IB in, on and out

1. IB in, on and out a careers and higher education adviser’s perspective of the IB Liz Reece Liz.reece@stclares.ac.uk

2. IB: in • Personalised learning – combinations • Good for generalists and specialists – may need to check entry requirements with HEIs • Course availability at SL and HL depending on school/college • Staffing – admissions staff need information relating to options and HE • Ability – choose combinations with care • German universities require particular subjects

3. IB: on • Switching and implications need guidance e.g. maths • Monitoring progress – communication/ICT systems/progress reports over range of subjects • Time management for staff and students: exams /assessments/personal statements/field courses • No time for work experience – holidays? • CAS develops WRL skills – not always perceived • CAS self evaluation links to personal statements • Careers education

4. IB: on careers education and guidance • Focus on skills of ‘career management’ rather than just university • self awareness, opportunity awareness, career planning • Lessons by careers and higher education adviser in first term ToK time • PSHE: most by CHEA, some by tutors e.g. skills analysis, personal statements, decision making, applications, finance • Optional additional workshops e.g. CVs, gap, HEI visitors • UCAS convention day at Reading University • Gifted/talented strategy : Oxbridge; early completion of extended essay • Links with CAS programme (WRL) and self evaluation • Careers and HE site on intranet – extensive links, world database, information + Fast Tomato (IB related), events • Full time guidance and reference co-ordinaton: CHEA • Part time US adviser: US guidance and preparation for SATs; SAT centre • Director of studies and admissions staff: constant liaison with CHEA • Destinations : circa 75% UK, 10% US, 15% Europe • ‘outstanding ’ ISI inspection, March 2008

5. IB: out • Workload – tests e.g. BMAT, UKCAT, LNAT, SAT • Number of staff from whom to gather references; timing of reference and predicted grades • Reference should include short school profile • Excellent new ‘Adviser Track’ – offers, responses • UCAS tariff – little used • HE perception and typical offers • Two results times – July (IB) and August (A level) • International acceptance – Canada and US offer credits • Transcripts • Re-sits up to two times – but no module re-sits • Students need to be aware of skills developed for employers and personal statements.... PLTS??

6. IB: outpersonal learning and thinking skills IB learner profile: • Inquirers • Knowledgeable • Thinkers • Communicators • Principled • Open-minded • Caring • Risk-takers • Balanced • Reflective QCA PLTS: • Team working • Independent enquiry • Self-management • Reflective learning • Effective participation • Creative thinking

7. Post scriptum: what do others say? • Reports and surveys that might further inform, analyse or give evidence about the IB http://www.ibicus.org.uk/moreabout.php • And it’s worth looking at the UCAS Expert Group report leading to and within the UCAS tariff pages: http://www.ucas.com/students/ucas_tariff/factsheet/ib.html