IB & A Level 2018 - 2020 IB Diploma A Levels Two-year - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

IB & A Level

2018 - 2020

IB Diploma A Levels

Two-year programme Two-year programme Internal exams in June of L6th Terminal external exams in May of U6th Internal exams in June of L6th Terminal external exams in June of U6th Has a coursework component in all subjects Has a coursework component in some subjects U6th Results published 6th 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

• HL subjects

6 lessons per week

• SL subjects

4 lessons per week

Group 1 English Group 3 Individuals & Societies Group 5 Mathematics Group 6 The Arts Group 4 Sciences Group 2 Second Language

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%
• f 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

• ption 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
• Removal of ‘old style’ AS

Exams in L6th

• End of L6th exams will

now be internally assessed examinations

• These L6th exams will not

count towards A Level marks overall but…

• 4 or 3 subjects
• Final A Level exams sat at

end of U6th

• Results come out in August
• f U6th year

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 6th 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 MusicTechnology MT Latin LA English EN Government & Politics PO 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 SL - 4 periods per week 8 periods per week = 32 periods (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

• tal = 32 periods

T

• tal = 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 6th 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-
• rganised 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 6th Form subject choices

support your university/career aspirations

How to choose?

• Am I interested in the subject?
• Do I enjoy the subject?
• Do I need particular subjects for a career choice?
• Do I need particular subjects for a university course?
• What are the abilities I need to succeed in a subject?
• Does my attainment so far suggest I can thrive on the

increased challenge of 6th Form compared to GCSE?

• Do I want variety in my courses or subjects which relate

to each other?

• Do any of the new subjects use my talents or interests?
• Do I want breadth or focus of study?
• Which will suit me better: IB or A Level?

How to choose?

• Read the Course Booklet Introductions and Subject

Details

• Check the GCSE grade entry requirements
• Read the Russell Group ‘Informed Choices’ information

(details in Careers Advice in Booklets)

• Make an appointment for Mrs Lincoln’s Careers Advice

Clinics

Decision time – IB or A Level?

• Interviews with Inspiring Futures (already started)
• Interviews with senior colleagues after October half term
• Trial Examinations – January, straight after Christmas

holiday

• Parents’ Evening –Thursday 1st February
• Complete Options Form and return by Spring Term half

term – Friday 9th February

Do your exams count?

GCSEs

• ‘Flat’ certificate
• GCSE grade requirements for entry to Sixth Form and for

acceptance onto specific subjects

• Universities look back at GCSE grades to help differentiate

between the top students

• With exam reforms, universities know what GCSEs mean and are

therefore likely to put more emphasis on them when making

• ffers

Do your exams count?

L6 Exams

• School uses L6th A Level and IB1 exams to make predictions
• We have to tie predictions to actual evidence; universities can ask

for proof U6 Exams

• Place at university will normally be dependent upon you meeting

(or exceeding) your grade offer

What do the boys think?

Questions…

Mr Adrian Finch Director of IB afinch@bedfordschool.org.uk Mr Alastair Tighe Deputy Head (Academic) atighe@bedfordschool.org.uk