Pre IB - Haileybury

Pre IB1

Pre IB at HaileyburyHaileybury is one of the most experienced and successfulInternational Baccalaureate (IB) schools in the UK.For years the School has offered the IB Diploma and it remains a very popularqualification with our Sixth Form (Years 12 and 13) pupils.Our pre IB course is offered to those pupils joining Haileyburyin Fifths (Year 11) as the first year of a three year course.At the end of the pre IB year, pupils are awarded IGCSE qualifications.For the following two years of the Sixth Form (Years 12 and 13)at Haileybury, pupils study for the IB Diploma.This booklet outlines the curriculum for the pre IB year. Information aboutthe IB Diploma at Haileybury can be found on our website.2Pupils who take the pre IB course will: normally study 6 or 7 subjects to be examinedat IGCSE develop an understanding of the Englishlanguage to help in the study of IGCSEs andin preparation for the study of the IB Diploma enjoy the wider curriculum which is offered inand outside the classroom.All pupils taking the pre IB curriculum atHaileybury study English Language,Mathematics, a language, two sciences andeither Geography or History.The pre IB year is one of progression anddevelopment. Whilst it is a stepping stone tofurther study, it is crucial to remember that thesecourses are interesting in their own right. Theyalso present an excellent opportunity for pupilsto develop solid academic foundations uponwhich learning in the Sixth Form can be built.Key Point of ContactMr Stephen Campbell Deputy Head (Academic)Pupils will also have the chance to studyGerman or Italian as a first language. In additionto this, all pupils will benefit from an extensioncurriculum, which is based on the creative arts,performing arts and technology.As well as the timetabled curriculum, we offerextra curricular opportunities for all of ourpupils, which are second to none. Details ofthese extra curricular opportunities can befound on our website. All pre IB pupils havethe same extra curricular opportunities thatare enjoyed by their peers in Fifths.3

Pre IB subjectsPre IB curriculumWe believe that these courses provide the pupils with the very best preparation for study for the IB Diploma.1. The Core Curriculum is made up of thefollowing subjects. These subjects are examinedat the end of the year at IGCSE level: Mathematics English Language** Embedded in the English Language course willbe a component which will help pupils use andunderstand English for academic purposes.2. The Optional CurriculumThe subjects in the Optional Curriculum arealso examined at IGCSE level. They consist ofthe following: Biology, Chemistry or Physics (choose two) Geography or History (choose one) French, Latin or Spanish (choose one)3. Additional subjectsIn addition, pupils may study either Germanor Italian as a first language. German as a firstlanguage can be taken as an IGCSE.4. Extension curriculumWe believe in offering a broad curriculum tochallenge and interest our pupils. It is importantthat our pupils enjoy cultural pursuits andcontinue to engage with technology. Therefore,as part of their taught timetable pupils areoffered enrichment classes in Art, Music,Drama and Technology. These subjects willnot be examined at IGCSE level.It is importantthat our pupils enjoycultural pursuitsand continueto engagewith technology45. Academic TutorialEvery pupil at Haileybury has a pastoral Tutor.The Tutor is a member of the teaching staff.It is his or her responsibility to ensure theirtutees’ happiness and well-being. Every pre IBpupil will also be allocated an academic mentorin addition to their pastoral tutor. The pupilwill meet with his or her academic mentoronce a week in an Academic Tutorial. In thesetutorials pupils’ mentors will discuss with pupilsall aspects of their academic progress and willintroduce the pupil to certain aspects of the IBDiploma Core, which include: Theory of Knowledge The Extended Essay Creativity, Activity and ServicePupils learn todraw links acrossthe syllabus todevelop a synopticapproach toproblem solvingCoreEnglish Language and MathematicsOptional A ScienceBiology, Chemistry or Physics (choose two)Optional B HumanitiesGeography or History (choose one)Optional C LanguagesFrench, Latin or Spanish (choose one)AdditionalGerman or Italian language (choose one)Depending on pupils’ level and progress in asubject, this may not necessarily lead to anIGCSE qualification.5

