International
Baccalaureate
Programme of Study
Eltham Hill School
Eltham, LondonSE9 5EE
Phone: 0208 859 2843 Fax: 0203 247 0201
E-Mail: [email protected] or [email protected]
Web: www.elthamhill-greenwich.com
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Eltham Hill International Baccalaureate Program me
Why study the International Baccalaureate?
The IB Diploma Programme, for students aged 16 to19, is an academically challenging
and balanced programme of education that prepares students for success at university
and in life beyond.
Study 6
exciting and
dynamic
courses.
Complete an
Extended
Essay on
something
intriguing.
Take part in a
Community
Action
Service
project.
IB students are internationally aware citizens, with open minds and open hearts.
Students are taught to think for themselves and to drive the learning process. Teachers
like that; students thrive on it.
All IB students learn a second language, together with the skills to live and work with
others both locally and internationally. But this international perspective is not gained at
the expense of their own language or culture. Indeed, we believe that the only way to
appreciate another language or culture is to be confident first with your own.
Results are important on the IB, but the best results are attained by allowing students to
develop their learning and to engage in the Curriculum. IB students are at the centre of
our programmes.
Most of all, we see education as a way of life and living. The IB is about creating a
community of learners and improving professionalism within that community. We want
the IB culture to spread throughout the school, encouraging the independent, caring,
nurturing, altruistic qualities found in the very best students at Eltham Hill.
Eltham Hill International Baccalaureate Program me
The Course
Group 1 – Language
(English Literature)
Group 2 – Second Language
(French, German, Spanish,
Mandarin or Italian)
Group 3 – Individuals and
societies (History,
Geography or Psychology)
Group 4 – Experimental
Sciences (Biology,
Chemistry or Physics)
Group 5 – Maths and
Computer Sciences (Maths
at the present time)
Group 6 – The Arts (Theatre
Studies or Visual Arts)
You will have to select three subjects to complete at Higher
Level and three subjects to complete at Standard Level. Higher
Level means that you will study in more depth than Standard
Level.
(* Please note that you do not have to take Theatre Studies in
Group 6 – you can substitute another subject from another
group)
Core requirements for this course:
 An ability to work independently on longer
assignments/projects
 An enjoyment of tasks that involve high challenge and
creativity
 An ability to research topics in depth
 An enthusiasm for exploring, evaluating and questioning
 A minimum of 5 GCSE A*-C including English and Maths
(A*/A/B for Higher Level elements and B/C for Standard
Level)
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Eltham Hill International Baccalaureate Program me
Group 1 – English Literature
Literature is concerned with humanity’s conceptions, interpretations and
experiences of the world and has existed in opal and literate forms in every
culture. By studying literature we are able to enter into an exciting ongoing and
ever-changing
conversation.
It
provides
opportunities
for
encou raging
independent, original and critical thinking. The course will focus this expression,
analysis and critical thinking around the guiding title: “Nothing human is foreign
to me.”
Students will read a variety of texts that reveal differing cultural view points
and influences. Students will study texts ranging from Shakespeare’s ‘King Lear’
and Sylvia Plath’s poetry to Arthur Miller ‘Death of a Salesman’ and Bernard
Schlink’s ‘The Reader’ (amongst many other inspiring authors). Students will be
able to discover international perspectives on life and find shared ideas/
experiences. Assessment is through a written coursework assignment, an oral
presentation, an oral commentary and two written examinations.
Please contact Mrs Osborne for further details:
[email protected]
Group 2 – French, German, Spanish, Mandarin or Italian
The IB recognises the important role of languages in the world by insisting
that students take at least one foreign language.
It is essential tha t all IB
students develop a command of more than one language and learn to think
internationally.
Students will cover topics including Communication and the
Media, Global Issues and Cultural Diversity, and Health, Leisure, Science and
Technology. They will be developing their written and verbal communications skills
and learn to communicate in a fluent confident manner.



Standard level is intended for students who want to achieve a good standard of
written and spoken French or German beyond GCSE level. Stud ents should have
had two to five years of successful experience of learning French or German.
Higher level is for students who wish to focus on French or German as a major
influence in their lives, perhaps at university or in a future career. Students
should have had four to five years’ successful experience of learning French or
German.
The ab initio course is designed to enable students to start learning a new
language from scratch. The aim of the course is to prepare them to use the
language in a range of everyday situations and contexts. They will also learn
about the culture of the country where the language is spoken.
Assessment is through a written coursework assignment,
interactive oral activity and two written examinations.
an
individual
and
Students are invited to take part in an exchange program me to either France or
Germany during Year 12 to immerse themselves into the language and culture of
their chosen language.
