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Teaching of AS and A2 and the International Baccalaureate at Impington Village College
'When I arrived at university I realised how well the IB had prepared me. The first lecture was on how to write an essay while I had already researched and written a 4000 word essay.' A former IB student.
Video clips
View some of the good practice described below in the case study.
Context
Impington Village College is an inclusive school, oversubscribed and with a distinctive ethos. Impington has an international culture that is reflected in its status as a Language College, its international sixth form and its promotion of international understanding through its work in citizenship, the arts, international curricular projects and extra-curricular activities. In 1998, Impington became one of the British Council’s first International Schools. It also serves as a centre for the integration of children with physical and learning difficulties.
Key objectives
To co-teach AS and A2 languages and the International Baccalaureate programme to students in years 12 and 13.
How the programme is organised
The school teaches A level and IB together as the IB course is not as prescriptive as A level. Their scheme of work includes the topic areas necessary for A level and supplements this by using different text types from the wide variety of sources required by the IB text handling paper. All the grammar required by the A2 is necessary for IB students to be able to express themselves in the essay paper and in the oral tasks.
Over the course of the two years students taking a language B at higher level also encounter or produce all the types of text required by the IB and prepare for the speaking exam with discussion, debates and role plays in class and during their weekly lesson with the French assistant.
The A level students benefit from the wider approach to the subject which the IB brings. They are timetabled for an extra lesson every week to work on exam skills specific to A level.
'The emphasis which the IB places on language learning puts languages at the heart of the diploma.' Teacher of IB at Impington.
Evidence of success
The IB Diploma programme has been running at Impington for 15 years. It is now far more widely known and respected by universities. The IB is central to the school’s international outlook and is a wonderfully broad programme which really prepares students for further study. A number of students come from Europe and further afield to do the IB at Impington; they are then able to apply for university in the UK or abroad.
Results at Impington are very good and universities are familiar with the points system and some include IB points along with A level grades in their prospectus. There is also evidence that admissions tutors recognise the more rounded profile that an IB student brings.
'The IB claims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. I feel deeply privileged to contribute to this process, which I see working every day.' Teacher at Impington
For the students it is hard work: their timetables are full, but they gain so much from it. Students are advised that they need an overall GCSE profile of Bs and higher. They need to be strong enough in all subjects. The students are extremely positive about their experience of the IB and feel well-prepared for the demands of university study. They will all have done an extended essay of 4,000 words, researched and written independently. They also have to find a member of staff to supervise their work. The Theory of Knowledge enables them to consider issues in a cross-curricular way and they regularly work in groups preparing presentations. The CAS programme is helpful for their personal statements and they appreciate the fact that there is no hiatus in Y12 for external exams. The external assessment takes place in Y13 and the exams are in May with publication of results in the first week in July.
Future developments
In the light of the changing 14 to 19 curriculum, the IB will continue at Impington as an excellent academic qualification which challenges able students. The grading system (maximum 45 points) is finely tuned so university admissions tutors are able to distinguish between candidates. It is also possible to offer students integrated courses where they take a mixture of A levels and IB certificates.
Author: Yannick Crespy and Eddy Moore, Impington Village College
