Senior School Shaping Confident, Independent Thinkers from the Head
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Senior School Shaping confident, independent thinkers From the Head At ACS Egham we encourage all our students to engage with the world around them, respect the differences of others, and strive to achieve an impressive level of subject knowledge, beyond simply learning to pass a test. This happens as a direct result of the caring and supportive environment my staff and I create, and our skill in delivering the renowned International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes. Together we have built a strong and compassionate school community that is proud to develop confident, independent thinkers, ready to meet the challenges of a complex future. Our teachers are experts in their fields, and many are experienced IB examiners, authors, and workshop leaders. The academic advantage they bring enables our students to achieve outstanding IB Diploma exam results and top global university placements, with over 50% choosing to study at a UK university. Importantly, we balance the pursuit of academic excellence with an extensive range of co- and extra-curricular activities and state-of-the-art facilities that encourage students to take part in school life outside of the classroom. We find this all-round approach delivers the best kind of success. So, when students leave us for university, they take away much more than a love of learning – they carry forward an eloquent self-awareness and a deep respect for humanity that is a joy to behold. Jeremy Lewis Head of School ISI Report – Key findings Pupils’ attitudes to learning: Excellent The pupils’ personal development throughout the school: Excellent The welfare, health and safety and the quality of pastoral care for pupils’ throughout the school: Excellent 02 www.acs-schools.com 03 Ready, for a changing world Our expert teachers and educational leaders are deeply committed to the principles of the International Baccalaureate, with its focus on academic excellence, differentiated instruction, and rich co- and extra-curricular experiences. Our students become service-oriented, globally-minded world citizens with inquisitive minds and a real sense of personal responsibility. The IB advantage In addition to our Junior School offering the IB Primary Years Programme, we have worked hard to become the only school in the UK fully authorised to offer all IB programmes, including the: IB Middle Years Programme (IBMYP) ages 11 to 16 IB Career-related Programme (IBCP) ages 16 to 18 IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) ages 16 to 18. The IB Programmes are designed to enable students to join at any age – except the last year of the Diploma (17-18 year olds). However, the ethos, practices and study skills developed by the IB provide the most advantage the longer a student is in the system. It is this meticulously planned academic and emotional progression that enables IB students to out perform their peers in other curricula. It is an advantage that often leads IB students to attend some of the highest ranked universities in the UK and around the world. 04 www.acs-schools.com 05 The IB Middle Years Programme –ages 11-16 At the heart of our approach is a commitment to get our students ready for whatever comes next. We achieve this by balancing the opportunities we offer outside of the classroom with the renowned International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme. Our students study all the core subjects you would expect from a Design (Product Design and Digital Design) leading school – Maths, English, Science, Languages, etc – plus a range Physical and Health Education of Art and Design options. We do not offer GCSEs or follow the national curriculum. Because of this, we see our students benefiting from sitting In addition: fewer exams, as we prefer them to achieve a deeper level of subject All students participate in Wellbeing studies. Students aged knowledge and understanding, beyond simply learning for a test. 14 and 15 also complete a course of Study Skills each year. Service as Action is an integral part of the programme and The IBMYP is founded on three strong principles: students complete an Advisory Service Project each year, Holistic learning Intercultural awareness as well as participating in service activities on an individual basis. Communication Students aged 15 also complete a Personal Project in their final And is underpinned by the IB Learner Profile, where students year of the IBMYP. This in-depth and independent research project strive to be: enables them to actively showcase the skills and knowledge they have developed throughout the programme. Inquirers Open-minded Knowledgeable Caring The IBMYP is designed to be the best preparation to meet the academic Thinkers Risk-takers rigour of the IB Diploma Programme and the IB Career-related Programme. Communicators Balanced Principled Reflective Equivalent to GCSEs and iGCSEs Students study subjects in eight distinct areas: Importantly, our age 16 students are registered for IBMYP eAssessments. All eAssessment subjects are accepted by Ofqual, and are registered as Language and Literature (English) Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications, making them equivalent to GCSEs Language Acquisition (French or Spanish) and iGCSEs. Completion of the eAssessments will provide students with Mathematics (Foundation, Standard & Extended levels in all years) an official International Baccalaureate transcript as evidence of each Sciences (incorporating all scientific disciplines) student’s level of achievement for university applications. Individuals and Societies (incorporating History, Geography & Economics) 06 Arts (Drama, Music and Visual Art) www.acs-schools.com 07 Why choose the IB Diploma? Simply put, it is the best-established alternative to A Levels, and the world’s most recognised 16-19 programme. Unlike most national curriculums, the IB has a reputation for consistency and stability, free from unwanted government interference. It is: Broad and flexible, requiring 6 subjects which can be configured Course requirements in two parts to differentiate and maximise each student’s strengths. Subject Groups – students take six subjects, three at Higher and three An academic programme that encourages university-level skills, at Standard Level. They must take Maths, Science, Literature, Language, and the development of skills outside of the classroom. Humanities and optional Art or another from the first five categories. A reliable benchmark of attainment – grade inflation free. A very popular entry qualification with UK, US, and other overseas The Core – contains three elements: Theory of Knowledge explores the universities, with many lowering entry requirements for IB students. foundations of knowledge and introduces students to university-level thinking; the Extended Essay is 4,000-words of self-directed research; Known to offer students more options when applying to university. and Creativity, Action and Service requires fixed hours engaged in More likely to get students into a Russell Group university, where artistic, sporting and/or voluntary work. they are more likely to earn a first-class degree.* Very appealing to employers, who value its breadth. The IB Diploma champions group work, discussions, presentations and developing skills required at university and employment. Tailor-made for the world we now live in. *Analysis by the Higher Education Statistics Agency IB Career-related Programme IB & A Levels grading compared The IBCP incorporates the vision and educational principles of the IB into a stand-out programme specifically developed for students who The percentage of students achieving a Diploma each year has want greater career-related learning. remained constant over the last decade which indicates that, unlike Importantly, the IBCP prepares students for an ever-changing world of the A Levels, there has been little grade inflation. work, asking them to consider new perspectives, engage in learning that The highest possible score for the IB is 45 points – only 0.2% of students makes a positive difference, develop both academic and practical skills, worldwide are able to achieve this each year. The pass mark is 24 points, think creatively and critically, communicate effectively, work independently which is achieved by 79% of students. Compare this with the A Levels and in collaboration, and become self-confident, resilient, and flexible. where hundreds of schools are able to report a 100% pass rate each year. The programme’s three-part framework comprises career-related work, According to the UCAS tariff, 45 points is the equivalent of five grade A* the study of two IB Diploma courses, and the IBCP Core that connects at A Levels, 40 points is the equivalent of four grade A* at A Levels and the chosen Diploma courses directly with career-related studies. 35 points is equivalent to two grade A* at A Levels, and one grade A. 08 www.acs-schools.com UK universities score the IB over A Levels In a recent survey, UK university Admissions departments were asked how well students performed in the following qualities: The IB Diploma A Levels The IB Diploma A Levels Encouraging Nurturing independent 94% 49% communication 44% 38% inquiry skills Encouraging a Encouraging 97% creativity 37% global outlook 7% 15% Developing Developing workplace skills 67% intercultural 70% 2% skills 8% Developing Instilling a positive ability to cope 66% 62% approach to with pressure risk taking 24% 4% Nurturing an Propensity to open mind 93% complete their 83% 78% 24% degree Developing Interest to self-management 91% 47% study to MA 54% 44% skills or PhD level Developing in-depth subject