Please contact Ms McDermott for further details:
[email protected]
Eltham Hill International Baccalaureate Program me
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Group 3 – History
This is an exciting course designed to cover social and political history over
the past two hundred years allowing students to have an understanding of how
British and World history has a direct influence on the way we live today – our
struggles and triumphs.
Students will examine the origins and development of authoritarian and
single party states.
In contrast students also examine the challenges and
responses to dictatorships from democratic countries around the world.
T hese
options concentrate on the themes of nationalism and conflict around the
beginning of the 19thcentury, with particular emphasis on both how and why ideas
about nationhood emerged and developed in particular states and how, in some
cases,
nationalist
ideas
provided
the
stimulus
for
the
development
of
authoritarian, totalitarian or fascist regimes. There is a focus unit on the Arab Israeli conflict, which is definitely a current topic in today’s uncertain political
climate in the region today.
Higher-level students also examine how and why conflicts and crises emerged
and were resolved in the United States in the 20th century. Assessment is through
an internal investigation into a topic that students have a keen interest in
historically and via two external exams (three if history is taken at Higher Level).
Please contact Ms Knowles for further details:
[email protected]
Group 3 – Psychology
This is a fascinating subject, which covers memory, psychological patterns and
influences on behavior. The course covers both the science of Psychology and also
research methods and sociocultural psychology. Students will develop their
independent learning skills, problem solving and evaluative skills in this course.
The course covers a wide range of topics, including biological psychology,
cognitive psychology, sociocultural psychology. In the second part of the course,
the topics include health psychology and abnormal psychology. In the third part of
the course, the topics include qualitative research methods in psychology,
including those used within investigations.
If you are interested in this course, you need to be interested in the human mind
and behaviours. You should be prepared to be an independent learner, wishing to
research and interpret data and learn about the patterns of behavior within
humans. Assessment for this course is 20% coursework and 80% final exam.
For more information, please contact Ms Olaleye:
[email protected]
Eltham Hill International Baccalaureate Program me
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Group 3 – Geography
This is an exciting course, which covers a range of topics. These topics include a
core topic of environmental sustainability, population, development and
consumption of resources. This is followed by option topics: food and health,
water and environmental extremes. The Higher covers all three topics and an
additional paper on global issues and the Standard course is two. This leads to a
final set of three exam papers. The first paper covers the core topics and the
second paper covers the options. The third paper is a paper where students write
two essays. If you would like to do this course, you should have an interest in both
human and physical Geography. You should want to explore the world, including
collecting data, researching and analysing information collected. You will also be
expected to take part in fieldwork to support your studies with an exciting trip to
collect data.
If you would like further information on this course, please contact Mrs Osborne:
[email protected]
.
Group 4 – Biology, Chemistry or Physics
Biology is the study of living organisms and how they interact with each
other and their environment.
Knowledge of biology is fundamental to our
understanding of the complexity of the world around us and informs many o f the
decisions we make.
Four basic biological concepts run through the course:
Structure and Function; Universality versus Diversity; Equilibrium within systems;
and Evolution.
Chemistry is an experimental science that combines academic study with the
acquisition of practical and investigational skills. It is often called the central
science as chemical principles underpin both the physical environment in which we
live and all biological systems. It has a crucial role to play in the sustainability of
the planet and the future of its citizens. The course is taught in a range of ‘real
life’ contexts such as developing fuels or what is in a medicine.
In both Science subjects, theory is taught alongside practical work, which is
essential for a thorough understanding of each specialism.
The department has
state of the art laboratories to develop this practical element.
Please contact Ms Smethurst for further Biology or Chemistry details:
[email protected]
Eltham Hill International Baccalaureate Program me
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Group 5 - Mathematics
All students have to do Mathematics in the IB Diploma, either at Standard
Level or Mathematical Studies.
The Standard Level course is intended for student s with a strong
mathematical background wishing to support students wishing to continue their
careers with mathematical elements – for example economics at university.
The Mathematical Studies looks at a range of mathematical topics that affect
all our lives and focuses on the practical applications of mathematics. It aims to
equip students with some of the skills necessary to cope with the demands of a
technological society.
Both courses use a significant amount of technology and students will be
taught how to use the technology and evaluate its usefulness. Communication is
very important in mathematics and so the courses aim to produce students who are
confident in communicating using mathematical symbols and in English.
Topics covered in both courses are extensive but include common themes on
statistics, logarithms, functions, quadratics and equation work to name a few. A
thorough breakdown of skills and topics can be requested from Mrs Taylor.
Assessment is through two external exams and an internal project.
Please contact Mrs Taylor for further details:
[email protected]
Group 6 – Theatre Studies
The Theatre Arts programme is an exciting and dynamic course that
incorporates theory work behind the production of a play or theatre piece and
practical elements surrounding performance of plays. Students will work on plays
and theatre pieces from around the world and through time. Topics covered range
from Dante and Samuel Beckett to Ancient Greek works and African folk tales to
modern works by Sarah Kane and Debbie Tucker.
