International
Baccalaureate
Organisation
Why IB? The mission…
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The International Baccalaureate
Organization aims to develop inquiring,
knowledgeable and caring young people
who help to create a better and more
peaceful world through intercultural
understanding and respect.
…… encourage students across the
world to become active, compassionate
and lifelong learners who understand
that other people, with their differences
can also be right.
They are endeavouring to achieve some
of these goals through the introduction
of the Learner profile.
At Bangkok Patana we
want….
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….our students to be resourceful and
creative, know their own and others’
worth and operate as independent,
confident learners.
….to provide an environment where
everyone:
….Is encouraged to develop lively,
positive and enquiring minds……
….learns to value their own cultures and
shows understanding and respect for the
cultures of others and especially that of
our host country, Thailand.
This ties in with the Bangkok Patana
Mission statement and ‘Our values’.
The Programme
group 1 language A1
group 3
individuals
and societies
group2
second
language
Extended essay
Theory of
Knowledge
creativity,
action, service
group 5
mathematics
and
computer
science
group 4
experimental
sciences
group 6 the arts
Requirements for
Diploma
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3 Higher Levels (not more than 4)
3 Standard Levels
CAS
TOK
combines with the Extended essay to give
up to 3 bonus points towards the final points score.
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Extended Essay
24 points minimum which
represents an average of a Level 4
(satisfactory) in each of the six
subjects. Level 7 is the maximum
grade and Level 1 the minimum.
IB Diploma Choices at
Bangkok Patana
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Group 1 – A-English/Thai
Literature (HL and SL) AEnglish/Thai Literature and
Language (HL and SL), SSST (SL)
Group 2 – Thai, French, German,
Spanish, Japanese, Mandarin,
English (at B HL and SL, and ab
initio at SL)
Group 3 – History, Geography,
Economics, Business and
Management, ITGS (all HL and
SL) and Psychology (SL)
IB Choices at Bangkok
Patana
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Group 4 – Chemistry, Biology,
Physics and Design Technology
(HL and SL) and Ecosystems and
Societies (SL)
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Group 5 - Mathematics (HL),
Mathematics (SL) and
Mathematical Studies (SL).
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Group 6 - Visual Arts, Theatre,
Music, Computer Science, Further
Mathematics (HL and SL) and
Electives.
Languages explained
A Literature- For first Language students
(Two A literature courses may be taken if it can be
timetabled and if the student is a ‘balanced
bilingual)
 A Literature and Language- For students who
are Bilingual but their A Literature is stronger.
 B Language HL - For students with at least 5
years ‘experience of the target language’ and for
who the language is not spoken at home.
(Normally students will have previously taken
GCSE in that language and performed well)
 B Language SL – For students who have taken
the language at GCSE.
 AB Initio language- A ‘New’ language where
the student has had ‘little or no experience in
the target language’.
 Important-The School will have ultimate
responsibility for the Level at which a particular
Language is studied.
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Mathematics explained
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HL/SL Further Mathematics – For
students considering undertaking a
degree in Mathematics or a related
course and who are also considering
Mathematics HL.
HL Mathematics- For very good
mathematicians. Students should be
expecting an A* at IGCSE and/or be in
the accelerated Maths group.
Mathematics Standard- For students
who intend to undertake a course at
University in the future where
Mathematics is required.
Maths Studies- For students whose
future University course will not require
Maths.
Theory of Knowledge
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Theory of Knowledge (TOK)
Is an interdisciplinary requirement central to the
Diploma Programme. It aims to stimulate
critical reflection on how we learn. It challenges
students to question the areas of knowledge, to
understand that all knowledge is problematic, to
be aware of biases and to develop the ability to
analyse evidence and express findings in rational
argument.
Natural Sciences
Knower (s)
The Arts
Creativity, Action and
Service.
The CAS programme encourages
students to share their energy and special
talents with others. Students may, for
example, participate in theatre or musical
productions, sports or community service
activities. Like TOK it is integral to the
whole philosophy of the Diploma
Programme.
Diploma Candidates have to complete a
minimum of 150 hours CAS over the two
years of the programme. There are many
different activities currently running at
Bangkok Patana and students are free to
introduce new ones. They are expected to
show leadership rather than just attending.
The Extended Essay
An extended essay of 4,000 words.
Each student has the opportunity to
investigate a topic of special interest.
The essay requirement acquaints
diploma candidates with the kind of
independent research and writing
skills expected by universities. This
does not need to be in a subject area
they are taking at Higher Level or
even at Standard Level.
Group 4 Project
This is undertaken by all
students in the Final week of
Year 12. This year it is hoped
that students will be able to
look at the schools Global
Footprint and how it might be
reduced.
Alternatives to the IB
Diploma
IB Certificate PLUS Course
The choice and number of Certificate courses that may be studied and the
number of possible IGCSE retakes will be dependent on
GCSE/IGCSE results, subject choices available at IB Diploma Level
and certificate courses requirement for entry on to University foundation
courses.
Students therefore select:
A limited number of HL and/or SL courses
IGCSE retakes for May, if required.
Plus they must complete:
Extended Essay/Personal Project which may be of a practical
nature.
A Modified TOK programme
CAS (with possible links to career aspirations)
And might also study:
PE (with possible recognised qualification)
Additional DT and/or Art during non-contact periods.
For the ICDL (International Computer Driving Licence)
Learning Support (up to 4 hours a week timetable permitting)
plus a learning mentor will also be provided by the school
Where are they now?
Recent graduates
47% United Kingdom
20% Australia
18% Asia
10% USA/Canada
5% Rest of Europe
Some high achievers in
previous Years and their
University destinations
Sichen Wang 45 points Oxford, UK
Saskia Carlebur 45 points Cambridge, UK
Kevin Chen 45 points Nottingham, UK
Myrna Carlebur 45 points Cambridge, UK
Adrian Chan 45 points Melbourne, Aus.
Elena Han 44 points Cambridge, UK
Mhairi Fraser 44 points Edinburgh, UK
Sze Chi Lim 44 points Imperial College, UK
Lace Cheung 44 points Stanford, USA
Andrea Noble 44 points Uni. of Queensland, Aus.
Rei Tamagaki 44 points Tokyo University, Japan
‘A’ Levels
v
The IB Diploma
A Levels allow you to study fewer
subjects
The IB is a much broader and more
rigorous programme offering you the
chance to acquire a wider range of skills.
This is recognised in the UCAS tariff
system where three A Grade A Level’s
are awarded 360 points equivalent to 28
points at IB Diploma Level.
(Patana Average=32-33points at IB=435457 UCAS tariff points from Aug 2010)
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