New Sixth Form to offer International Baccalaureate

The new Sixth Form at St Edward's College, Cottonera, has been approved by the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) to offer the prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) as from this September. This will make the college in Cottonera one of nearly 2,000 officially approved IB schools worldwide offering the IBDP, which is becoming the most popular and respected university-entry qualification in the world.

The recognition of the college as an IB world school gives it an opportunity to offer an education that is different and authentic to students who need to adopt a globally-minded perspective especially when the opportunities to extend their horizons within the EU and beyond have become much easier.

The process for the college to gain IB approval took almost a year and a half, so a question I am invariably asked is why the college opted for the IBDP when other options would have taken it less time and cost it far less to implement.

The answer is that the IB offers a high quality international education that prepares students to face the rigours of university in a way no other system can match. The focus of the IB pedagogy is on 'how to learn' rather than 'what to learn', so students who successfully obtain the IB diploma have 'learned to learn'.

IB examinations test students' knowledge, not their memory or speed. Typical IB students are not spoon-fed, but learn to ask challenging questions, are trained to work independently and conduct their own research. Students also learn the conventions of extended essay writing and have to write a 4,000-word essay on an approved subject of their choice; so when they eventually move on to university they are prepared to meet the expectations of tertiary education.

So the IB's advantages are all on the side of the students.

Some students may fear that the IB diploma is tougher to obtain than other conventional A-level systems. Again, this is not entirely correct.

The IB curriculum is certainly more challenging than other educational boards but the challenge is in the quality of assignments, not in the amount of work assigned. It is a rigorous programme which requires dedication and interest but these are qualities a student needs to acquire before entering university.

As Carolyn Trimming, IBDP co-ordinator at the Godolphin and Laty-mer School, London, says, "It's a myth that (the IB diploma) is only for the brightest students... I've taught the IB to children with dyslexia, with special needs. They do really well. It's perfectly accessible."

The directors of admissions of the highest-rated universities worldwide confirm the IBDP is, indeed, a qualification of excellence.

Marilyn McGrath Lewis, Harvard University's director of undergraduate admissions, says the "IB is well known to us for excellent preparations. Success in an IB programme, correlates well with success at Harvard. We are always pleased to see the credentials of the IB diploma programme, on the transcript." Her counterpart at Princeton University, Fred Hargadon, expresses a similar admiration for the IB, which he says "is a first-rate programme, one we are familiar with, and (which) prepares students well for a university like ours".

The IB diploma is also recognised as an entry qualification by the University of Malta. The University Senate approved a document stating that "the IB diploma will be accepted as comparable to the general entry requirements if obtained with 28 points (out of a maximum of 45) or higher overall". It is also expected that "the subjects chosen in the IB diploma should have a mix comparable to that in the Matriculation certificate".

The University has also recognised IB grades as being "broadly comparable to those awarded in the Matriculation certificate" as per the following:

Matriculation certificate - IB diploma
Grade A - 7 points
Grade B - 6 points
Grade C - 5 points
Grades D/E - 4 points

St Edward's College intends to offer a range of subjects to suit students who intend to follow courses at university ranging from the Arts to Medicine. Students have to choose six subjects from a range of disciplines, including humanities, sciences, languages and mathematics. Three subjects are studied at higher level and the other three at standard level. There are also compulsory core components in the diploma programme, namely Theories of Knowledge (TOK) and Creativity, Action, Service (CAS).

TOK is one of the most interesting aspects of the IB programme. It is an interdisciplinary course that challenges students to question the acquisition and nature of knowledge in each of the six subject areas. The course brings together these multiple disciplines through discussion and presentations. As a result, students come to understand that there are no boundaries between subject areas and that all knowledge is integrated.

The CAS is an important, integral and experiential part of the IB diploma. Essentially it involves completing 150 hours of creative, active and service activities that will most often take place outside the classroom walls; more importantly however, it aims to challenge students by developing a spirit of discovery and self-reliance, and encouraging individual skills and interests.

Since students may wish to log hours of sport as part of the 'Action' component of CAS, the college's sports and recreational facilities these have received a substantial upgrade. In September, the college will boast three five-a-side turf pitches. Hockey can also played on a turf pitch. There are also basketball, tennis and volleyball courts.

Over summer, the college is also making a significant investment in its science and IT laboratories, and its library will be completely refurbished and modernised to meet the IBO's high standards.

The college is offering 5th Form students who have a good academic record and who are keen to succeed, the chance to apply for a very generous 6th Form scholarship. For more information on the scheme, e-mail hm@stedwards.edu.mt.

For more details on St Edward's College 6th Form and the IB programme view the website www.stedwards.edu.mt/page.asp?p=6141&l=1.

Mr Chittenden is headmaster at St Edward's College, Cottonera.