A World Class Education

P. Panayis
Introducing the
IBDP at AAL
P. PANAYIS 2024, AAL
 Why AAL Will Offer the IB Diploma Program
(DP)

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International research shows that there are many benefits to
choosing the DP over other 16-19 curricula. For example:

• DP students are better able than their peers to cope with

demanding workloads, manage their time and meet the
expectations placed on them, according to one study
• Analysis of DP students in Canada, the UK and the USA
found that the DP’s extended essay improves students’
approach to learning in higher education
Why AAL Will Offer the IB Diploma (DP)
• Research suggests that there are many benefits to choosing the
Diploma Programme (DP). The programme aims to develop
students who have excellent breadth and depth of knowledge –
students who flourish physically, intellectually, emotionally and

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ethically.
• Becoming an IB World School means joining over 4,700 schools
worldwide in delivering IB programmes, and becoming part of a
community of educators that is growing and developing
constantly. The IB’s unique implementation is strengthened
through our relationships with schools, governments and
international organizations globally.
• Pathway to university and employment - The International Baccalaureate®
(IB) Diploma Programme (DP) is recognized and respected by the world’s
leading universities
 The IB Philosophy

The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally

minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and
shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and
more peaceful world.
The IB Learner Profile

IB aims to develop learners who are:

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Inquirers
Knowledgeable
Thinkers
Communicators
Principled
Open-minded
Caring
Risk-takers
Balanced
Reflective
Organizing teaching and learning in the DP
Curriculum Page 6

Students study
concurrently:
 three subjects at
higher level
(240 hours each).
 three subjects at standard
level
(150 hours each).
 all three parts of the core.

The IB Learner Profile and

the core are central to the
philosophy of the Diploma
Programme.
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What does the Diploma Programme
curriculum contain?
1. The DP organizes teaching and learning
through six subject groups, underpinned

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by the DP core.
The DP Core
Made up of the three required components, the DP core aims to broaden students’
educational experience and challenge them to apply their knowledge and
skills.The three core elements are:

The extended essay, which is an independent, self-directed piece of research,

finishing with a 4,000-word paper.

Creativity, activity, service, in which students complete a project related to

those three concepts.

Theory of knowledge, in which students reflect on the nature of knowledge and

on how we know what we claim to know.
2. THE CORE Page 9

2.1 The Extended Essay

 4,000 words

 Offers the opportunity to investigate a

research question of individual interest

 Familiarises students with the

independent research and writing skills
expected at university
 Extended Essay

The extended essay has a prescribed limit of 4,000 words. It offers the
opportunity to investigate a topic of individual interest, and students
develop the independent research and writing skills expected at
university.

4000 word mini-dissertation

• Subject of student’s choice.
• Researched independently.
• Work with a supervising tutor
• Excellent preparation for university
• Useful as a piece of written work for university interviews.
You have to learn outside the classroom
CAS PROJECTS WILL
MEAN YOU:
help the community
express yourself
creatively
participatein sport and
physical challenges
2.2 Creativity, Action and Service (CAS)

Participation in the Arthur Terry’s CAS programme will

encourage students to be involved in artistic pursuits, sports
and community service work, thus fostering students’
awareness and appreciation of life outside of the school
environment.

150 hours student time

• Students focus on a range of activities.
• Get involved in community projects and charities.
• Participate in sport (Sports Leadership)
• Contribute to initiatives on a world-wide basis.
• Develop a well-rounded, aware personality
 Page
13

Creativity, action and service

(CAS):

 Encourages students to be involved in

artistic pursuits, sports and community
service

 Education outside the classroom

 Development of the learner profile

 Page
14

2.3 Theory of
knowledge:
 Interdisciplinary

 Explores the nature of knowledge across

disciplines

 Encouraging an appreciation of other

cultural perspectives
You have to think for yourself

 All students take theory of

knowledge
 This is a highly respected
critical thinking course
 It hones your skills of
argument and self-expression
 Theory of Knowledge
This explores the nature of knowledge across subjects,
encouraging an appreciation of other cultural perspectives.

Approximately 100 hours study time.

• A wide-ranging philosophical course.

