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 [email protected]
