Making sure the tin looks good
Over the last year we have talked a great deal about the fact we want to make 100% sure we 'do what we say on the tin'. A kind and inclusive community of reflective global citizens in Northeast Scotland. Our guiding statements also promise we offer a 'broad, high quality programme'.
The programmes we have are indeed just that. In middle school and high school we align to the International Baccalaureate (IB) philosophy that students should not only understand human beings' main tools of thought, in the eight subject areas of the IB, but they should also learn how they work together in interdisciplinary learning and concept based teaching and learning.
In middle school all students undertake a progressive concept based programme of teaching and learning in all eight areas of the Middle Years Programme (the IB MYP), which we are aligned to. This keeps minds and pathways open.
The accredited High School Diploma programme, starts in grade 9 and includes the four years of high school until grade 12. It offers rich pathways for all - from those who need the very highest levels of academic stretch, to those who want to consolidate strong foundations before university or careers pathways.
In grades 9 and 10 we offer pre-IB courses that prepare our students for IB with the option of taking the IGCSE exams. IGCSE exams are available in five subjects from 2026 (Maths, Eng, Sci, GP, Lang) and allow for a pre-16 qualification equivalent to Nat 5 with a global perspective. Students are well prepared for exams, as demonstrated by their performance on exams and historical pass rates (100% pass rate, 97% A*-C). Crucially all students take courses in all eight subject areas aligned to the MYP and the subsequent IB Diploma Programme (the IB DP), and giving the foundation of credits for the high school diploma.
In Grades 11 and 12, students have the option of taking the world renown IB programme. Most of our students will take this option. Some students will opt to take 'courses' and credits to make up the graduating High School Diploma in grade 12 when we celebrate the achievements of all, and all students get a transcipt and diploma, with many getting an IB Diploma from the IB itself. The proof, as they say, is in the pudding. Last years' 26 graduating students received 67 offers from ALL of the Scottish universities. That is not to mention the numerous offers from universities across the UK and world. Our programmes and the IB are exceptionally welcomed by universities.
Our challenge was - how do we write that programme on the tin in a clear, visually appealing way? Whilst we want to make sure we do what we say on the tin, we also want to make sure the tin says what we do and has an attractive design.
Well here is our first iteration of the the 'programme graphic' for middle and high school. It think it looks great on the back of the tin, with our identity as a kind and inclusive community of reflective global citizens on the front of the tin! Hopefully it works for others too.
Comments
Post a Comment