The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme emphasises student agency in their education and their progress through the DP. Student agency is emphasised in both the Learner Profile and the IB’s Approaches to Learning (ATL). The IB Learner Profile describes a broad range of human capacities and responsibilities that go beyond academic success. They also imply a commitment for learning to respect oneself, others and the wider world. The ATL illustrates the skills needed for students to develop to become successful life long learners. Taken together the qualities that are developed through studying the IB reflect the transformative potential of the curriculum to produce not only world class students but world class citizens.
However, within these qualities is a caveat and an expectation. A person does not just obtain these qualities and skills by simply enrolling in the IBDP. These qualities and skills are not given to students by their teachers. They are developed by students over time as they dedicate themselves and embrace the rigour, challenges, expectations and benefits of an IB education.
What is evident is that success and flourishing in the IBDP requires a heightened level of responsibility from the student. The teacher is there as always and provides the tools necessary for students to find success. However, those that truly embrace the IB curriculum and the responsibility they have over their own education are the ones that reflect the qualities of the Learner Profile and master the skills of the ATL.
Our Year 13 students are completing their final weeks of the IBDP and amongst all the tension leading up to exams, there are moments of celebration: their offers to join universities.
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