PH Teachers and educationalists! IB, or not to IB?
Discussion
Lots of info here but you've probably seen these:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/Q...
http://www.ibo.org/
My view is that the course content is intrinsically of value in comparison to A-levels but my experience alongside that suggests that marketing it to students and parents is key. The one (sixth-form) environment I know of directly that adopted it, initially alongside A-levels as there would have been open rebellion - among teachers students and parents - if a fait accompli had been presented, found that it was insufficiently popular to give viable numbers and it was scrapped fairly quickly in favour of 100% AS and A2 provision.
Other places probably swear by it...
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/Q...
http://www.ibo.org/
My view is that the course content is intrinsically of value in comparison to A-levels but my experience alongside that suggests that marketing it to students and parents is key. The one (sixth-form) environment I know of directly that adopted it, initially alongside A-levels as there would have been open rebellion - among teachers students and parents - if a fait accompli had been presented, found that it was insufficiently popular to give viable numbers and it was scrapped fairly quickly in favour of 100% AS and A2 provision.
Other places probably swear by it...
Jameson Jr. is looking to make the A-Level decision, and the local sixth form college (which he would attend anyway) is a World School, so the option is theoretically available. It seems to make a lot of sense inasmuchas A-Levels force either premature specialisation or an incomplete smorgasbord of subjects. Also, the IB seems better-regarded by University admissions departments, which is always a consideration.
I've read the bumf, but would like to hear "real world" stories and experiences. I'd also be interested to hear from PH employers whether they hold the IB in any better regard than A-Levels.
I've read the bumf, but would like to hear "real world" stories and experiences. I'd also be interested to hear from PH employers whether they hold the IB in any better regard than A-Levels.
I completed A levels (before the introduction of the AS components), and as I knew I wanted to specialise in languages, this was a great option for me. My brother, due to the fact that we were living in Germany at the time, completed IB as this was all the school offered.
Neither of us had problems applying to university, but the big advantage for my brother was that he didn't have a clear career path in mind, so IB allowed him to keep his options open. 6 years later and he had an HND (I think!) in business studies, and has just qualified as a nurse last month.
Does your son have a clear (and realistic!) career path in mind?
Neither of us had problems applying to university, but the big advantage for my brother was that he didn't have a clear career path in mind, so IB allowed him to keep his options open. 6 years later and he had an HND (I think!) in business studies, and has just qualified as a nurse last month.
Does your son have a clear (and realistic!) career path in mind?
CommanderJameson said:
I've read the bumf, but would like to hear "real world" stories and experiences.
Hmmm, with all due respect, I described exactly such a story! The IB is still not immeditely popular with many parents - I'd guess not 'immediately' with your good self either which is why this thread is here - and there are pros and cons with any Post-16 course. AS levels in the lower sixth (Y12) were designed to address the narrowness of traditional A-level pathways but I agree you may either see this as an unsuccessful bolt-on strategy or as a means of concocting or enabling bizarre subject combinations.CommanderJameson said:
I'd also be interested to hear from PH employers whether they hold the IB in any better regard than A-Levels.
I'd employ somebody with an IB background without hesitation if they were right for the job, but also somebody with AS/A2. As somebody involved at one time in a minor way with university admissions, prior to the recent popularity of IB, the major issue with any 'alternative' qualification related to comparability, these days a better understanding has emerged and it's less of a problem, in addition back in the bad old days my involvement was with marking entrance and scholarship examinations, and there would be no way of knowing much if anything about the background to the candidates.Does CJ Jr have a specific subject area strength, or career intentions? If so A-levels could do a good job. If they have broad interests and a range of strengths but with no particular focus, and want to maintain breadth, then the IB would do no harm.
Over to students past and present, HE people and other business folk.
I would think that IB would be presented to Jr as an alternative to A-Levels; no fait accompli required. The reason I've suggested it to him is the reason you folks have identified, which is that he doesn't actually have a clear career path identified. He's a bright lad but hasn't really got a handle on what he wants to do, yet. IB does sound like it has the potential to fit the bill, should he be so inclined.
I did the IB and have just started at medical school.
I had chosen my A levels (chemistry, biology, maths and physics), but when I went to start at my new school they tried very hard to get us to take the IB, so I thought 'why not'. I'm sure you know, but you take 3 'standard level' subjects and 3 'higher level' subjects. I took higher chemistry, biology and German, and standard IT, English and maths.
You 'have' to study:
- your primary language (which I assume will be English for your son)
- Maths at one of three levels (easy, medium or fiendish basically)
- a science (or two)
-a humanity (or two) (history, geography, IT, business studies etc)
-and two others, which can be another science, another humanity, or an art.
It is god damn hard work compared to A-levels (one of my friends did the IB, then stayed behind and did 3 A-levels in a year, she said the A-levels were easy in comparison). But if your son is reasonably academic and can do well in the IB, then I'd definitely encourage him to go for it.
I got a place at the Royal Veterinary College, London, to study medicine and before my inteview I could hear the panel discussing me, the fact that I did the IB was talked about quite a bit and one of them said something like 'we take it very highly these days, it makes a very well-rounded person.'
Anyway I changed career paths and decided to be a doctor, and a reasonable score in the IB got me into med school too.
If you're looking to get into a competitive course, nearly everybody will have 3 A's at least, so it is difficult to distinguish between the 'good' and the 'excellent'. Whereas the IB does that: I got 36 points (out of 45), which is rougly 3 and a half 'A's' at A-level. Someone with 45 points is regarded to have about 6 A's according to UCAS, so clearly it's more possible to set yourself apart by doing the IB.
