About the Diploma Programme
Starting in the 2011- 2012 academic year GCS is planning to offer the IB Diploma Programme to our Grade 11 and the following year Grade 12 students.
The Diploma Programme (DP) is a challenging, broad and balanced programme set over two years of study.  The DP is well recognised by leading universities throughout the world and aims to equip students with not only the basic academic skills needed for university study, but to also create a well rounded individual who has developed positive values and life skills.
The DP was the first of the IB programmes to be offered and was introduced in 1969.  With over half a million students from 119 countries graduating since its inception.

The curriculum
IB Diploma Programme students study six subjects from 6 subject groups
•    Group 1 – Language A1
•    Group 2 – Language  - second language
•    Group 3 – Individuals and societies
•    Group 4 – Experimental sciences
•    Group 5 – Mathematics and computer science
•    Group 6 – The arts

Students are expected to study three (with the possibility of studying four) subjects at Higher Level.  HL subjects are taught over 240 teaching hours and require a greater depth of study.  Breadth of learning is encouraged with a requirement to study three more subjects (two if four are studied at HL) at Standard Level these courses are usually taught over 150 teaching hours.

In addition the DP is grounded in three key elements that students are required to undertake as part of the broader curriculum.
•    Theory of knowledge – Explores the different concepts of knowledge across the whole curriculum.
•    Extended essay – an externally assessed independent research assignment in one of the six subject areas.  This allows students to specialise in certain subject areas and prepare for university studies.
•    Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) – Students are required to undertake a minimum of 150 hours in creative, physical and service activities that take them well beyond the confines of their classrooms and gain them real – life experience.

Assessment
The IB Diploma Programme is an academically vigorous course of study, assessment takes place over two years with final externally based examinations at the end of the two years.
Subjects are scored on a 1 – 7 scale with further three points available for theory of knowledge and the extended essay.  Students who display good levels of performance across all six subjects and achieve a minimum of 24 points (out of a possible 45) are awarded the diploma.  All others receive a certificate for each of the subjects completed.

What does the DP student look like?
A student participating in the DP programme will be encouraged to be internationally minded, and should be striving to be:
An Inquirer:  Someone who is curious.  Someone who can conduct inquiry and research and be an independent learner.
Knowledgeable: They will be asked to be able to explore concepts, ideas and issues, and acquire in-depth knowledge and understanding across a broad and balanced range of subjects.
A Thinker:  A DP student will be able to apply thinking skills critically and creatively.  They will be able to approach complex problems and make reasoned, ethical decisions.
A Communicator:  Someone who can understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language.  They will be able to work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.
Principled: Someone who will act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity of others.  They will take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them.
Open-minded:  A person who can understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities.  They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of view points and are willing to grow from experience.
Caring:  Someone who can show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others.  Someone who has a personal commitment to service and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment.
Risk- takers: A person who can approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage. They have an independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies.  Someone who is brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.
Balanced: Someone who knows the importance of being balance intellectually, physically, and emotionally.
Reflective: A person who can give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience.  They will be able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development.
Adapted from The Diploma Programme: A basis for practice. January 2009-09-13

What sort of student should choose the Diploma Programme?
A Diploma student should:
•    Be able to work independently
•    Care about their learning and not just their marks
•    Be willing to go above and beyond the normal school curriculum,  to work outside    in the areas of community and service
•    Motivated both academically and personally
•    Interested in making a difference to the global community
•    Be willing to develop an international perspective
•    Be able to work to strict deadlines

Why choose the Diploma Programme?
The Diploma Programme gives each student access to a broad and diverse curriculum and encourages the growth of the whole person intellectually, physically and emotionally.  The DP is recognised worldwide and develops in its students the ability to undertake independent research and express their opinions.  They have a broad perspective on a range of subjects but can also demonstrate the capacity to study a subject in depth.  It is these skills which Universities and employees recognise as the outstanding qualities of IB Diploma Programme students.

Diploma Programme Leaflet