Year 11’s IB taster programme

Albert Einstein once said that the measure of intelligence is the ability to change. Year 11 learned the hard way this term that the only way to survive and thrive when faced with circumstances out of our control is to adapt.

It has been a real pleasure to welcome back Year 11 to school and congratulate them on the resilience shown to the extraordinary circumstances that COVID-19 thrust upon us. The way that they were able to adapt their learning from the physical classroom to the virtual classroom has been inspiring. They continued to prepare for IGCSE examinations during an already tense time in their academic careers with little complaint.  When Cambridge took the decision to cancel IGCSE examinations for the safety of all students, they quickly adapted again to these unprecedented circumstances.

This has turned out to be a wonderful opportunity for them and for us to prepare for the challenges that the IB will bring. Students taking an alternative pathway of study are also able to benefit from the IB taster programme.

Students in year 11 are following a tailor made eight-week preparation course. Each group of subjects has one week to give students the foundations of knowledge or skill required to be successful in their area of study. Students are also benefiting from the expertise of our school counsellor, Ms Fairbairn who has prepared a rich course of University and careers education which spans the entire eight weeks. Mr Graham is offering the foundations of finance, a course which has been hugely popular with students who want to better understand the basics of saving and investing.  Other specialist courses include Mr Westropp’s virtual work experience and Ms Hull’s extended reading project. On top of this students are balancing regular PE lessons, life skills and navigating simple projects that reflect the demands of the IB’s core subjects CAS, TOK and the extended essay.

At the beginning of the week, Year 11 reflected on their resiliency as a skill to be cultivated. They reflected on their strengths during distance learning, so they could know where to turn next time something is difficult. They already appear to be accessing those coping skills in order to thrive through the challenges of this preparation course. I have no doubt they will be very successful in whatever higher education pathway they have chosen.

Rachel Stevenson

Business Studies Teacher | Head of Key Stage 4