IB / A Levels

[DolphinSE18]

Apologies if there is an existing thread already discussing the IB.

Originally, when we were looking at sixth form colleges in autumn last year my son seemed OK with the thought of the IB even though he was quite keen to ditch Maths and English but he seems less interested now and prefers the thought of studying for A Levels, I think partly due to GCSE exam fatigue.
If he took the IB, he would take Maths and English at lower level anyway but does anyone have experience with their child at how difficult the Maths syllabus is? If anyone has any feedback or experience of their child studying the IB generally I’d love to know your opinion and how their child found it?
Thank you

Any advice would appreciated.

I should mention that my son doesn’t really want to go onto uni after sixth form but would prefer an apprenticeship (I’m not sure if there’s any difference between IB and ALs for uni/apprenticeships though).

Why would you prefer IB to A levels if taking the apprenticeship route? Does the college you are considering only offer IB? You could post in further or higher education too but as you know IB is considered harder than A levels and better for all rounders not wanting medicine etc plus universities have less understanding etc.

You are spread much more thinly doing the IB - I did it 30 years ago. There was a maths studies option for those not great at maths - more statistics based which despite an A at gcse I was recommended to do. I did well in that. You don't say much about his ability. But hopefully he will make the right choice

I thought that the IB was more if you had plans to study abroad as it is accepted internationally and A levels are more typical.
I think that it is a bit harder and suits an all rounder- perhaps it would be better to look into apprenticeships and see what they require and what the ideal qualifications would be for entry.

Hi.

DD is planning to do the IB next year. She hasn't started yet, so can't answer your questions about how hard the Maths is I'm afraid. She (and therefore I!) has spent quite lot of time considering IB vs A Levels though and has made an active choice to do it.

It sounds like a great course for all-rounders who want to study a range of subjects, are motivated and interested in learning lots of things and/or want to work/study abroad. But it does sound like a lot of work and therefore something to actively choose rather than feel OK about. Our local college offers IB and A levels, so people choose which they want to do and it's widely accepted among the kids that the IB kids as a group work harder than the A Level kids.

Is your son planning to do it because that's the option at the 6th form he wants to attend?

Thank you everyone for your advice.
We have two sixth forms near us, one offers the IB and the other one offers A Levels. Both seem like good places to study and I think my son could do well with the IB because he seems to be a good all rounder and he has kept on top of his GCSEs with regards to homework and general planning (a teacher at his current school said the IB isn’t probably the best bet for pupils who struggle to keep on top of different GCSE subjects). But I think he’s enjoyed finishing his exams and thinking ‘no more maths again’ or ‘no more French again’ but I think that could just be end of GCSE relief really.

IB is a good option for all rounders who want to keep their options open. SL is roughly AS level, HL is roughly A level but obviously not a direct correlation. I wish it was a more commonly available option for British 16-18 year olds
as it’s a more rounded course than just 3 subjects for A level.