A FORWARD THINKING CURRICULUM
Already offering A levels and the IB for sixth form students, Stonyhurst College has added the IBCP to its impressive portfolio of options, writes Emma Brereton
The long established and well respected independent school Stonyhurst College in Clitheroe, has held IB World School status since 2012, and has offered the International Baccalaureate Diploma to its pupils since 2013.
Following the success of this educational route, the school has decided to launch the International Baccalaureate Career related programme from September 2018 – quite fitting since the International Baccalaureate Organisation is about to celebrate its 50th birthday this year.
The majority of the College teachers are involved in delivering the course, but the IB programmes are led by Mrs Deborah Kirkby who is a firm believer in the wealth of global opportunities the programmes bring. She said: “At Stonyhurst we design a programme of study for each individual child based on their aptitudes and aspirations.
“A-Levels continue to have an essential place in our Sixth Form provision, but we think it is important to offer a real choice for our pupils. By offering a further two routes through the International Baccalaureate programmes, we are giving them the best choice of foundations before they join the professional world.”
“Where the IB is different, is that it opens up the world to our pupils. Students who attend Stonyhurst are not just considering companies or universities in the UK when they leave. Having an IBDP or IBCP under their belt gives a qualification with international credibility as the IB Diploma is currently offered in more than 130 countries across the globe.”
The International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) states that the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBDP) is recognised and respected by the world’s leading universities, and evidence suggests that the skills developed in the Diploma mean that students thrive in Higher Education.
Its International Baccalaureate Career Related Programme (IBCP) is a framework of international education addressing the needs of students engaged in career-related education. It leads to further/higher education apprenticeships or employment and both programmes are suitable for pupils aged 16 – 19.
The IBCP is new to the IBO, enjoying great success since it started in 2012 and the school is very pleased to be part of a growing group of educational establishments offering it. “The IBCP is aimed at pupils who are already passionate about pursuing a particular career,” says Deborah.
“Initially we will be offering career related studies in Sport and Business which will allow students to delve deeper into their chosen field with the intention to join the workplace at age 18, or take a more traditional route at university.”
The IBCP is unique, however, in that IBCP students will also study two related academic subjects, chosen from the suite of Diploma courses, together with an IBCP Core designed to develop employment related skills.”
With exceptional sport facilities, pupils who take on the IBCP sport related option can expect to study in one of the best environments in the country. “One of the reasons we are launching the IBCP for sport is because we can give access to a fantastic range of facilities, including a brand new gym with state of the art equipment as well as indoor tennis courts,” says Deborah.
“Many of our parents are entrepreneurs themselves so offering a business related programme in addition to the sport option has also been very attractive to our current Year 11 pupils and their families.”
“We have a range of scholarships available, including sports scholarships and we’re looking forward to meeting young people with particular gifts who would benefit from other opportunities available at Stonyhurst College.”
The school also has proven success in the IB Diploma which encompasses six academic subjects, designed to produce highly-educated all-rounders who embrace social responsibility, intercultural awareness, and a duty to local and global communities to make an increasingly complex world a better place.
The school is recruiting for the IB Careers related programme as well as the Diploma for 2018 and has already had interest from pupils and parents looking for programmes that suit the changing nature of the workplace. Stonyhurst boasts a very welcoming community and pupils are bonded together through lots of sporting and extracurricular activities.
“The IBCP is a unique qualification for the 21st century. It’s intended to create global citizens, to empower students with the skills and knowledge that they can apply anywhere in the world, for jobs that maybe don’t even exist yet. We like to think of our pupils as agents of change and we are very excited about this new chapter for our school.”
Stonyhurst College
Clitheroe
Lancashire BB7 9PZ
01254 826345
www.stonyhurst.ac.uk
