KES meeting

[kanamm]

We were there! Very relaxed. The feeling I took was that learning was fun - it felt more informal and jokey than anything I've been to at any of the Birmingham/Walsall consortium grammar schools. Like they didn't take themselves too seriously. I wonder if the lack of Ofsted/National Curriculum pressure was in evidence. There was a very sweet and funny video of Year 8 (Remove as they call them) boys talking about their first year at the school.

We were there too and I agree with Turtlegirl. Informal meeting. Had a chance to chat with a couple of parents who have children studying there. A very positive experience for us. Teacher's were lovely.Can't explain it in words but the school just 'feels right'. Will wait for March3rd before making the final decision, but we are leaning more towards KES at this point.

[80's girl]

Hmm. I'm not sure about the IB! DS really likes a particular area and I'm sure he will want to specialise at post 16. I know you can apply to GS for post 16 but if you have given up a place there at 11+ for private it would make for a stressful time I'm sure. A friend had told me that the meeting last night would cover IB and I would come out thinking it would be great. Obviously I couldn't go so I still worry! What do you guys think? DS is a good all rounder...

Hi Godfather, I have a ds in yr 11 at KES, who has just chosen his IB options, so I thought I'd pass on a few of my thoughts. At 11, like your ds, I would say he was an all rounder and he still is, although he has a far greater opinion about what he does and doesn't like! He doesn't like the fact that he has to continue studying maths, but he will do this at a standard level even opting for maths studies rather than maths standard as that would be similar to a maths a level which he would never do!! The IB gives him the opportunity to study his 3 favourite subjects 2 humanities and 1 science at higher level which if studying A levels would have been his first 3 choices. My ds doesn't really have a
career choice in mind, but there is plenty of scope for scientists or linguists etc to specialise in their areas (by for example studying 2 sciences and maths at higher level) whilst still benefiting from the breadth and challenge of the IB.

There are boys who may be more suited to A levels for example if they are poor at all languages or english or sciences for example, or really can't bear the thought of continuing to study these or maths for the next 2 years. To get into the top universities you really can't afford to drop many points at standard level so this is an important consideration.

There is also the general consensus that the IB is a heavier workload than A levels and your sweet and keen 11 year old may get quite lazy and do "just enough" as they get older. Luckily mine had a major blip around year 9, but seems to be back on track, but it is hard to see that far ahead, so brace yourself!

My ds thought briefly about doing A levels, I think ultimately at 16 it is their choice, but I would have done everything in my power to persuade him otherwise, as I think the IB is good for him and if (fingers crossed) he puts the work in, he should do well. He has heard of some boys planning to leave to do A levels, but this is due to them not wanting to do language, science, etc, not because the IB doesn't allow you to "specialise" in your chosen area.

I would be totally shocked if KES reverted back to A levels or taught them alongside the IB. It was a huge step for KES to make this change, and there is a strong belief within the school that the IB is right for the boys at KES, and it is working so well. I don't see how teaching an IB alongside A levels could work there, and what the point would be.

I would just look at where he is now, moving him at 16 (either to do A levels or an IB) is a very viable option. I was offered that advice on here when my ds was 11, and I think that's the best way to look at things, as five years is such a long time and you never know he may surprise you and change his interests.

[Thegodfather]

Thanks for that 80s girl! I still don't really 'get' it! They have 6 choices? Three higher and three standard? Are the higher ones like A'levels and standard like As? But whats studies? I did pick up a leaflet at the open day but I have no idea where that is... Just looking on the KES website now! But the arts are optional??! And DT is a science?!!

[Bubbles44]

We were there too and I agree with Turtlegirl. Informal meeting. Had a chance to chat with a couple of parents who have children studying there. A very positive experience for us. Teacher's were lovely.Can't explain it in words but the school just 'feels right'. Will wait for March3rd before making the final decision, but we are leaning more towards KES at this point.

I hope our experience at KEHS on Thursday evening is as positive as this. It is a wonderful feeling when everything 'just feels right'.

Good luck Thegodfather!!! I hope you find the answers to all your questions about the IB.

[moseleymum]

Thanks for that 80s girl! I still don't really 'get' it! They have 6 choices? Three higher and three standard? Are the higher ones like A'levels and standard like As? But whats studies? I did pick up a leaflet at the open day but I have no idea where that is... Just looking on the KES website now! But the arts are optional??! And DT is a science?!!

http://www.kes.org.uk/the-programme.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The point is that DT satisfies the IB "science" criteria which gives another option for those not interested in science particularly. Some people (who are used to A levels) criticise IB as it makes them continue with subjects they might not otherwise have chosen if they were choosing A levels eg scientists might not want to do language, linguists might be desperate to drop science. IB keeps all options open for everyone.

DT at IB is important for those with the Arkwright scholarship and you can only do it if you have done DT for GCSE.

Arts aren't for everyone. Scientists will want to do two sciences, creative types might want to do something simple to satisfy the science category and choose something from the Art category.

I really think it's a bit too much to get in for a 10/11 year old!

So many parents "think" their child is a scientist now and therefore will not want to do language/arts etc post 16, but there's a long time until then! You can do both! Science for work and other things for enrichment, it doesn't have to be either/or. They can specialise at University and enjoy such things now knowing that it won't disadvantage their future degree choice by doing so. From experience, my own family members have had to take up languages in adulthood as their careers (medical) have taken them all over the world and they dropped language at 16.

In any case, there are numerous IB v A level threads elsewhere on the forum.

[Natalie74]

Wow what interesting information about the IB. I remember when I was looking round KES and got chatting to the head of 6th form who was passionate about the IB. He was honest and said it is harder work than A levels but by the time the DC get to uni they are so used to the work load that they find it much easier that people who didn't do the IB.

[sbarnes]

Our DS has no interest in the arts; both parents science background so explains it all really! Hence for us, KES doing IB was the reason for us to turn down their excellent offer; we knew DS would struggle with the arts at 16+..
Also friends kids tend to be offered higher points than the equivalent A levels for university courses, may or may not be the case.

[moseleymum]

Our DS has no interest in the arts; both parents science background so explains it all really! Hence for us, KES doing IB was the reason for us to turn down their excellent offer; we knew DS would struggle with the arts at 16+..
Also friends kids tend to be offered higher points than the equivalent A levels for university courses, may or may not be the case.

And so he returns.....

[hermanmunster]

Curiously this highly scientific household has produced kids planning to do humanities at university, however both managed a science and maths at A level + EPQ and GS alongside the humanities / languages - so their own little IB really.

I wish I had been able to do a broader range at A level but it was harder back in the dark ages -

[sbarnes]