internationally, demands a high level of self-discipline and commitment. As a staff we have reviewed our students’ performance in the 2014 examinations, have analysed IB Examiners’ Reports and have reflected on how we present the programme so that we can better support, encourage and inspire our students in 2015 and beyond. Our results in May 2014 represent a gratifying step forward when compared to 2012 and 2013 (where the

Diploma pass rate was, respectively, 36% and 66.7%) but we will not become complacent.

IBCC (International Baccalaureate Career-related Certificate) The IBCC course is now in its 5th year at GCS and we are proud to be able to offer this different type of curriculum to our students. As our students move from Grade 10 into the senior year, it is vital that we offer different pathways through these important years and onto University, tertiary college or employment. The IBCC is aimed specifically at students who are focused in developing key practical life skills which they are then able to take through higher education and into the workplace. The course has 3 main components; IB Diploma subjects, where students must study a minimum of 2 at standard level, the IBCC ‘Core’ which is made up of specific subjects such as Approaches to Learning, Language Development, Community & Service & work placement, plus students are required to complete an externally validated and certificated course. At GCS, we currently offer a British qualification accredited by BTEC (British Technical Education Council) in the subject of Business Studies. We feel that our students benefit extensively by studying a general business course which will help in any employment they seek to do after school or University. Our results for May 2014 were as follows: Number of GCS candidates registered for the full IBCC: 15 Number of GCS candidates who achieved the IBCC: 13 (86.7%) Number of subject examinations entered: 26 Average subject points grade obtained by our candidates: 3.2 Number of GCS students being awarded the full IBCC: 9 (60%) Number of GCS students being awarded the full CRC: 15 (100%) Number of GCS students gaining entry to University: 13 (86%) In 2012, the KHDA granted full approval and equivalency to the IBCC course and thus it is recognised by UCAS in the UK for University entry and also in many countries around the world. With over 60 schools now offering the IBCC, a number which is increasing annually, students are able to complete an internationally recognised qualification. In the academic year of 2013/14 at GCS, we had 15 students graduating. 13 of these students gained places at Universities such as Arts Academy of San Francisco, Carleton University (Canada), Hertfordshire University (UK), Leeds Metropolitan University (UK), Middlesex University (Dubai), Greenwich University (UK), Westminster University (UK), Emirates University (Dubai), with 2 students taking up employment in their home countries of Canada and South Africa.

Throughout the course, students prepare for possible career paths and as part of this process, they complete 3 work placements blocks in a business or industry of their choice. Recently our students have been placed in areas such as technology retail, pre-school teaching, construction, engineering, manufacturing, event management, specialist oil drilling equipment, electrical wholesales, dance teaching and sport & leisure. This experience is invaluable as students gain both key skills and self-confidence. The IBCC course continues to attract students to a different type of senior school education. One which is practical and career related and tailored to their own specific needs. From the early beginnings in 2011 when GCS was one of 5 chosen pilot schools world-wide to develop the IBCC, we have now graduated 19 students. With GCS now being one of only 5 schools in the world to offer all 4 IB programmes, this is indeed an exciting time for GCS and our students. The IBCC offers an exciting transition from the Middle Years Programme into the critical senior years and our students are taking full advantage of this unique opportunity. Neil Hooper, IBDP co-ordinator Michael Worth, IBCC co-ordinator Andrew Wood, Principal