From the Head of School

 

A Long Journey

Earlier this week, ISA’s High School team held a question and answer session on the examination courses in Grades 9 to 12.  In the past, these sessions were held for Grade 8 parents; this one was open to everyone, right down to preschool.

We should know where our journeys take us from the moment we set out.  It doesn’t really make sense to stop at every junction and make a new plan.  ISA is an International Baccalaureate (IB)  school because it culminates in the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP). Even though students only study it in Grades 11 and 12, all grades lead to it.

One of the reasons that universities around the world value IB graduates is that they bring not just a high level of academic knowledge and understanding but also aptitudes vital for study success.  For example, 93% of UK admissions officers rated IB students highly for open mindedness compared to just 24% for A levels (earlier surveys which included Scottish Highers gave similar results to A levels).  The contrast was even more stark in another key attribute for universities - global outlook: 97% for IB; 7% for ‘A’ level.

Both open mindedness and global outlook require an ability to engage with different perspectives.  A quality IB students are assessed on in their Theory of Knowledge essay - there is no equivalent in Scottish Highers or A level. But long before this ISA students have been developing these aptitudes; not just in the Global Perspectives course in Grades 9 and 10. Long before that.

In Grade 1 for example, students systematically learn to talk about their emotions and how they can respond to them using zones of regulation to encourage self-awareness.  Through the books they read or have read to them, they discuss others’ emotions and how they are expressed and acted on, encouraging empathy.  By talking about things that have happened at home, in class and at playtime they apply their growing understanding of emotions, enabling effective reflection.

By Grade 4, students are ready to debate important issues considering different perspectives.  In middle school debates students consider why different people have different perspectives.  Students are encouraged to develop their own views, but also challenged to delve deeply into the other sides of arguments, so they can engage those they disagree with compassionately.  

This is just one of many areas where courses in Grades 9 and 10, and IB Diploma are at the end of a long journey, not just academically, but also in developing character.  It’s never too early to ask, where does all this lead to?