Most parents don’t give the curriculum their child studies a second thought – that’s because they’re unaware there’s another option: the International Baccalaureate. But this first-class alternative is only offered at private schools, right? Wrong!
Are there IB curriculum state schools in London?
School days are supposed to be the happiest days of your life. Make sure your children make the most of these magical years when you relocate to London by selecting a curriculum that’s right for them.
Did you know they’re not confined to the National Curriculum – and the GCSE and A-level exams that fall under its banner? There’s another option that’s been empowering students to take ownership of their learning and thrive in the world for over 50 years: the International Baccalaureate (IB) – designed for students aged 3-19, the IB pathway encourages both personal and academic achievement.
Taught in 143 countries, the IB programme “is a global leader in international education – developing inquiring, knowledgeable, confident, and caring young people … IB programmes enable teachers to develop resilient, self-motivated young people who have the knowledge, skills, and the sense of purpose they need to thrive throughout their lives and contribute to making the world a better place.”
So, where is the IB taught? These programmes are typically associated with fee-paying private schools in the UK. If the fees charged at these institutions are a bit beyond your budget, you’ll be pleased to hear that some state schools in London offer the IB.
Westminster Academy
Located in London’s historic heart, Westminster Academy is a co-educational school for pupils of 11+ years. The school aims for students to achieve their spiritual, moral, social, cultural, intellectual and physical potential, leaving them equipped for the responsibilities and opportunities of life beyond the classroom.
The student-centred and internationally-minded values of the IB programme underpin the school’s ethos. This rich curriculum has breadth and depth, helping students to develop their thinking, social, communication, self-management, and research skills. Within this framework, all students explicitly study a modern foreign language, English and mathematics alongside their other subjects.
Bexley Grammar School
Nestled deep in southeast London, Bexley Grammar is a co-educational school with a clear vision: “of a school that gives students the confidence to succeed in whatever they aspire to do in their lives. We want all students to reach their full academic potential in line with the Learner Profile of the IB and with our ethos, expressed in the three words: Intellect, Empathy and Courage.”
Having followed the National Curriculum up to GCSE level, your child can choose to complete their school education in the sixth form. Here they will follow the world-class IB Diploma Programme (IBDP), consisting of: mathematics, English, a language, a science, and two additional subjects, with a core of knowledge, skill, creativity, action, and service.
Ashcroft Technology Academy
This co-educational secondary school for students aged 11–18 is a short distance from the Thames in one of London’s most pleasant and well-heeled suburbs: Putney. The school’s determination to prepare students for their adult life beyond the formal curriculum is underpinned by the promotion and reinforcement of traditional British values: democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect, and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs.
Having completed the National Curriculum up to GCSE level and chosen to move into the sixth form, your child has a choice of two programmes of study: A-Levels or the IB.