Breaking myths - Thriving beyond academics with the IBDP at Compass International School

Why choose to study the IBDP at Compass International School?

One of the biggest misconceptions about the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is that it is only suitable for the most academically gifted students. This is not true! I have seen students from many different foundations succeed and thrive on the IBDP – it is all about attitude. 

Certainly, the IBDP is a complex programme – six subjects plus The Core – this means that there are lots of different elements to balance…and this is what encourages students to develop new skills to thrive in this multifaceted environment. This breadth also means that it is the perfect pathway for a student who does not have a fixed idea about their future beyond school. The IBDP will enable our young people to keep their options open for as long as possible, allowing them to change their direction during Years 12 and 13….an occurrence that I have seen many times in my years of Sixth Form leadership!

As educators, we know that we grow the most when we are challenged. The IBDP will certainly present many challenges and, as a result, our students see their capacity to learn and develop exponentially.  As a parent myself, I often reflect that I would rather my son experience these life lessons when he is still living at home and has the support of his family and the caring and close-knit school community to lean on. Once our young people arrive at university, they can sometimes feel like they are not sure who to turn to for support. Every year, we have returning students who come and share how grateful they are that they took the Diploma Programme at Compass and persevered to, not only learn the required subject material but also enjoy the benefits of the skills that were more discreetly taught – to name a few - time management, planning, self motivation and self reflection – collectively known as self-management skills. These skills have and will equip our young people to succeed throughout their lives, not only at university.  

Our teachers have undergone the most up-to-date training to ensure that their subject knowledge and pedagogical understanding is cutting-edge. Our teachers design lessons that are tailored to ‘develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people’ as outlined by the IBO mission.

If a student is passionate about pursuing the Diploma, has an open mind, and is keen to learn new skills as well as new knowledge……we can support them to succeed. 

One of my favourite things about the Diploma Programme is that students thrive in the most significant way when they engage with the philosophy of the programme – to do this, they must be empowered to take charge of their own experience, and this enables them to Create their Future!

Katherine Rose

IB Coordinator