Students complete an independent project wh ere they perform, reflect and
explore roles in the theatre – for example actor, director, dramaturg and
scriptwriter. This forms part of their assessment where they stage a 30-minute
performance; complete a portfolio of evidence and a research essay into an area of
theatre that inspires them.
Please contact Ms Whittington for further details:
[email protected]
Eltham Hill International Baccalaureate Program me
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Group 6 – Visual Arts
The Visual Art subject is designed to match the interests of students on the
course. Students are expected to develop their practical skills over the two year
and also they will conduct investigations into differe nt pieces of art. There will be
a mixture of written and practical assessment on this course. If you would like to
do this course, you need to be creative, flexible and be open to exploring art from
a range of artists You will also need to be highly motivated and independent for
this course. Students will be expected to produce an exhibition of studio work and
a record of their work over time. The record book is worth 40% of the course and
the studio work itself is worth 60% of the overall mark. Students will be given the
opportunity to visit a range of galleries and exhibitions to build their knowledge of
different artworks over the two years.
Please contact Mrs Osborne for further details of this course:
[email protected]
Eltham Hill International Baccalaureate Program me
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Extended Essay (EE)
This offers students the exciting prospect of investigating a topic of special
interest to them.
The Extended Essay is an in-depth study of a limited topic
chosen from one of your subjects on the IB Diploma programme. Emphasis is placed
on the development in skills of organization and expression of coherent and logical
ideas. Students will be personally supervised by a dedicated tutor and supported
by the librarian. The Extended Essay is externally assessed and points are awarded
together with the Theory of Knowledge oral presentation and essay.
The experience of writing this essay will benefit students both academically
and intellectually. Students will gain confidence in terms of the substantial piece
of individual work achieved and become acquainted with the process of research
and information processing – all key skills expected at university or in the business
world.
Please contact Mrs Osborne for further details:
[email protected]
Creativity Action Service (CAS)
The Community Action Service encourages students to be involved in creative
pursuits, physical activities and community projects at local, national and
international levels.
Students will work towards gaining the Duke of Edinburgh
Award at Bronze, Silver or Gold Level.
The IB curriculum offers a complete ed ucational programme in which the
experiential parts of the curriculum are of comparable importance to the
traditional academic subjects. CAS has the same status as each of the six academic
subjects required for the IB Diploma, the Extended Essay and Theor y of Knowledge.
The philosophy behind completing CAS is that some essential aspects of education
sometimes take place outside the classroom or examination hall and in the ‘real
world’ – experiencing first hand ‘life’ lessons.
Assessment for CAS is through self-evaluation, followed by peer and teacher
evaluation of your involvement in a series of projects.
The projects are wide
ranging and cover sports and expeditions to Arts projects and Charity involvement
to working with Amnesty International and the E co-Schools Initiative.
Please contact Ms Smethurst for further details:
[email protected]
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Eltham Hill International Baccalaureate Program me
Theory of Knowledge (TOK)
The Theory of Knowledge course is designed to develop a coherent approach
to learning across all academic areas and encourages appreciation of other cultural
perspectives. It is the ‘glue’ that binds the Diploma together. Run in seminars
students are expected to contribute to class discussions, reflecting on what it
means to know something – for example ‘What makes a great piece of art?’ ‘To
what extent am I influenced by my culture?’ to ‘How can I know what is right?’
In TOK there may not be a right or wrong answer but it will ask students to
develop an awareness of how knowledge is constructed, evaluated and renew ed by
societies and individuals. Students learning experiences will focus on real and very
topical issues and students will be encouraged to develop their presentation and
group work skills.
Students will receive on-going feedback from the TOK Coordinator and a
dedicated tutor before completing an internally assessed oral presentation (which
will be research and presented by groups of two to three students) and an
externally assessed TOK essay from a choice of themes.
Please contact Ms Ferguson for further details:
[email protected]
Assessment
There are a maximum of 7 points awarded for each of the six
study groups and up to three bonus points for the EE and the
TOK.
All the core requirements must be met for a Diploma
Pass.
Using the chart to the right you can see how the IB
Diploma is converted into UCAS points for applying to
universities. Please refer to www.ucas.com for further details
about the comparison between GCE and IB qualifications.
IB Diploma
points
45
40
35
30
25
UCAS Tariff
720
611
501
392
282
Any questions?
Please feel free to contact members of staff directly if you have any subject
specific
questions.
Alternatively
you
may
contact:
Mrs
Osborne
([email protected] )
or
Mr
MacFadyen
([email protected]) for more general enquiries about the
course.
We look forward to hearing from you and hopefully seeing many of you in the new
academic year.