East Kent options for DD and suggestions for IB or A'Level pls

[IBorAlevels]

I have been looking at options for DD who is predicted 10 GCSE at 7+ with a couple of 9's. She is currently interested in many subjects and this is why I am interested in knowing more about the IB and how it compares as everything online suggests similar to A Levels but just more breadth of learning and perhaps better critical thinking?

Bearing that in mind, we are in East Kent but DD doesn't want to stay at her current school, which only does A Levels anyway. When I look at leading IB schools Worthgate in Canterbury comes up. Has anyone got experience of this school; is it open to UK nationals as it looks like an international school? Or does anyone have other suggestions for us?

Thanks in advance.

I can’t comment on the schools, but my ds took the IB diploma and it is a demanding programme as its six subjects, extended essay, theory of knowledge and then the volunteering aspect on top. It suits students who are talented all rounders and who are prepared to work consistently for two years- the IB does not suit students who coast and cram! Every subject has a course work element which adds to the workload. My Dd took four a levels and her workload was definitely lighter that her brother’s although as she did maths and further maths there was some overlap.
Positives:
continuing with a foreign language is great imo
you have to be very disciplined and well organised which is great preparation for university
more emphasis on critical thinking

As a state option, Dane Court does IB.

It’s a very expensive programme to run so you may find that a school does not offer all the subjects your Dd wants to take of that some subjects are offered online only. Eg when my ds took the IB his school only offered psychology as an on line course.

That's the grammar school in Broadstairs, which I should probably have mentioned. It has a good reputation, and normally gets several kids into Oxbridge.

This is partly why I was also looking at Worthgate as it seems to have a few options for subjects - DD has mentioned politics a few times, which as an A Level is hard to find but does seem to be there for IB.

I will look into Dane Court, thanks. I think most 6th forms require a 6+ for most subjects for A Levels. Is that the same for IB? I've really not got much of an idea how they guide students as to whether IB or A Levels are the right way for them or if there is a requirement of GCSEs?

Still in Thanet, I know they do Politics A level at CCGS. They also do btec, which could be an option if your DD is struggling to get 6s (I couldn't tell from your post if this was the case). A number of pupils mix and match btecs and A levels.

The government recently announced it’s removing the additional funding required to run the IB in state schools from this September - which i think is very short sighted. If these are state schools you need to check they are still running the programme as there are a lot more teaching hours than A-Level.

Sorry, she is predicted a mix of 10 mainly 7's and 8's at GCSE with a couple of 9's if she gets her arse into gear, so not sure a BTEC would be right for her. She's keen on going to Uni.

It feels like the area is a bit stuck in churning out A Level's rather than investing in more IB options? Do we pick a high achieving school for A Levels or think outside the box a bit for an IB option a bit further away? How far away by train every day would be reasonable? Wondering if it's worth looking at North Kent options?

Yes I have literally just seen Tonbridge Grammar is having to axe it's IB offering because of this! So even less options, even up there!

My local IB college requires 8 GCSEs at grade 6 or above including English and Maths with grade 7 required for some languages and sciences. Based on ds’s experience I think a grade 8 is advisable for higher level science and maths.

Check that schools will be offering the IB as the government are removing the top up funding that covered extra teaching hours.

OP is there a reason you want IB?

From what u know it's much more intensive work but it's not really going to change her prospects? Once you have a degree I'm not sure people pay much attention to what you did before.

I understand if she wants to go to uni abroad but wouldn't think it's worth it otherwise?

Btec’s are not inferior. My DS did a combination of A Levels and Btec’s and is doing a degree apprenticeship at a blue chip tech company. He also got a place in every russell group university that he applied for.

I don't suppose you are in the Kent area are you?

I think it is sounding like a good idea for DD - she's into STEM, doing triple science, computer science and higher maths. She may be less keen to continue with French, however.

OK, her current school literally only offers A Levels so I have no idea about BTECS or IB really. I thought BTECS were mostly for trades and vocational courses that meant they could go straight to employment, sorry!

Not Kent sorry.
To be blunt if she’s not keen on continuing with a language then I would avoid the IB. My Dd took A levels: Maths, Chemistry, Further Maths and Biology and would have hated having to continue with any MFL or literature course. She is now studying natural sciences. My ds found languages easier and although his IB higher levels were all STEM subjects he found German easy and was happy to continue with it and worked in Austria in the summer when he was at university.

Thank you for this. She loves English but tolerates French. She also loves to travel and would definitely do a degree abroad, but not in a native language. I do think that would swing it for her though as dropping French is probably the light at the end of the GCSE tunnel as it is her lowest scoring subject and she is a bit scared of her teacher!

Yes as a pp says Btecs are accepted by most universities (not COWI as a rule tbf) so not just for learning a trade. I guess Btecs might be a goid alternative if the continuous assessment of IB appealed.

Yes if she is not keen on MFL or indeed humanities post 16 then IB is not a good fit tbh.

OK that is good to know - although makes it more of a minefield to pick!

She does enjoy humanities too, this is the issue because she likes such a varied amount of subjects I thought the IB could be a better fit as A Levels are quite formulaic in the BSc route or BA for eg. She likes (in order of preference) History, English, Computer Science and the Sciences plus very interested in Psychology and Philosophy but not had a chance to try those at her current school. Would do fine at Maths but not got a burning desire to do it as a subject at Uni, likewise with Physics and Theology.

I think I am trying to think outside the box a bit more than the area has options for perhaps. I just did 3 A Levels and went to Uni, so it was clear cut but also am aware of how limiting that was.

if she is not keen on Maths and French the IB route is not the best pathway. There is nothing to stop her doing 4 A Levels or A level/Btec combined in the subjects you say she really enjoys. All 6th forms encourage EPQ these days plus opportunities such as D of E to broaden her offering if she wishes. Universities sometimes ask for higher UCAS points too as for some subjects it doesn’t go into such depth at A Level. It is a great program though my DS is doing MYP and it is sad that his school may not be able to afford to offer it.

Given that in East Kent we have the option of btec, A level/btec mix, A levels, and IB I don't think we're poorly served for post 16 academic options (don't know about the more practical courses)... and that's without going private.

My DD did the IB, it is a lot of work but since starting university can really see the benefits. Her course didn’t require A level maths but she feels at an advantage having done it at IB. It does require good organisation skills. Her school was an IB school so I don’t know how it compare with A levels as were at in Scotland.
Languages weren’t her strong point so she studied beginners Spanish and got through it. My DD struggled with GCSE maths but enjoyed IB.
I think it prepares students well for university .

So are there other IB schools that aren't private in East Kent? I am really struggling to get much information or which BTECs would be good for DD if she wants to do something other than 4 A Levels, for example?

Given @Doublethecuddles child wasn't hugely keen on Maths ay and could do a less intense language option, I imagine DD would also be able with a 7 or 8 in Maths and French at GCSE? Or do you have to get all 8 and 9's at GCSE to do an IB?

Kent College in Canterbury does the IB

Yes, I saw this and was trying to compare it to the Worthgate for results and cost and checking my finances but I think it would push me too tight on funds to be able to do it. Do you know any state options that do it or, as seems to be the case, are they not 100% sure if they can continue now funding has been pulled by central government? It seems a bit of a limbo year