• Develops critical thinking.
• Encourages original thought and debating
skills.
In a nutshell, during TOK you study where knowledge comes from, what is
defined as knowledge and all those types of debatable questions.
 You have to learn for yourself

 The third ‘core element’ of the

Diploma Programme is the
extended essay
 You will research a subject of your
choice, and produce a 4000 word
essay
 Students often regard the extended
essay as the biggest challenge of
the programme – and also their
greatest achievement
Subjects offered: What subjects are offered within the six groups?
The Diploma Programme has a large range of subjects and many more options

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Vertices 1& 2 Vertices 3, 4, 5 & 6
•Group 1 - 46 languages are • Group 3 - business and management,
economics, geography, history,
regularly available. Others (with a
information technology in a global
written literature) by arrangement. society, philosophy, psychology, social
and cultural anthropology,
•Group 2 – 25 or more modern and environmental systems & societies.
classical languages for all abilities • Group 4 - biology, chemistry, design
from complete beginner (ab initio), technology, environmental systems &
with some experience (language B) societies, physics.
• Group 5 - mathematical studies
and competent (language A2).
standard level, mathematics standard
level, higher level mathematics,
Most, but not all subjects are further mathematics, computer
available at both higher and science.
standard levels. • Group 6 - music, theatre, visual arts,
film.
 Humanities
World Literature
Modern Novel
Literature and Ideas
History
Spanish Philosophy
French Environmental Systems and

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Societies

Mathematics
Chemistry
Physics
Biology
Environmental Systems and
Societies

Visual Arts
Music Theory
Film
IB Subject Areas – 6 Groups
IB Diploma students select 1 subject from each of the 6 groups 3 of
the subjects chosen must be at a High Level and 3 must be at a
Standard Level Students may opt not to take a subject in group 6

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and take 2 subjects in another group.

Group 1 Studies in Language and Literature

Students take at least one subject from studies in language and
literature. Taking two studies in language and literature subjects in
different languages is one way of obtaining a bilingual diploma.

Group 2 Language Acquisition

Students take at least one subject from language acquisition. Three subjects are
available to accommodate students’ interest in and previous experience of
language study. The first two subjects are offered in a number of languages.
Group 2 (continued)

Modern Languages

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Language ab initio courses are for beginners (that is, students who
have little or no previous experience of learning the language they
have chosen). These courses are only available at standard level.
Language B courses are intended for students who have had some
previous experience of learning the language. They may be studied
at either higher level or standard level.

Spanish ab initio
Spanish B SL
Mandarin ab initio
French ab initio
Group 3 Individuals and Societies
Students are required to choose one subject from Individuals and
societies. They can choose a second subject from each academic
area except the arts. Each subject is designed to foster in students

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the capacity to identify, to analyse critically and to evaluate
theories, concepts and arguments relating to the nature and
activities of individuals and societies.

Business management economics

Geography global politics
History Information technology in a global society
Philoaophy psychology
social and cultural anthropology world religions (SL only).
Group 3 (continued)
Studying any one of these subjects provides for the development of
a critical appreciation of:

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human experience and behaviour
the varieties of physical, economic and social environments that
people inhabit
the history of social and cultural institutions.

Business Management SL Business Management HL

Economics SL
Information Technology in a Global Society SL
Information Technology in a Global Society HL
Philosophy SL Psychology SL Psychology HL
Group 4 Sciences
Students must study at least one subject from group 4. Students
explore the concepts, theories, models and techniques that underpin

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each subject area and through these develop their understanding of
the scientific method..

Six subjects are available:

Biology computer science chemistry
design technology
Physics sports, exercise and health science
Interdisciplinary subject
Environmental systems and societies - which meets the group 3 and
group 4
A compulsory project encourages students to appreciate the environmental, social
and ethical implications of science. This exercise is collaborative and interdisciplinary
and provides an opportunity for students to explore scientific solutions to global
questions.
Group 5 Mathematics
Students must study at least one subject in this group.
The aims of these courses are to enable students to: develop
mathematical knowledge, concepts and principles develop logical,

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critical and creative thinking employ and refine their powers of
abstraction and generalization.
Subjects Available:
Mathematical Studies SL
Mathematics SL
Mathematics HL
Further Mathematics HL

Students are also encouraged to appreciate the international

dimensions of mathematics and the multiplicity of its cultural and
historical perspectives.
Group 6 The Arts
Students may opt to study an additional sciences, individuals and societies, or languages
course, instead of a course in the arts.The subjects in the arts allow a high degree of
adaptability to different cultural contexts. The emphasis is on creativity in the context of
disciplined, practical research into the relevant genres.

