The IB at Felsted

A challenging and globally recognisedacademic programmeFelsted is one of a growing number of schools in the UK to embrace the International Baccalaureate Diploma as an alternative to A-Levels and our experience in the teaching of this demanding and stimulating programme means that today’s Felsted students are well placed to make the most of all the IB has to offer.

An independent co-educational boarding and day school set in a tranquil English village, Felsted is the ideal environment for an all-round education. Our 60-acre campus provides extensive facilities for academic learning, as well as for a broad range of sports and recreational activities, that bring balance to the Sixth Form years and present challenges that are vital to the development of young individuals.

The intellectual rigour of the IB Programme coupled with the breadth of co-curricular opportunities and Felsted’s vibrant international ethos prepares students to take a full part in the world beyond School, wherever their IB qualification may take them.

Ages 4-7 (Pre Prep)

Ages 4-7 Ages 4-13 Ages 13-18

Sixth

Ages 16-18

Ages 11-13

Ages 8-10 (Prep) Ages 11-12 (Prep Transition)

Ages 13-16 (Senior) Ages 16-18 (Sixth Form)

Pre Prep

Ages 11-13

Pre Prep Transition

SixthSenior

Ages 8-10

“ The IB Diploma Programme really flourishes at Felsted. With such a breadth of education and opportunity open to them, students pursue this globally recognised qualification in a Sixth Form that is both lively and progressive. Studying alongside those of other nationalities and with chances to study and work abroad, IB students are thoroughly prepared for university life and for their roles as global citizens of the future. ”  Mr Chris Hansen, Director of IB

The International Baccalaureate Diploma for Years 12 and 13

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Growth in the number of UK schools offering the IB diploma

Top 25 IB School

The IB Diploma programmeThe IB Diploma is an internationally recognised pre-university qualification designed, in the words of the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO), to promote “intellectual rigour and high academic standards to the end that IB students may become critical and compassionate thinkers”. Students who satisfy its demands demonstrate a commitment to learning, both in terms of the mastery of subject content and in the development of wide-ranging skills.

The Diploma has the strength of A-Levels, but with additional breadth through the requirement to study a greater number of subjects and enhanced intellectual and moral challenge through the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge and Creativity, Action and Service elements. This combination gives IB students a vital edge when it comes to university applications and future career success, as well as in the all-round development of the individual.

IB ExaminationsExaminations are held in May of the Upper Sixth year, with results published in early July. Unlike the Advanced Level system, there are no external examinations in the first year, so this gives students an extra term of study in the Lower Sixth.

Why study the IB?The IB at Felsted prepares students for:

University – 19% of IB entrants achieved a first-class honours degree, compared to 14.5% with A-Level or equivalent in 2011. IB students are almost twice as likely to study medicine and dentistry (5.1% compared to 2.9% of A-Level).*

Life – the IB encourages students to be tolerant and open-minded, compassionate and principled. It promotes risk-taking and reflection, so students are confident and creative and have the integrity and skills to succeed in a global economy.

Living – Having studied both literature and at least one foreign language, Felsted IB students are excellent communicators – articulate on paper as well as

in person. The emphasis on Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) encourages students to appreciate the need for a healthy balance of physical and mental activity that will stand them in good stead for adult life.

Learning – Intellectually curious, IB students are almost twice as likely as their A-Level and equivalent peers to pursue further full-time study*. The 4,000-word Extended Essay and the Theory of Knowledge element promote independent and critical thinking.

Leadership – IB students are more likely to be employed in graduate-level jobs, and command higher salaries than their non-IB peers*. Literate and numerate, linguistically and scientifically able, IB students are tremendously versatile and can demonstrate talents that are highly sought-after in today’s world.

*Research published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency in 2011

Fantastic facilities

Lifelong friendships

Choice of activities

Many musical opportunities

Dedicated sixth form centre

Learning outside the classroom

www.felsted.org

FACt FILe: AIMS OF tHe IB

Ⅴ to be an internationally accepted qualification

for entry into higher education

Ⅴ to promote international understanding and

inter-cultural understanding

Ⅴ to educate the whole person, emphasising

intellectual, personal, emotional and social growth

Ⅴ to develop inquiry and thinking skills and the capacity

to reflect upon and evaluate actions critically

“  Life in the 21st century, in an interconnected, globalized world, requires critical-thinking skills and a sense of international-mindedness, something that International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme students come to know and understand.” The International Baccalaureate

Organization

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IB Diploma average score

The Felsted IB CurriculumStudents studying the IB Programme choose from a range of subjects offered in six groups. One subject must be chosen from each of Groups 1 to 5 and a sixth subject can be selected either from Group 6 or from a choice of subjects offered in Groups 2 to 4. Three or four of the six subjects selected are taken at Higher Level (HL) and the others at Standard Level (SL). In this way, students are able to study some subjects in depth and some more broadly in a course designed around their own ambitions and interests.

