THE IB DIPLOMA PROGRAMME

Why did we introduce IB?

We introduced IB at Lomond after a lengthy period of consultation, during which we examined the changing demands of the world and the workplace on our young people. After reviewing feedback from pupils, parents and staff, it was clear that there was an appetite for a curriculum that offered more than just examinations but which developed and officially recognised other skills in a meaningful way. After exploring several different curricula, it was clear that the best fit was the IB Diploma and IB Career-related Programmes, which - after a very rigorous Authorisation process with IB - we now offer alongside SQA.

IB Approaches to Learning and Teaching allow pupils to develop transferable and lifelong skills and attributes such as critical thinking, international mindedness, creativity, agency, and resilience.

Each of the four IB programmes, Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP), and Career-related Programme (CP), provide a detailed and developmentally appropriate curriculum framework or curriculum that is broad, balanced, conceptual and connected.

The programmes can give students a competitive edge, helping them to gain admission to universities and careers of their choice, support the smooth transition to university and ultimately perform better when they graduate from university.

IB is very well researched and resourced and on this page you will find a wealth of resources about the benefits for pupils both whilst they are at school and beyond school too. The IB's main website can be found at: https://www.ibo.org/ but we have hopefully extracted some of the main pieces of information for you.

What is the Diploma Programme?

The Diploma Programme is a two year experience over S5 and S6, worth much more than the sum of its parts. Pupils choose six subjects, three at Higher Level (broadly equivalent to beyond Advanced Higher) and three at Standard Level (broadly equivalent to beyond Higher). This means pupils can specialise in the subjects they are best at and/or they need for University.

In all subjects, there is Internal Assessment spaced over the two years. There are end of year in school exams at the end of S5, then 'mocks' in the January of S6. Pupils take their final examinations in the May of S6, and receive their results in the first week of July.

Pupils gain the Diploma if they achieve 24 points overall, and fulfil certain criteria, including the completion of the Core.

What does it offer pupils?

The DP develops pupils who:

• have excellent breadth and depth of knowledge

• flourish physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically

• study at least two languages (English and one other)

• excel in traditional academic subjects

• explore the nature of knowledge through the programme’s unique theory of knowledge course.

• are ready not just to be accepted to University, but who can 'hit the ground running' and excel, rather than just cope, once there

Why choose the DP?

Long-standing international research shows that there are many benefits to choosing the DP over other 16-19 curricula. A small selection of these are:

• It is a rigorous and challenging programme recognised and highly valued by Universities and employers around the globe

• It is a two year programme which allows pupils to reach their peak, both academically and in terms of maturity, before the sitting exams which will decide their future

• Internal Assessment features robustly in every subject, which alleviates pressure for pupils and mirrors the experience they will have at University

• Six subjects allows pupils to continue following a broad curriculum and ensures they are 'all rounders' rather than specialising in only a limited field

• Universities in the UK rank the IBDP as their preferred pre University pathway because pupils arrive having been learning in the accepted University style for the previous two years (research and inquiry based, rather than 'spoon feeding' and memorisation)

• The Core gives pupils an edge when applying to University and also adds to their UCAS points

• DP students are better able than their peers to cope with demanding workloads, manage their time and meet the expectations placed on them, according to one study

• Analysis of DP students in Canada, the UK and the USA found that the DP’s extended essay improves students’ approach to learning in higher education

• You can take your IBDP qualification anywhere in the world

The DP Curriculum

The Diploma Programme (DP) curriculum is made up of six subject groups and the DP core, comprising theory of knowledge (TOK), creativity, activity, service (CAS) and the extended essay.

Through the Diploma Programme (DP) core, students reflect on the nature of knowledge, complete independent research and undertake a project that often involves community service.

Learn more about the DP curriculum here:

https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/curriculum/

Specific details about each subject at both levels is available on the IB Subject Information page.