Gcse school or IB school?

[indecisivewoman81]

Wonder what other people's opinions and experiences have been?

Next week we find out what secondary school my DC has got into (we have 2 first choices as one is a brand new school). Only thing is one of the schools is only teaching the international Baccalaureate. I have no experience of this and worry that if my DC was to not pass the IB they would potentially leave school with no qualifications.

For background: DC is creative, and sporty but not particularly academic and diagnosed dyslexic

What have other peoples experiences been please?

I don't really understand. The IB Diploma is equivalent to A-levels, rather than GCSEs. Are you saying that they only do the IB MYP for younger pupils?

The IB Diploma is really aimed at kids who are quite academic, so if this isn't the route that your dd looks likely to follow in the sixth form, I'd look at alternatives to the MYP personally.

Very few UK schools offer IB before sixth form, the diploma is instead of A levels rather than in lieu of gcses/igcses,

This is a brand new school offering the MYP only

Not sure I'd buy into that. It takes time to build up the expertise to deliver IB well and achieve results. MYP is not a standalone qualification and is not recognised as Level 2 gcse equivalent for employment and ongoing study. I think you still need gcses.

That's what I was afraid of...

Brand new school all exciting etc, can't look around or meet in person to do Q&A because of covid etc.

But only offering the MYP

I'm a massive fan of the IB, but only for certain types of kids. It wouldn't suit everyone.

I don't know that much about MYP, but I think the only real benefit of that is that it leads towards the diploma. I'd be very wary of it as a standalone thing, especially in a new school with no track record of supporting kids to progress beyond the MYP.

In light of what you've said about your dd, I'd be inclined to go with the other school.

I really appreciate your honesty thank you. I can definitely see some advantages of the IB but worry that it won't suit my DC and what their opportunities will be when they leave

My DD did IB diploma after GCSEs and had absolutely no regrets. But it was a very bright cohort, so I don't know how likely it is that a student might come away with no qualification at all aged 18. Is the school offering CP (career programme) as well as DP? If so, I would be tempted to go for it. MYP seems a much better use of time than GCSEs in terms of skills and values taught, if the lack of age 16 qualifications doesn't come back to bite you. (No first hand experience - but I love the IB philosophy). If no CP, I'd talk to a normal sixth form college local to you about the hypothetical case your DC might be in at 16, of having no GCSEs and wanting to do BTECs or T levels or A levels. Would there be any problems? I can't imagine there would be, as many colleges take international students who haven't done major exams yet - and for unis, lack of GCSEs is again a normal thing for international applicants, so don't imagine it would phase them. But best check with people who know.

Sorry, I think I'm talking rubbish. For future jobs, you would have to prove your level of English and maths. Are you sure your MYP school wouldn't offer GCSE in those two subjects, for students who weren't staying on for sixth form?