In addition to the subject choices, the IB has three core requirements that are included to broaden the educational experience and challenge students to apply their knowledge and understanding:

Theory of Knowledge (TOK) – this is at the heart of the IB Diploma Programme. It offers students the opportunity to reflect critically on diverse ways of knowing and to consider the role and nature of knowledge in their own culture, in the cultures of others and in the wider world.

The Extended Essay – an independent, self-directed piece of research, culminating in a 4,000-word paper. Emphasis is placed on the research process, on personal engagement in the exploration of the topic, and on communication of ideas and development of argument. Students, teachers and universities place great importance on this task because it provides practical preparation for the kinds of research required at undergraduate level.

Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) – this element ensures the education of the whole person comes alive in a practical, demonstrable way when students are involved in the community, whether at local, national or international level. The aim of CAS is to encourage students to engage in something other than academic study and to make a

contribution to the community. CAS may involve activities students are already doing, such as playing a musical instrument, taking part in sport, acting in a play or being on the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme. All such activities should be challenging and lead to personal growth.

High level sporting fixturesDedicated facilities

Public speaking and debating

Learning outside the classroom

FACt FILe: FeLSteD'S FACILItIeS Ⅴ Modern Sixth Form Centre for individual or group study and

relaxation, including careers centre, bar and coffee shop Ⅴ Computer-linked classrooms and study rooms

Ⅴ extensive library resources

Ⅴ Supportive pastoral care and tutoring system

Ⅴ experienced, dedicated and motivated teachers

Ⅴ Vibrant Music School with many opportunities to perform Ⅴ the Hunt theatre, hosting student and professional productions Ⅴ Advanced Art and Design & technology departments

Ⅴ Vast range of co-curricular activities, including the popular Duke of edinburgh’s Award Scheme, Combined Cadet Force and Model United Nations

Ⅴ excellent sporting opportunities, facilities, coaching and fixtures

Group 1First LanguageEnglishGerman

Group 3Individuals and SocietiesEconomics, GeographyHistory, PhilosophyBusinessManagement

* Standard Level only** Higher Level only** * Subjects offered may be subject to change

Group 5MathematicsMathsMaths Studies*

Group 4Experimental

Sciences

Extended Essay

Creativity, Actionand Service

Theory ofKnowledge

BiologyChemistry

Physics

Group 6The Arts

Visual Arts, Music orBiology, Computer

Science**, Economics,History, Latin,

Psychology, Spanish*& ab initio

Group 2Second Language

French, GermanEnglish, Spanish &

Spanish ab initio

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Develop individual interests

Opportunities to performAdventurous pursuits

Awareness of global issues

Felsted, Essex, CM6 3JL01371 822610

ado@felsted.org www.felsted.org

What the students say...What the experts say...“  University admissions tutors are now increasingly familiar with IB applicants. While typical A-Level offers have been rising in recent years, IB offers have generally stayed the same, reflecting the consistency in the standards of the IB. We are delighted that our IB students have won places at top universities.”Nicholas Spring, Head of Careers, Felsted and Co-chair UCAS Advisory Committee

“  There is a stark contrast between students prepared for university through the IB and A-Levels, with the former having a significant advantage.”Dr G Duranton, Admission Tutor, London School of Economics

“  Skills in project work, language and essay writing are a real bonus. I would lean over backwards to admit IB students.”Dr F Loebinger, Admission Tutor, University of Manchester

“  As an employer, I am always looking for those applicants who can manage their time and who have coped successfully with a wide range of studies and extra-curricular activities.”

Richard Higgins, Deputy Chairman, Agnew Higgins Pickering & Co Ltd, Lloyd’s Brokers, OF and former parent

Patricia Guht,

German IB student,

who gained 42 points

The traditional English

teaching combined

with the international

perspective of the

programme fascinated

me and I very much

enjoyed studying the IB

at Felsted. The IB Diploma

enabled me to apply to a

great range of universities

internationally and I feel

well prepared

for university. ”

“

Toby Oxnam,English IB student

Studying the IB is hard work but you get recognition for everything you do. I didn’t have to cut out any subjects I was interested in so I was able to study two foreign languages and English plus Economics and Biology. I added Music through the extended essay and I got IB points for being in the school rugby and tennis teams. A-Level studentsdon’t get official recognition for the things they do outside their subjects – universities know IB students can keep up a good standard of study and maintain additional areas of interest too. I would recommend it!

“

”Top 25 IB School