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Fun Run Fundraising
A huge well done to all the students and staff who ran the Blackpool Beaverbrooks 10K last Sunday.
Olympic Spirit at Blackpool Sixth Form
The college will host its first community sports day with over 150 young people taking part, including pupils from at least...
Art students break “Out of the Frame” for exhibition in Thornton
Blackpool Sixth Form art and design students will be breaking out of the Frame for their exhibition at the Kiln House Gallery...
England Rugby coach speaks to Blackpool Sixth Form sport students
Brian Ashton, the head coach of the England rugby team that reached the final of the 2007 Rugby World Cup, delivered a...
Rugby Academy Boss prepares for Paralympic role
Paul Moran who heads up the Blackpool Sixth Form Rugby Academy has had a early insight into the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic...Announcements
Battle of the Bands
29th May 7.00pm
Performing Arts Musical Theatre Showcase
31st May 7.30pm
Pre-Sixth Form Conference
2nd July 8.45am - 4.00pm
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Blackpool Sixth is an Authorised World School to deliver the International Baccalaureate Diploma to students. IB World schools share a common philosophy - a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that Blackpool Sixth believes is important for our students. The IB Diploma is now offered in 119 countries and engages over half a million students.
The International Baccalaureate Diploma is a broad course which offers you the opportunity to study six different subjects at advanced level. You also do a university-style project and develop wider skills. The IB keeps your options open and is very well regarded by universities.
What is the IB Diploma?
The IB diploma is a comprehensive and challenging pre-university course that demands the best from students. The sophisticated two-year curriculum encourages students to be outward looking and develops skills of independent thinking, research and self-reliance.
You will study six subjects for two years. Three subjects will be taken at higher level and three subjects at standard level (although four may be taken at higher level if required). To choose your subjects, look at the hexagon below and choose one subject from each group. All students will take the core areas.
- If you do not want to take a foreign language already studied at school, you can start a new one. This is called Ab Initio and counts as a standard level subject
- If you have passed Mathematics GCSE but do not want to continue to study it at an advanced level, you can take Maths Studies, which is just above GCSE Level. This also counts as a standard level subject
- You may choose to take an extra subject from either groups 2, 3 or 4 instead of choosing a group 6 subject
Specific requirements
Students will need at least 5 GCSEs at grade B in a breadth of subjects including B in English and Mathematics.
What will I study?
Core Subjects
The breadth of the IB diploma is not only down to the six subjects offered but also due to the three core areas of the curriculum. These are Theory of Knowledge, Creativity, Action Service and the Extended Essay.
Theory of Knowledge
Students achieve a mature understanding of the nature of knowledge. TOK compares the different ways of ‘knowing’ - perception, language, emotion and reasoning - and reflects on the nature and validity of knowledge.
The course is assessed by an essay and a short presentation on a subject of your choice.
Extended Essay
The extended essay is a chance to develop important research skills on an area of your choosing from one of your subject areas. The essay of about 4000 words will show students ability to convey a clear argument as well as show your findings and analysis. University students comment on the extended essay as being a crucial part of the studies to prepare for undergraduate work.
Creativity, Action, Service (CAS)
CAS is central to the IB diploma and provides the extra curriculum aspect to the course. Creativity can include involvement in art, performing arts or even web design. Action can be traditional sports or outdoor pursuits whereas Service projects might include voluntary work, community action or work placement. In this way the wide ranging CAS element of the IB experience develops the whole person. Students must complete 150 hours of activities over the two years to achieve the diploma.
For more information on the International Baccalaureate subjects click the links below:
- Biology Standard and Higher Level
- Chemistry Standard and Higher Level
- English Standard and Higher Level
- Visual Arts Standard and Higher Level
- History Standard and Higher Level
- Spanish Ab Initio
- French B Standard and Higher Level
- Geography
- Mathematics (Standard, Higher Level and IB Mathematical Studies Standard Level)
- Psychology Standard and Higher Level
Assessment
- All courses on the diploma contain coursework that is initially assessed. The coursework elements range from upwards of 10%, depending on the subject
- Exams on the IB diploma are taken only once in the May of the second year of the study
All six subjects are awarded a score of 1 to 7 (7 being the best score). This gives a total of 42 points. In addition, 3 points are awarded for the TOK and extended essay element. This gives a total score on the IB diploma of 45. To pass the diploma, students must achieve a score of 24 points.
Where does it lead
Universities view of the International Baccalaureate
“Durham University recognises the International Baccalaureate (IB). Our academic departments have noted the excellent preparation that the Diploma provides for university study, and we value the depth and breadth of study that it offers.” - University of Durham
“The IB diploma is looked at very favourably by our admissions tutors because of the research skills, independent learning and breadth of knowledge students gain.” - Liverpool University
‘Universities have always held the IB in high regard and recognise the academic rigour, breadth and depth of this qualification. Indeed, the skills obtained by students undertaking the International Baccalaureate are widely considered excellent preparation for the transition into higher education; and this view is certainly endorsed here at Leeds.’ - University of Leeds
After the IB Diploma?
Aside from the formal awarding of the IB Diploma, many students see the programme as preparing them for university and later life by asking challenging questions, developing the desire to learn, recognition of their own identity and culture, developing the ability to communicate well and understand people from other countries and cultures.
We know that all UK universities welcome IB Diploma graduates. They are good learners who can work independently and have intellectual curiosity. IB students have also developed personal maturity, and have abroad-based knowledge related to a global context. Most universities also recognise individual IB Subject Certificates.
The transferable skills, broad curriculum and global perspectives of the IB Diploma equip its students well to compete in the
employment market. Many IB students choose to travel before, during, or after their university years.
Owing to the international dimension of their sixth form education, IB university students are usually able to spend one year of their degree course working or studying abroad. We know that most IB Diploma graduates go on to successful and rewarding
careers in a wide range of fields.
More Information
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Download the IB Diploma Booklet for more information.This includes specific information on all IB subjects available at Blackpool Sixth.You can also contact our IB Coordinator, Phil Benson, on (01253) 394911 or pbenson@blackpoolsixth.ac.uk |
The video below is the national IB Diploma promotional video.
Click here to visit the national International Baccalaureate website
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