Sidcot School’s International Baccalaureate (IB) students are celebrating as they achieve outstanding scores again this year.
The ethos of the IB, with its broad curriculum and emphasis on study skills, community service and internationalism fits well with Sidcot’s Quaker values. Students study six subjects: three at higher level and three at standard level, with the organisation of subject choices ensuring that they maintain a breadth of study across English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Languages and Arts.
Sidcot’s top performer this year was Mihails Svarevskis, who scored 43 out of a possible 45, which is among the top 3 percent of IB students worldwide and equates to more than 3 A*s at A level. He leaves Sidcot with an offer to study History, Politics and Economics at University College London. Speaking of his experience, Mihails said:
I chose the IB because I was never sure of what I was going to do professionally or academically, and the IB provided a perfect opportunity to explore a range of academic fields, which allowed me to eventually make a more informed choice as to what I wanted to study at University. The program itself, coupled with teachers willing to give both purely academic and personal support, such as dedicating time to help each student with their coursework or providing emotional support whenever a friend rather than a teacher (in the word’s traditional sense) was needed, creates a perfect environment for those who desire learning and knowledge, yet are not quite sure what it is exactly they want to learn and know. Even more importantly, the fact that both stressful and joyful times that are a byproduct of the IB were shared between our group forged strong connections between the students in our year that eventually evolved into meaningful friendships. Studying the IB was a time rich with experiences, emotions, and, both literally and figuratively, important lessons.
Sidcot’s average score was an impressive 33 points, significantly above the international average score. Commenting on the IB results, Iain Kilpatrick, Head, said:
“IB is a rigorous programme of study that requires a breadth of knowledge across a number of subjects. In addition, students are required to link their learning and apply it in a range of contexts. The international scope of the course really encourages a global perspective and I am sure our students will benefit from this in the next stage of their educational journey – we wish them all the very best of luck!”
Sidcot students have continued to excel in this challenging Diploma course with consistent world-class scores in recent years.
In 2022, Fiona from Burnham-on-Sea scored 41/45. In 2021, Chiara, a boarding student from South Africa, achieved 44/45 points, as did Jeanne, a boarding student from France in 2020. In 2019 Nina, a local student from Burrington, gained the maximum points of 45/45 – all exceptional performances.
Thomas Weidner, IB Coordinator comments:
“The aim of the IB is to form well-rounded and responsible citizens of the future. The holistic approach of the Diploma Programme ensures that teachers and students embark on this learning path together and learn from each other. I am extremely proud of our students’ hard work and commitment and the successes they have been able to achieve.”
If you would like to discuss whether the International Baccalaureate may be a good option for you, or your child, contact the Admissions team for more information on admissions@sidcot.org.uk or 01934 845212. The School is open all through the holidays with places still available for September.