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To IB or NOT to IB ?

Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 10:39 pm
by layla22
Hello Everyone,
Anyone out there with children doing/about to do/done the IB? What are your opinions about it.
My son is about to sit the 11+ this year and one of the choices of school does only the IB- Dartford Boys. I am rather concerned that, looking forward to the future, that by doing the IB, it will limit his choice of University courses. Naturally he has no idea what he wants to do now. I read in the Independent last week, a piece by a Head at a 'leading' grammar school in England somewhere ,that the IB is great for those doing non science subjects or for those who at the time are still undecided on career.However, for a scientific career like medicine, vet sci., the traditional A'level is still the best route.
Has anyone's DS/DD gone along the IB route and managed to secure a place in Medicine, Dentistry etc?

Your thoughts are welcomed.

Re: To IB or NOT to IB ?

Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2011 9:12 pm
by KB
Given your DC is only in year 6 & you are looking forward to year 12 I think it is quite difficult to make a decision based on the current situation - the school may have changed it spolicy by then, Universities attitude to the IB my have changed, the IB may have changed, your DC may have changed schools....

I would make a decision based on up to end of GCSEs.

Re: To IB or NOT to IB ?

Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2011 9:48 pm
by layla22
You're quite right of course KB. I've said the same to myself many times. I remember thinking about the merits of the IB some years ago when my daughter had just finished the 11+. Now she is in the first year of her GCSEs and the pros and cons of the IB are still being debated in the media.
I just thought other forum users might give me thier opinions on the IB.

Re: To IB or NOT to IB ?

Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2011 11:04 pm
by KB
Of course- and hopefully you will get plenty of info.
I think there was quite a debate on here a little while ago so I guess if you search on 'IB' you might find something useful.
Our local GS is one of top State schools and is against it as is the Indie one of my Dcs went to - only 2 examples though!

Re: To IB or NOT to IB ?

Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2011 11:12 pm
by ourmaminhavana
My husband is a senior Physics marker for IB (and teaches both IB and 'A' level courses) and considers it more challenging than 'A' level. He would be very surprised that students would be regarded as less well prepared.

Re: To IB or NOT to IB ?

Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2011 11:59 pm
by no_ball
We have rejected IB over a levels. Personally we chose a school for ds till he leaves for uni. IB is for art leaning in my opinion and my ds is science biased. Horses for courses

Re: To IB or NOT to IB ?

Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 1:40 pm
by T12ACY
We have rejected IB over A levels too. Twice now. DS1 didn't want to do it, can't even remember why now, and DS2 has just reached almost the end of GCSE's choosing to go on and study at A level. He didn't want to do a language, even the foundation level and couldn't 'fit' the courses he wanted in to it. I think the 'service' aspect put him off if I am honest. He is great academically but is a bit unsure in new situation and not one to jump up and volunteer. Having said that he did volunteer work for his D of E Bronze award and loved it! I thought it was a shame as the rest of it suited his abilities, particularly the extended essay.

I wouldn't be selecting a secondary school based on what they offer after GCSE though. As others have said, so much can change between now and then..... like a new HT who has a whole new vision for the school! (this has happened in our situation and am now glad DS3 didn't get in after all)

Re: To IB or NOT to IB ?

Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 1:45 pm
by Belinda
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Re: To IB or NOT to IB ?

Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 11:11 pm
by neurotic kent mum
TGS only doing IB from 2012 now. My dd veryn happy about this as it gives her a wider range of options for university. Moving to just IB allows teachers to concentrate on the needs of this qualification. IB highly regarded. Although can be more difficult I believe to get the necessary scores for university.

Re: To IB or NOT to IB ?

Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 9:57 am
by hermanmunster
I think the advantage of A levels is that they are more flexible
- you can do all arts,
- all languages,
- ll science or
- a glorious fuzzy mix that with the EPQ looks suspiciously like the IB (eg maths, a language, a science and humanities) :wink:

I looked at the IB years ago and thought it would be the way everyone went - but now I have 6th form kids and are on the trail round Universities I discover that still relatively few people are doing it, one reason I have heard is the extra cost (not sure why)... if this is the case then I can I can imagine few more will start doing it in view of the ecognomix these days...