A SHINFIELD school is celebrating its students’ accomplishments as their International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) scores were released.
Leighton Park’s 2023 cohort achieved an average number of points of 31.5, more than 1,25 points above this year’s worldwide average.
The score required to pass the IB is 24 points and the maximum score possible is 45 points.
Helen Taylor, head of Sixth Form, said: “I am especially proud of this year-group who are the first IB students to sit public examinations without any special considerations for the impact of Covid on their education.
“The disruption to their younger years, and particularly to their GCSE years, was significant and I am delighted that they have achieved such a strong set of results with each student able to recognise and to celebrate the significant academic progress they have made on their IB journey.”
Guilia returned to enjoy her success with her teachers and boarding house peers. She said: “I’m so happy right now, genuinely.”
The IB Diploma Programme is an alternative to A Levels which allows candidates to study a wider variety of subjects, with six selections available, at either higher or standard levels of study. Options range from visual arts to the sciences.
Additional compulsory units include community, activity, service (CAS) which ensures physical and mental well-being and inspires an enduring commitment to volunteering and community engagement.
Leighton Park offers the IB pathway to all of its students, with those who enjoy coursework and interdisciplinary projects often preferring it to traditional A Levels.
Alex Wallace, deputy head, said: “It’s interesting that both nationally and globally the IB results are down this year.
“I think the fact that ours are only 1.5 points lower than last year rather than the 1.68 point reduction in the UK average or 1.74 global average drop is a testament to the commitment of our students and to the dedication of their teachers in working so well together.”