The International Baccalaureate

International Baccalaureate (IB) alongside A'Levels at Taunton School

The course, which is proving increasingly popular with both universities and employers, will provide pupils at the school with an attractive alternative to A Levels, allowing them to study six subjects throughout the two year course. This option will be popular with some pupils, who find it difficult to restrict their choice to just four AS Levels when they enter the sixth form. However the school is not abandoning A Levels, seeing this as an opportunity to offer more choice to its pupils.

Offering this international qualification fits with the school’s aim to prepare young people to shape the world in the 21st century and with its claim to offer all pupils more than exam results. This opportunity will provide those entering the sixth form with even greater choice. Staff will be on hand to advise them as they make this important decision, supporting each student as they find the option that is right for them.

Those on the IB Diploma course will study three subjects at Higher Level and three at Standard Level. In addition they will write an Extended Essay (EE) on a subject of their choice, complete a course in the Theory of Knowledge (TOK), and participate in the Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) programme. The programme is structured to educate pupils in a broad range of subjects and to provide them with the opportunity to study selected subjects in depth.

For further information about the IB curriculum, and particularly EE, TOK and CAS, which are central to the Diploma Programme, please visit the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) website: www.ibo.org/diploma

This page will be updated as further information becomes available.