Guernsey Press

Grammar IB students achieve better than global average

STUDENTS on the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at the Grammar School and Sixth Form Centre posted results better than the worldwide average.

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It is the only school in the island to offer the IB, which it began in 2012.

The two-year programme is usually an alternative to A-levels.

In addition this year, a small number of the students took a stand-alone IB subject certificate alongside their A-levels.

Assistant director of Sixth Form and IB coordinator Nicola Papworth said: ‘It is a much more holistic approach to studying as it makes sure the students continue with a greater range of subjects.’

The students study six subjects, three in depth at higher level and three at standard level, and these are chosen to ensure breadth as well as depth of study.

Deputy head teacher and director of sixth form Kieran James said: ‘The IB diploma programme is an increasingly popular option for students wishing to pursue a broad and balanced post-16 curriculum.

‘It has the added benefit of keeping open the option of further study or employment worldwide as well as locally and in the UK.’

IB student Carys Bromley said: ‘I knew I didn’t want to go to an English university and it was much more straightforward to do this with the IB.’

Although popular with students looking outside the UK, Megan Mahy, 18, took the IB programme and is staying on-island to do a nursing course based at the PEH.

‘I wanted to do [IB] in case I changed my mind as I still had five other subjects to fall back on.’

Of the 190 students finishing Sixth Form at Grammar this year, 26 chose the IB and Mr James believed it was becoming a more attractive option for many students.

Mrs Papworth explained: ‘Another way it is different to A-levels is that the students don’t just study the subjects in isolation. They all contribute to the overall diploma grade, and students must all complete a core course, which includes things such as critical thinking, community service and continuing with extracurricular activities that contribute to a healthy and active life.’

This year’s cohort of IB students achieved an average point score of 31.1 (out of 45), which is above the worldwide average of 29.9.

The highest individual performance was an impressive 40 out of 45 diploma points, equivalent to more than 4 A* grades at A-level.