The International Baccalaureate, Explained

Ewan McCallum, Head of Sixth Form at Wellington College International Shanghai, discusses the challenges and benefits of the IB Diploma Programme

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is one of the most prestigious pre-college or pre-university qualifications that a pupil can achieve. It is a highly challenging course that gives pupils the chance to fully explore their potential paths ahead in their academic career as well as their own capabilities as a learner and thinker.

While most secondary school pupils (and their parents) will have heard of the IBDP, not everyone knows exactly what that means or why it’s important.

The Basics – What is the IBDP all about?
Unlike the A Level curriculum, whereby students will typically study three-four subjects in-depth, the IBPD consists of six subject groups and the Diploma Programme (DP) core curriculum; comprising Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS), and the Extended Essay (EE).

This wider range of subjects is designed to enable pupils to complete a broader exploration of learning without specialising too narrowly too early on in their formal education. Ideally, this approach will give them the ability to not only enjoy a more holistic education, but also guide them on to a future university and career path that is right for them.

The Benefits – What does the IBDP offer pupils who take it?
I get asked this question a lot by parents whose children are about to undertake the IB, and by the pupils themselves. Why study six subjects plus the DP core if you already know what subjects you are good at from the GCSE/IGCSE years, right? Why not just focus on three subjects which are most likely to result in the best grades? The problem with this approach is that firstly it is based on the assumption that the pupil truly does know what they are ‘good at’. Wellington’s guiding principle is that a holistic education is the best path to prepare our pupils. By studying more subjects, more widely but still in-depth, pupils are truly able to discover where their talents and interests lie.

Together with the DP core, we believe that this approach sets young people up to be very capable and versatile thinkers. The IBDP achieves this with its emphasis on independent learning and being proactive and resilient throughout the two years of study. These are abilities that pupils need now more than ever before, as our world continues to change faster and more noticeably.

The Challenge – Isn’t IB incredibly hard?
The IB has a well-known reputation for being challenging - and that’s because it is. Balancing the need to explore six different subjects and produce work of a consistently high standard, alongside the demands of CAS, TOK, and the EE is not easy. However, the challenging nature of the IB is a big part of its inherent value. The course expects a lot of its pupils. It pushes them, focuses them, and, crucially, it opens up new horizons for them. So, while the difficulty of the task might seem daunting at first, know that the rewards are significant.

The Response – What does the ideal IB pupil look like?
For me, the ideal IB pupil should be all of the following things:

• A diligent time manager – Every pupil needs to be able to be organised and capable of making the best use of their time each day, with appropriate support, of course, from the College, their teachers, and tutors.
• An effective communicator – Ask- ing for help when necessary is not a weakness, it’s a strength; particularly in the context of the IBDP. Pupils need to be open about their performance and their experiences during the course. They also need to come forward and proactively engage with their teachers, especially if they are experiencing difficulties.
• A hard worker – While the level of work involved in the IBDP is always manageable with the right approach, coasting is not an option. Pupils need to be thinking strategically about keeping on top of their current workload while looking ahead to key deadlines for internal assessments, essays, and other major pieces of work that contribute to their final grade.

The Result – What does life after the IBDP look like?
While we can’t fully guarantee where a pupil will end up after they complete the IBDP, I can say with complete confidence that it will help them discover where they truly want to be, and give them the best possible chance to get there. Perhaps more importantly, Wellington sixth formers completing the IBDP will leave school confident in the knowledge that they have fought for the options they deserve and made the choice that is right for them. During my time at Wellington, I’ve had the privilege of seeing many pupils mature in a very short space of time, making honest, self-aware decisions about what paths inspire them. Similarly, I have seen pupils go on to study at universities that, at the beginning of the programme, felt completely out of their reach. This is what happens when hard work, willpower, and the right amount of ambition collide.

With the right support, the IBDP gives pupils the tools they need to succeed at their chosen higher education course and in later life. More importantly, it improves their ability to tackle new challenges and to cope with pressure and failures. They have grit and resilience, the ability to understand their own inherent strengths and weaknesses, and vitally, to know what they want and how to go after it.

To find out more about the IBDP curriculum, contact Wellington’s admissions team via the below details.
Tel.: 021 518 3866 #3885
Email: admissions.shanghai@wellingtoncollege.cn
Address: 1500 Yao Long Road, Pudong District