How popular is the IB in the UK?

 

By Peter Dix

 

Q My nine–year–old daughter's education to date comprises time at an International School in Hong Kong, following a largely UK–based curriculum; she has spent the past year at an IB school in the Netherlands. We are about to relocate again to Paris, where I am opting to continue her IB schooling at the International School of Paris. I would love her to continue with IB until she is 18, but anticipate we shall move back to the UK in three to four years time.

 

First, I would be interested in your opinion as to what extent IB is going to become more widely available at secondary level in the UK over the next few years. Secondly, will my daughter be disadvantaged if she has not taken the 11–plus when she comes to apply for secondary schools in the UK? We are not sure at this stage if we will take the private or state school route. We are British nationals, by the way. Many thanks in advance of your help.

 

Helen Naylor, the Netherlands 

A The IB Diploma Programme continues to gain in popularity in the UK, although the rush of independent schools to offer it instead of, or alongside, A–levels has slowed, while funding cuts by the Government will probably slow the growth in the state sector too. You may be surprised to learn that there are many more state schools than private ones offering the IB in the UK, so you would certainly have a reasonable number of schools to choose from in both sectors.

 

The 11–plus exam is used, as I am sure you know, as part of the admissions process to the few surviving grammar schools. If you were interested in one of these, you would need to speak to the school concerned. Independent schools will always consider applications from abroad, and most will have considerable flexibility in the criteria and processes they apply. Here, too, you need only pick up the phone, or unfold your laptop, as a first step.

 

Q I read your comments in response to a parent wishing to influence teaching methods. I am a school governor, and as such do, from time to time, seek explanations of the whys and wherefores of teaching methods. Can I pass on to your correspondent, and anybody else who is interested, the fact that every school's governing body has parent representatives who can be asked to assist if there is a problem. Governing bodies work extremely hard on behalf of pupils but are rarely acknowledged.

 

Maggie Down, via email 

A Thank you for this, Maggie, and I am sure there will be a great many parents all over the country who are extremely grateful to you and all the other governors who do such wonderful work for our schools and their children. I also know that many schools are crying out for parents willing to become governors themselves.

 

Sounds and sweet airs 

After a summer during which some of our young people disgraced themselves out on the city streets, I was privileged to attend a concert by the National Children's Orchestra, entirely peopled by seven to 13 year–olds. The audition process is keenly selective; however, many members of the national orchestra and the five regional ones that feed it come from modest backgrounds, and a bursary scheme is in place to make it possible for them to attend the residential courses and play a full part in the life of orchestras.

 

All of this costs money, and if any readers would like to make a donation or become an NCO Friend to support the work of this exceptional musical organisation, they should visit nco.org.uk, where they will also find details of the NCO's forthcoming Winter Concerts, featuring music by Smetana and Tchaikovsky, not to mention John Williams's Harry Potter Suite.

 

peterdix.co.uk 

 

Telegraph