In The Press
Students reject traditional path to follow international route
From The Bath Chronicle Thu 25 Sep, 2008
Students Reject Traditional Path to Follow International Route Students at a Bath independent school have become the first in the City to abandon traditional A-levels in favour of an international qualification. This month, 26 sixth-formers at the Royal High School at Lansdown have started studying for the International Baccalaureate diploma (IB). Some students at the mixed sixth-form will continue to take A-levels, but all Year 12 pupils were given the choice between the two qualifications. The world-renowned IB places an emphasis on individual learning and research, and encourages students to become part of the community. School IB co-ordinator Angharad Holloway said: “So far it is going very well. The students are all very excited and really inspired. The idea of the course is turning them into compassionate and caring human beings with an international, global perspective.” For the diploma the students will continue to study a wide range of subjects, rather than just concentrating on three or four, as is the case with A-levels. As well as the academic work, the teenagers have to take part in a creative, active and service programme, where they can play sports or do voluntary work. Henry Paden, 16, wants to go to Oxford University and thinks the IB qualification will help him get accepted. He said: “I am really looking forward to the course; I think it is going to be fun. I think it is a better all-round qualification.” Fellow Year 12 pupil Harriet Hill-Payne admitted that she was nervous about being a guinea pig but was confident the course would suit her. The 16 year old said: “When I was considering the IB, the thing that excited me was the range of subjects. I thought it was really good to be able to keep some options open. I thought that I would get a much better education and become a much more rounded person rather than just specialising in a few.”
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