College celebrates another fantastic set of IBD results

Twenty four students at Bridgwater College are celebrating the news that they have all passed the International Baccalaureate Diploma, while the College is celebrating the news that it has scored well above the world average.

The group of students, who has been studying the programme for two years, received their results a month ahead of A Level students, which means the majority of them can now confirm their university places.

The International Baccalaureate Diploma – or IBD – is a highly challenging course and means students are required to study six subjects, which usually include English, Maths, a Science, a Humanities subject, a Language and an Art subject, as well as a core of activity which include an Extended Essay and Creativity, Action and Service. Students achieve a maximum of 7 points per subject – at Bridgwater College, the average total point score achieved was 32 out of a maximum of 45, compared to the IB World Standard of 29.83 points.

Furthermore, 35% of the individual subject results were achieved at the highest grades of 6 and 7 (equivalent to A* or A at A level) compared with the World Standard of 27%.

Megan Beech, a former pupil of Haygrove School, and Charlotte Bryan formerly of Queens College Taunton, each achieved an amazing 41 points, a result which puts them in the top 4% of students entering the IB Diploma examinations throughout the world. Both students achieved an impressive 94% grade A result in their Extended Essay on Magical Realism and The French Revolution respectively; this was particularly impressive given that Charlotte did not study History at GCSE.

Megan said, “I’m really surprised by my points, but I’m delighted I can now take up my place at Queen Mary’s in London to study English.” Charlotte has a place to study French and Arabic at Manchester University and added, “I’m just relieved – I haven’t slept properly for about a week! It’s great that all the hard work has finally paid off.”

Friends Bonnie Welch and Aggie Morris scored 33 and 36 points respectively, and are taking up university places overseas, at Amsterdam University College. Bonnie, a former pupil of Heathfield Community School, and Aggie, former pupil of The Kings of Wessex Academy in Cheddar, will both study Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Louise Rowley, Head of Access, Science & Humanities at Bridgwater College said: “These are really outstanding results. I congratulate every student; the tremendous success achieved by this year’s group of students is testament to their hard work as well as tthe dynamic and inspirational teaching that they have received at Bridgwater College. We are really pleased that the continued success of the IB programme is leading to more students choosing this pathway. There is increasing recognition of the value of the qualification as a well-recognised alternative to A levels and in September we have 33 new students who will begin the Diploma.”

IBD Coordinator at the College Martyn Aldridge said: “Our current first year group has just returned from a expedition to Morocco where they have worked on community projects, including the restoration of a water mill in a remote village high in the Atlas Mountains. A two day camel trek into the Sahara Desert was a highlight of an exciting trip. When they return to Bridgwater College in September they will have a hard act to follow if they are to achieve such outstanding results as this year’s cohort – but I’m sure that they can rise to this challenge.”