Outstanding opportunity for local students - 23/4/10
Published: 23 April, 2010
Two local students will have the opportunity to follow the International
Baccalaureate Diploma at Plymouth College from September with
the launch of two Exhibition Awards - each of the awards offers up
to 50% of the Sixth Form fees. Although open to students from
any other school, preference will be given to those from the
maintained sector in Devon and Cornwall who without such financial
support would be unable to attend an independent school.
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB) was
created in 1968. Its aim is to provide 16-19 year old students with
an enriching, breadth of education that allows them to gain a
rigorous qualification that possesses the ultimate level of
portability in a world where national boundaries are increasingly
becoming less significant. IB opens up endless possibilities for
students to study at universities around the world. Equally,
the qualification is highly-valued by UK universities.
IB at Plymouth College runs alongside A Levels. Diploma
programme students have their own lessons, but all other elements
of Sixth Form life such as the tutor group system, assemblies,
games and extra-curricular activities are fully integrated.
Headmaster Dr Simon Wormleighton said: "Essentially we are
looking for young people who can not only demonstrate sound
academic ability, potential and achievement, but also those who
have the potential to make a difference in their future lives in an
international context."
Fred Wild (pictured), from Liskeard, is coming to the end of his
first year on the diploma course at Plymouth College. He is
studying English, Economics, History, Maths, Physics and Spanish
(ab initio). The first three subjects are at higher level,
the next two at standard level while Spanish is a completely new
subject for him.
"I really enjoy the style and variety of learning that IB
offers", said Fred. "We are encouraged to be quite
independent and that gives us flexibility in how we learn. In
English, rather than following a set text, I was able to write my
own creative piece followed by a commentary and in Physics, the
class can choose where to go next because we're not following a
fixed curriculum."
Thinking 'outside the box' and educating the 'whole person' are
integral to the ethos of IB. Creativity, Action, Service, one
of three compulsory elements, has seen Fred undertake the Duke of
Edinburgh Award Scheme and spend a week teaching in The
Gambia. In fact it was during this week that the flexibility
of learning styles IB offers was really brought home to him during
a Theory of Knowledge (another compulsory element) lesson.
"We had the lesson sat round a camp fire", said Fred. "I
can think of no better way to get you thinking about how the world
works than to lean back and look at the stars in what has to be the
clearest sky I've ever seen!".
Applications should be submitted by 5 June 2010. Further
information about IB and how to apply for the Exhibition
Awards please click here or contact Mrs Lambie on
01752 203245 or slambie@plymouthcollege.com