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Subjects Available – all at SL and HL
Dance Music Film
Theatre Visual arts

The following courses are available online:

Film SL
Each subject is designed to foster critical, reflective and informed practice, help
students understand the dynamic and changing nature of the arts, explore the diversity
of arts across time, place and cultures, and express themselves with confidence and
competence.
Services: What is special about IB assessment? Page
IB assessment is rigorous, criterion related, consistent and differentiating of student ability. 27

 Diploma Programme assessment includes  The diploma is graded over 45 points giving
both final examinations and internal ample scope to differentiate student ability
assessment undertaken by the teacher to IB
criteria and then externally moderated by
the IB.  Marks awarded for each course range from
1 (lowest) to 7 (highest).

 All 4,000 examiners are ‘quality checked’

through a process of moderation.  Diploma is awarded to students who gain at
least 24 points.

 The IB undertakes random inspections of

 The overall diploma pass rate is broadly
schools during exams.
consistent year on year

 Results are published on 5 July for May

 Diploma Programme assessment –
session and 5 January for the November
session. principles and practice – available on
www.ibo.org
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INTERNAL
ASSESSMENT
WEIGHTS
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 POSSIBLE FIRST YEAR DP CLASSES OFFERED AT
AAL
Most Popular:
GROUP 1 – Language & Literature SL, HL

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English B SL, HL

GROUP 2 – Arabic ab initio SL or Spanish ab initio SL

French B SL, HL or Arabic B SL, HL

GROUP 3 - Economics SL, HL or History SL, HL

GROUP 4 – Biology SL, HL or Physics SL, HL

GROUP 5 - Math Studies SL or Mathematics SL, HL

GROUP 6 – Visual Arts SL, HL or Film SL, HL

Chemistry SL, HL
www.IBO.org
So, what will my timetable look like ?
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Registration

Period 1 English HL Maths SL French HL Biology SL Geography

HL
Period 2 Geography English HL Maths SL French HL Biology SL
HL
Period 3 Biology SL Geography Computer English HL French HL
HL Science SL
Period 4 French HL TOK Geography Computer Computer
HL Science SL Science SL

Period 5 CAS / EE English HL Maths SL

University recognition: How well is the diploma recognized by Page
universities? 32

The IB diploma is widely recognized by the world’s leading universities.

The IB works closely with universities in all regions of the world to

gain recognition for the IB diploma:

 Direct online access for university admissions officers and government officials to syllabuses and
recent examination papers
 A database of university admission policies on www.ibo.org
 Recognition in over 100 countries
 Recognition by over 2,000 universities
 Some universities offer scholarships and advanced placement for IB students

Students applying to a particular university can access their grades

directly from the IB’s secure web site.
Marks/Grades

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45 points is the maximum score you can get. 7 is the maximum
score you can get per subject. So:
7 x 6 = 42.
As you may have noticed 3 points are missing. These are
gained through your extended essay (4000 words on subject of
choice),TOK essay. Depending on how your TOK exhibition
(takes place in the first year) the TOK essay (takes place in the
second year) and your extended essay (between second and
first year) you get assigned a certain amount of points between
0 and 3.
Please remember…….
IB students develop strong academic, social and emotional characteristics. They are

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also likely to perform well academically – often better than students on other curricula.
The IBDP is a demanding two-year, pre-university programme comprising six
subjects from six groups and the three DP core components, which include Theory of
Knowledge (TOK), Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS), and the Extended Essay (EE).
Through the three core components, students reflect on the nature of knowledge,
complete independent research project, and undertake personal projects and projects
involving community service.
THE IB DIPLOMA DEVELOPS STUDENTS TO:
Gain broad, deep knowledge
Flourish physically, intellectually, emotionally, and ethically
Study at least two languages
Excel in traditional academic subjects
Engage with the programme’s unique Theory of Knowledge subject
FEES

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Annual school fee

There is only one annual fee, per programme, associated with being an IB World School.

Fees for 2023-24

Annual school fee USD CHF GBP SGD EUR

Diploma Programme 12,233 12,370 7,340 14,558 8,715

Finally…….
You can find out how to

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become an IB World School, a requirement
for teaching IB programmes, on this website.
Read key findings from IB research to learn
more about how the IB programmes impact
students and schools.

Be part of the educational revolution!