Upper School Experience

This PowerPoint is available on the school website

““Strength from diversity”Strength from diversity”

“WIS has a commitment to provide an appropriate

education for all our students regardless of their ability range and

preferred learning style.”

Pathways

3

Entry Guidelines for the IB Diploma

A student that enters the IB Diploma Programme should meet the following criteria:

• Achieved at least 5 A* - C at GCSE including Math and English Language

• Displayed constructive energy during their time at WIS

• Shown a commitment to CAS.

IB Diploma in ESF Secondary Schools IB Diploma Programme has been introduced for

Post 16 Students across the 5 Secondary Schools in 2007

Students in Years 10-11 will continue to complete a Middle Year Curriculum with IGCSE and GCSE examinations.

IB Diploma at WIS

First cohort of students completed their Diploma in May 2009

You will be the fifth cohort of IB and Advanced Diploma students

The IB Diploma A balanced and comprehensive international

programme of study over two years for Post

16 students University entrance qualification recognized

around the world in over ninety countries Over 3000 participating schools in more than

138 countries 752,000 Students

The Full IB Diploma Curriculum

Study 6 subjects over two years Three subjects studied at Higher Level Three subjects studied at Standard Level Study of the Theory of Knowledge Completion of an Extended Essay Participation in CAS (Creativity, Action,

Service.)

ExperimentalExperimentalSciencesSciences

IBIBExtended Extended EssayEssay

Extended Extended EssayEssay

Theory ofTheory ofKnowledgeKnowledgeTheory ofTheory of

KnowledgeKnowledge

Creativity,Creativity,Action,Action,ServiceService

Creativity,Creativity,Action,Action,ServiceService

Language B Language B Ab InitioAb Initio

Language ALanguage AA1A1

IndividualsIndividuals& Societies& Societies

MathsMaths

CreativCreative e

ArtsArts

Group 1:Literature A1- English

Demanding world literature course Most students will study texts in English. They study

novels, plays, non fiction and poetry from a range of countries and cultures

Some of the texts studied are translated texts originally written in non English languages.

10 texts at Standard Level/13 texts at Higher level. Self Taught Option (SL Only)

Group 1:Language & Literature A1 ChineseSL Only

Demanding Language and Literature Course Students must be at a very high standard of

Chinese

Group 2: Second Language Study

Appropriate Challenge• Language B Higher and Standard. This course meets

the needs of candidates for whom Language B is an academic foreign language. Students must have studied this language before. Chinese, Spanish and French will be offered.

Ab Initio – Standard Level. This course is designed for candidates who have a basic grasp of the Language or are relative beginners. Chinese, Spanish and French will be offered. Although designed for beginners this is not an easy option.

Group 3Individuals and societies Business and Management Economics Geography Psychology Philosophy History Environmental Systems and Society (Group 3 or

Group 4, also Group 3 & Group 4)

Group 4 – Experimental Sciences

Chemistry Biology Physics Design Technology:

Resistant Materials ( HL & SL )

CAD/CAM ( HL & SL )

Food ( SL )

Textiles ( SL ) Environmental Systems and Society (Group 3 or

Group 4, also Group 3 & Group 4)

Group 5:Mathematics and Computer Science Maths Higher (HL) - designed for able

mathematicians who will be studying mathematics, engineering, physics, etc at university

Maths Standard (SL) – challenging course for students requiring mathematics skills for their university degree course.

Maths Studies (SL) – focus on practical applications for those unlikely to require mathematics in their future studies.

Group 5:Mathematics and Computer Science Computer Science - Write your own software

using Java and discover how computers work and communicate

Computer Science Higher (HL) - designed for those who will be studying computer science, software engineering, computer gaming at university

Computer Science Standard (SL) – challenging course for students requiring computer engineering skills for an engineering related university degree course

Group 6 – Arts and electives

Theatre Arts Visual Arts Film Studies Music Computer Science (specialist course – speak to

Mr. Lewis) Students are expected to take a named Group 6

Arts course unless they have specific evidence highlighting Higher Education requirements to select a second subject from Groups 2-4.

Theory of Knowledge

Interdisciplinary requirement Stimulate critical reflection on knowledge 100 hours of teaching

Assessment 1 essay + 1 10 minute presentation.

Extended Essay

Original research

Extended essay of 4,000 words

Depth of analysis of a particular topic

Creativity, Action Service (CAS)

150 hours over 2 years Creativity – wide range of arts as well as

designing and implementing service projects Action – individual and team sports but also

taking part in expeditions and local/international projects

Service – community and social service activities

Assessment Terminal examinations in each subject Internal assessment in most subjects. Coursework from

30% to 70% Use made of criterion based grading system which is not

norm referenced like the current A Level system Each subject Graded 1-7 (7 highest) Diploma requirement 24 points Maximum 45 points (3 bonus points for Extended Essay

and TOK)

Students need a 4 to pass Higher Level subjects!! ESF Position