January, the start of Term 2 and without doubt the most demanding period of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) for students and staff at BCB. For our IBDP2 cohort, the final deadlines of their controlled assessments arrive and as their courses finish revision picks up pace. For staff, alongside their usual workload comes the added need to mark and moderate assessed work. As well as plan interesting and worthwhile revision activities. It is also in the second term of the IBDP that the weight and expectations of the program become a reality for our IBDP1 cohort.
In the second term of their first year, IBDP1 students will begin taking summative assessments that draw upon a greater range of assessment objectives and criterion. Alongside the broader scope of assessment, students also begin their Extended Essay (EE). The EE provides students with an opportunity to explore an area of personal interest to them. The chosen area of study should be related in some way to one of the six subjects they are studying. When done well, completion of the EE provides students with the training and preparation for university which is lacking in many other post-16 curricula. Resembling a mini-thesis, students create research questions and think critically in the selection of an appropriate research methodology before conducting extensive independent research and writing a four thousand word final piece. The emphasis of the whole process is on the independence of the student. Working with a supervisor who specialises in the student's selected area of study, they will receive guidance throughout the process but this is limited to three formal reflection sessions and student initiated supervisory discussions. As is clear, there is a high level of maturity needed for a student to engage with this process successfully. At the same time, being an EE supervisor puts an additional demand on the time of teachers. In order to scaffold the process for students whilst simultaneously reducing some of the weight on supervisors, at BCB we provide a structured calendar throughout the year of mini-deadlines and training sessions.
When students commit to the project and give it the time and respect it deserves, the Extended Essay can develop skills that are foundational for future success. It should also allow students to pursue their passions. For these reasons it is regarded as one of the most important aspects of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
