i'm ib

One hundred and one schools in the UK now teach the International Baccalaureate diploma programme to sixth formers. Nearly half of those are independent schools. The sector, with its greater freedom and willingness to experiment, has long pioneered the qualification.

Last year those pioneers landed a windfall when the International Baccalaureate was given what looked to many like a standing ovation by Ucas. Under the tariff, a common IB score of 30 gives a candidate 419 Ucas tariff points against just 360 for three As at A-level. A top score is equivalent to more than six As at A-level.

The result is that IB schools like Sevenoaks, North London Collegiate and King's College School now crowd the top of the league tables. And one teacher found that universities, including the points pedants at Oxbridge, were more lenient if a student dropped a grade on the IB Diploma than in A-levels.

The Abbey School in Reading is introducing the International Baccalaureate next year. The tipping point for head Barbara Stanley came last year when the new changes to the A-level became clear. "Instead of educationalists reforming A-levels it seems to be the politicians," she says. Populist grade inflation has ruined the A-level, she believes.

It is not just about grades. On the IB Diploma, students select options (specializing in three) from six required subject groups: first and second languages, humanities, sciences, maths, and the arts. They also write an extended essay of 4,000 words, undertake a theory of knowledge course, and complete 150 hours of supervised CAS (creativity, action, service) time.

"The depth and breadth is astonishing," says Stanley. "They can't really make a mistake. They're numerate, literate, have a language and a science."

A familiar concern is that the IB Diploma is too difficult for some. "It's a myth that it's only for the brightest students," says Carolyn Trimming, in charge of the IB diploma programme at The Godolphin and Laty-mer School in London. "I've taught the IB to children with dyslexia, with special needs. They do really well. It's perfectly accessible."

It's certainly a boon for the best. Godolphin's first year of IB students graduated this summer. Nearly a third achieved 40 points or more, worth 652 Ucas points, equivalent to more than five As at A-level.

It is not just a good way in to university, but also a preparation for success there. Trimming says she is often impressed by extended essays that read like undergraduate dissertations. And the essay gets students used to academic norms with a bibliography, abstract, and references.

But it may be a while before Godolphin dumps the A-level altogether. "Some subjects offered in A-level are not offered," says Trimming.

Since the IB's Ucas coup, much of the attention paid to the qualification has been because of its ability to open doors to the best universities. Katy Ricks, head at Sevenoaks School, says: "It's a terrific qualification that'll prepare students for university and for life."

Sevenoaks has now ditched A-levels and teaches only the International Baccalaureate. "It gives teachers and students more independence. We've found it liberating," says Ricks.

Several league tables put Sevenoaks top with an average of nearly 620 points, equivalent to over five As at A-level. The result has been more Sevenoaks students getting their first choice university.

And A-levels? Ricks has no regrets. "They've become much narrower, atomized and rigid; the IB is much more interesting," she says

source:independent.com

here we go!

my dear

dear TIME,

if i ask u to move faster,

im not sure whether i can follow ur pace,

n if i ask u to pass me by slowly,

surely u'll test my patient,

obviously,

common people is me.

retirement

have u ever wonder how it feel when u retire??it is so painful and hard to accept.when u look forward, u can see empty road which lead u no where.there is nothing to drive u to wake up in the morning.it seems to be u never have to wake up at all.no more task to be completed, no more responsibilities to burden u.it is just matter of time..haha.maybe i look to far.hey! finally i have quit my job due to the recession.no la.it is time for me to move to the next chapter in my life.to continue my study.seriously, waiting is something that is painful. and the best thing is, it will be over soon enough.i have waited this time to come for many months.holding ur pen, punching ur calculator, make an essay, class room, teachers etc.. AND im doing this again! it is my pleasure...regarding the retirement, am i is consider as a person who has retired?i think i am not.may be QUIT is the right word. eventough i will working again in the next 5 or 6 years, still it bring me the feeling of uncomfortable.to leave what is commonly done,usually see.it such living in different atmosphere.can u imagine?when u really, really retired. i meant when u were in 60s.what will u do? so scare to figure it out ha.just leave it to TIME

half a year

its June already. without much realise, we have been in the middle of the year AGAIN. sometimes it is necessary to take some moment to relax and recap what we have done in the previous months.for me, after spm, my life have become so dull, no more friends to talk to, or laughing together, or even doing some adventurous activities as most of us were heading back to their respective hometown, after spending years as residential school students.books.. forget about it for a while. for me, the previous months was filled with toils and sweat.yeah, i am working.in the restaurant that served the best pizzas under one roof.can u guess? u were right. the pizza hut.



a lot of things that i have learned there.things that cannot be learned from the classroom.it is called the rule of life.sometimes, being nice can't lead u to a happy life.yet, a bad person also cannot live in a good world.the experiences were mixing as most of them were good memories and others were bad.yela, when customer scolded u because u were late to take order, u still have to say thank u.and when u were in mood of breaking the silence by breaking the glasses or plates, of course the manager will add-on some noises to u.on the other hand, the best thing when u were working is about getting the salary.not so much la..cukup-cukup makan je. the first thing that i had to do is, taking out the money from the ATM la.next, i belanja my family.it was a pleasure to see ur brothers were smiling to u as their stomach already full, and ur parents, their expression were more obvious as they were no need to pay.ha3..other best thing were meeting new friends. there were the locals and the foreigners.akmal, husaini, salmi,ainaa kak el,kak aimee to name a few.they have help me to grow.to understand more about the reality of life.they also have assist me how to be true PENANGITE.its include places (queensbay,gurney,pdg kota) foods(nsi kndar beratur, mee sotng, pasta) clubs(momo, soho,fame) bike( abg tanjung, lyn corner, trial, motul- high class engine lubricant, racing boy - branded bike component, arc/khi - had stylo design for helmet). grown ENOUGH ha??..no la.different place has different atmsophere.as i am working i also learned to appreciate things, people and money especially.money, hard to get easy to loose.thus, spend it wisely and save a lot. ur friends is what u are.so, befried with somebody that is always with u wether in good time or bad time.tribute to bacth of 48 n my pizza hut collegues.n please love ur enviroment. use the 3R...hmm a lots of things kan! half a year has gone and there are next half a year.let us pray and hope that the coming months will teach us more and we will going through it with successfully.

tribute

the success already granted,

the path is now clearly seen,
the journey will be started soon,
and behind of that,
stand teachers,
who will never feel tired,
to assist the future,
to let them becoming real,
for the glory,

thank you, teachers

perkataan

congratulations