i know there are teachers on here

[debster]

so could you explain to me the international bacaalaureatte (?sp) my step daughter has been accepted on this course after successfully passing her gcse's.
what is this course and why not a levels? i know she sat her gcse's at the lower level is this why does this make a difference do the grades from a lower level gcse mean the same as the grades from the standard ones and if so how is this so.
sorry for being so thick but this is all so new to me, my daughter did gcse's then a levels which i understand would just like to know what it all is
thanks
debs

[debster]

[lolabelle]

I'm not a teach but this site may answer your questions

http://www.ibo.org/

[caroline7758]

A lot of private schools are introducing the IB. I think it offers a broader range of subjects than traditional A-levels, and the universities seem to like it! I had the impression it was usually the more able rather than less able students who were offered it, but I may be wrong.

You might be interested in this article

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/main.jhtml?xml=/education/2007/11/10/fabac110.xml

[SamLouise]

International Baccalaureate: what it is

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme is an internationally recognised qualification for students aged 16 to 19. It is based around detailed academic study of a wide range of subjects, including languages, the arts, science, maths, history and geography.

It leads to a single qualification, rather than separate qualifications for individual subjects. However if you don't achieve the full diploma, you'll be awarded a certificate for each subject taken.

It's available in more than 70 schools and colleges in the UK, both state and independent, and can be taken in English, French or Spanish. It's designed to encourage you to:

Learn how to learn
Ask challenging questions
Develop a strong sense of your own identity and culture
Develop the ability to communicate with and understand people from other countries and cultures
The IB Diploma Programme is at level 3 on the National Qualifications Framework. The framework shows how different types of qualifications compare, in terms of the demands they place on learners.

Lots more info on what to expect on such a course can be found here:  http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/QualificationsExplained/DG_10039027

[grawrc]

My brother works in the school that started it up: Ecole internationale de Geneve. I think you'll find it is an excellent qualification that provides breadth as well as depth and also ensures service to others and theory of knowledge as part of the course. I would go for it. It's not the narrow specialisation that happens at senior levels in the UK and elsewhere but a broad based and in depth education.
Wish my kids could have done it.

[valmarg]

In other words, it is going back to the old School Certificate which preceded GCEs.

valmarg

[debster]

and after you all spent time explaining it to me what is she gonna do, Alevels lol  ;D

[valmarg]

debster, your guess is as good as mine.

I think 'target driven' items, whether they be education, NHS, or any other public service are wrong.

valmarg