Programme Overview
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
Diploma Programme - Detail All students entering the Sixth Form at Taunton School are required to have a minimum of five GCSE grades A* to C. Success at the International Baccalaureate Diploma depends on good motivation and organisational skills, and every case will be looked at individually. However we do recommend that a student should have at least grade ‘A’ at GCSE in any subjects they wish to study at Higher Level. We also recommend that they have at least grade ‘B’ at GCSE (or equivalent) in mathematics, English and a foreign language.
Each student studies the Theory of Knowledge, plus six subjects – at least three at Higher Level and the others at Standard Level. Students will also write an extended essay on a topic linked to one of their subjects and be required to complete 150 hours of extra-curricular activities. The six subjects must include English, a second language, a humanity, a science and a mathematics course. The sixth subject can be a creative subject or a second subject from one other group.
The subjects available in September 2007 are as follows. The list of subjects below remains provisional until May 2007 according to the demand for specific subjects. If there is insufficient demand, a subject may not run. Once the timetable is finalised, certain combinations of subjects may no longer be possible.
All subjects are available at both Higher Level (HL) or Standard Level (SL), unless indicated.
| Theory of Knowledge | (studied by all students) | |
| Group 1 | English | English A1* |
| Group 2 | Second Language | German A2* (HL) French B; German B; Spanish B* Spanish ab initio (SL); Mandarin ab initio* (SL) |
| Group 3 | Humanities | History; Geography; Economics; Philosophy |
| Group 4 | Sciences | Biology; Chemistry; Physics |
| Group 5 | Mathematics | Mathematics; Mathematical Studies (SL); Further Maths (SL) |
| Group 6 | Arts | Visual Arts; (or a second subject from the Groups above) |
In the event of sufficient demand, other subjects may become available. These could include: Theatre Arts, Psychology, Latin, Italian ab initio (SL), Music and Design Technology (SL).
General Studies
For two periods on a Saturday morning, Sixth Formers attend ‘Horizons’ lectures. These sessions are planned so as to develop a breadth beyond the curriculum. Issues of a general nature are covered, including health, higher education, gap years, work experience and politics.
* Language courses are tailored to the previous experience of the learner. A1 is the student’s own language or a fluent second language, A2 is a fluent second language, B is a second language learner with experience and ‘ab initio’ is starting from scratchThis page will be updated as further information becomes available.