Apart from the academic part of the IB, you also have to complete 40 hours of community service and write an 'extended essay ' - a 4000 word dissertation-style essay on the topic of your choice. The community placements were just awesome and really helped develop my personal skills. I helped organise parties for local elderly folk and help disabled children learn to horseride. Obviously you can do volunteering at any time outside of the IB, but it's not something I would have just thought of doing beforehand.
The 'extended essay' is also great preparation for university. My peers here who just did science A-levels panicked and struggled with writing it, whereas I took it in my stride and got a top mark. Just another small reason to pick the IB!
Hope this has helped a bit, please ask any questions you might have!
I had chosen my A levels (chemistry, biology, maths and physics), but when I went to start at my new school they tried very hard to get us to take the IB, so I thought 'why not'. I'm sure you know, but you take 3 'standard level' subjects and 3 'higher level' subjects. I took higher chemistry, biology and German, and standard IT, English and maths.
You 'have' to study:
- your primary language (which I assume will be English for your son)
- Maths at one of three levels (easy, medium or fiendish basically)
- a science (or two)
-a humanity (or two) (history, geography, IT, business studies etc)
-and two others, which can be another science, another humanity, or an art.
It is god damn hard work compared to A-levels (one of my friends did the IB, then stayed behind and did 3 A-levels in a year, she said the A-levels were easy in comparison). But if your son is reasonably academic and can do well in the IB, then I'd definitely encourage him to go for it.
I got a place at the Royal Veterinary College, London, to study medicine and before my inteview I could hear the panel discussing me, the fact that I did the IB was talked about quite a bit and one of them said something like 'we take it very highly these days, it makes a very well-rounded person.'
Anyway I changed career paths and decided to be a doctor, and a reasonable score in the IB got me into med school too.
If you're looking to get into a competitive course, nearly everybody will have 3 A's at least, so it is difficult to distinguish between the 'good' and the 'excellent'. Whereas the IB does that: I got 36 points (out of 45), which is rougly 3 and a half 'A's' at A-level. Someone with 45 points is regarded to have about 6 A's according to UCAS, so clearly it's more possible to set yourself apart by doing the IB.
Apart from the academic part of the IB, you also have to complete 40 hours of community service and write an 'extended essay ' - a 4000 word dissertation-style essay on the topic of your choice. The community placements were just awesome and really helped develop my personal skills. I helped organise parties for local elderly folk and help disabled children learn to horseride. Obviously you can do volunteering at any time outside of the IB, but it's not something I would have just thought of doing beforehand.
The 'extended essay' is also great preparation for university. My peers here who just did science A-levels panicked and struggled with writing it, whereas I took it in my stride and got a top mark. Just another small reason to pick the IB!
Hope this has helped a bit, please ask any questions you might have!
CommanderJameson said:
I would think that IB would be presented to Jr as an alternative to A-Levels; no fait accompli required. The reason I've suggested it to him is the reason you folks have identified, which is that he doesn't actually have a clear career path identified. He's a bright lad but hasn't really got a handle on what he wants to do, yet. IB does sound like it has the potential to fit the bill, should he be so inclined.
Agreed, in that context it's a worthy contender.If CJ Jr has higher education in mind, you or they could do no harm by contacting the admissions office and admissions tutor(s) for a typical uni or two that they might consider regardless of subject, perhaps based on the likely outcome of CJ jr's sixth-form career and the location plus reputation (thinking about entry requirements and competition) to see what they say as of now. As for typical employers, if there is such a thing I suspect they won't know that much about it, to be honest. Even worse for the new Diplomas.
I think IB is certainly worthy of consideration. However, the Russell Group universities and admissions tutors are perhaps still much more familiar with traditional A levels.
Most of the major graduate schemes still specify 2.i + AAB/ABB at A level.
It might be wise to stick to core subjects.....it's been nearly 6 years since I did A levels.....but we were strongly encouraged to do Maths & Science subjects.......rather than Law/Business Studies etc.
Most of the major graduate schemes still specify 2.i + AAB/ABB at A level.
It might be wise to stick to core subjects.....it's been nearly 6 years since I did A levels.....but we were strongly encouraged to do Maths & Science subjects.......rather than Law/Business Studies etc.
A3 Lucie said:
If you're looking to get into a competitive course, nearly everybody will have 3 A's at least, so it is difficult to distinguish between the 'good' and the 'excellent'. Whereas the IB does that: I got 36 points (out of 45), which is rougly 3 and a half 'A's' at A-level. Someone with 45 points is regarded to have about 6 A's according to UCAS, so clearly it's more possible to set yourself apart by doing the IB.
Good point, though there is the A* grade about to hit A-levels. Cambridge have already said they'll be looking for at least A*AA and may well move to A*A*A or all three in due course depending on how discriminating the A* proves to be in practice, or inflates over time. That's from reports, I don't represent them or claim any inside knowledge.Thanks all, much to ponder.
TB, on a side note: I fear that A-Level grade inflation is about to head the same way as GCSEs. To a chap of my vintage, if there's a need for a grade that's better than A, then A isn't hard enough. Either the syllabus is wrong, or the curve isn't adjusted, or whatever.
TB, on a side note: I fear that A-Level grade inflation is about to head the same way as GCSEs. To a chap of my vintage, if there's a need for a grade that's better than A, then A isn't hard enough. Either the syllabus is wrong, or the curve isn't adjusted, or whatever.
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