Optional subjects AThe Core subjectsScience: Biology, Chemistry or PhysicsEnglish Language and MathematicsAll pre IB pupils must opt to take two Sciences.Mathematics IGCSEChemistry IGCSEPhysics IGCSE(Edexcel) Graded 9–1Mr Jocelyn Jennings Head of Maths(Edexcel) Graded 9–1Ms Felicity Isaac Head of Chemistry(Edexcel) Graded 9–1Mr Tim Reade Head of PhysicsThe syllabus aims to enable pupils to developtheir mathematical knowledge and skills. Theywill learn to apply Mathematics in everydaysituations and develop an understanding ofthe part that Mathematics plays in the worldaround them. They will be encouraged to applytheir mathematical skills in other areas ofthe curriculum.Pupils explore what the world around us is madeof, from the building blocks of atoms to how thefundamental particles of matter can be reactedand manipulated. Applications of Chemistryto industrial processes and the environmentprovide context to the theories covered bythe course. Pupils learn to draw links acrossthe syllabus to develop a synoptic approach toproblem solving. Experimental work is crucialin Chemistry and the development of practicalskills is a key part of the course.Pupils learn about a wide range of physicsconcepts and ideas, as well as some of theguiding principles that enable the accuratedescription and prediction of the universe.The language of Physics is Mathematics, thusmathematical and problem solving skills aredeveloped extensively here and applied to bothfamiliar and unfamiliar situations. The role ofPhysics is also emphasised in terms of its social,economic and environmental importance.The IGCSE course will provide a sound basis forfurther study of Mathematics, including HigherLevel IB Diploma Mathematics.Through studying the English Language IGCSEcourse, pupils develop core skills in reading andwriting. The course exposes pupils to a widerange of texts, including non-fictional writing,poetry and prose. Pupils learn how to read thesetexts and develop their analytical, evaluative and6(Edexcel) Graded 9–1Mr Gareth Lewis Head of BiologyPupils learn about the unifying patterns andthemes of biology. Knowledge and understandingof biological facts, concepts and principles areacquired, with the skills needed to use themin new and changing situations. Enjoyment ofand interest in the study of living organisms isdeveloped. Pupils evaluate, in terms of theirbiological knowledge and understanding, thebenefits and drawbacks of real-life applications ofscience, including their everyday, industrial andenvironmental aspects.English Language IGCSE(Edexcel) Graded 9–1Mr Fergus Hardy Head of EnglishBiology IGCSEinterpretative skills. They will also develop theirskills in the production of imaginative writing.Given that English is a core component of theIB Diploma, the course will be an invaluablefoundation for this qualification. As part of thepre IB course, pupils will be taught how best touse English in their other studies.Biology IGCSE provides an excellent foundationfor progression to the IB Diploma Sciences inthe Sixth Form. It exposes pupils to a variety ofproblem solving approaches, critical thinking andresearch skills which are transferable, not justinto the Sixth Form but to university, as well asacross a whole range of disciplines beyond thescientific ones.Chemistry IGCSE combines well with Biology.It should be taken by those hoping to studymedicine or the sciences at university.This subject would suit those pupils whoare mathematically minded, who wish topotentially study Physics at higher level inthe IB Diploma and those who hope to studyengineering at university.A variety of problem solvingapproaches, critical thinkingand research skills aretransferable, not just inSixth Form, but to universityand across a whole range ofdisciplines beyond7

Optional subjects BOptional subjects CGeography or HistoryLanguages: French, Latin, SpanishAll pre IB pupils must take one Humanities subject.All pre IB pupils must take one Language.Geography GCSEHistory IGCSEFrench IGCSESpanish IGCSE(AQA) Graded 9–1Mr William Sherrington-ScalesHead of Geography(Edexcel) Graded 9–1Mr Philip CravenHead of History(CIE) Graded 9–1Mr Willian Flint Cahan Acting Head of French(CIE) Graded 9–1Ms Maria Sanchez Head of SpanishThe emphasis of the course is on teaching pupilshow to speak French. Therefore, the course isbased on the linked language skills of listening,reading, speaking and writing. Through thecourse, it is hoped that the pupils gain a betterunderstanding of the culture of the countrieswhere French is spoken.The emphasis of the course is on teaching pupilshow to speak Spanish. Therefore, the course isbased on the linked language skills of listening,reading, speaking and writing. Through thecourse, it is hoped that the pupils gain a betterunderstanding of the culture of the countrieswhere Spanish is spoken.Pupils study a range of topics that explorecurrent themes relating to both physical andhuman geography; this includes the opportunityto learn about the likely impacts of climatechange, the challenges that our world faces as aresult of urbanisation, and issues relating to thedevelopment gap. Pupils will also develop theirgeographical skills by engaging in fieldwork,which offers a great opportunity to embracelearning outside of the classroom. This AQAGCSE is examined across 3 papers.Pupils learn howto research,reflect, evaluate,communicateand collaboratePupils investigate a broad, interesting rangeof topics from humanity’s past and considerthe long-lasting impact of our collectivehistory. Themes of democracy and dictatorshipare studied through the Soviet Union underJoseph Stalin and an investigation of life in EastGermany, 1958–90. Pupils evaluate technologicaland social change, including the discovery ofvaccines, through studying the developmentsin Medicine from 1848-1948, and finally, pupilsinvestigate the power of popular movementsthrough studying Civil Rights and other protestmovements in the USA from 1945–74. Pupilsgain critical analysis skills, investigating sourcesof information and considering their reliabilityor accuracy, and most importantly, the ability tocommunicate effectively and persuasively throughwritten explanations using precise evidence.History is a much-sought after qualificationfor pupils going on to study any course atuniversity. The communication skills it teachesare universal and hugely important for a pupils’academic development. This Edexcel IGCSE isexamined across 2 papers.8Pupils develop transferable skillsduring translation and literaryor historical analysis, applicableto any number of subjectsLanguages form an important component ofthe IB Diploma; studying French at IGCSE levelis excellent preparation for studying French atHigher Level or Standard Level.Latin IGCSE(CIE) Graded 9–1Dr Sam KoonCurriculum Leader: Language & CultureThe pupils learn to see patterns in Latin grammarand sentence structure, so the study of Latin isvery useful in helping pupils understand Englishas well as other modern languages. Pupils alsohave the opportunity to study some original Latinthrough exploring Virgil and Cicero.Languages form an important component ofthe IB Diploma; studying Spanish at IGCSE levelis excellent preparation for studying Spanish atHigher Level or Standard Level.Pupils develop a wide range of transferableskills, during both translation and literary orhistorical analysis, which are applicable to anynumber of subjects. As such, the course isexcellent preparation for a whole range of IBDiploma courses.9