King Ethelbert School is celebrating its first set of Year 13 results with 100% of students passing their International Baccalaureate Careers Related Certificate or IBCC at the highest grades.
The school started a 6th Form last year and have been a lead pilot school for the IBCC Award receiving global attention and recognition for the successful way it has embedded and delivered the award and its ethos. The IBCC combines a Level 3 BTEC Diploma with a variety of IB subjects and a core element which includes both community action and language components. All students gained high grades in all elements of the award with 33% achieving the top grades of double distinction stars in their BTEC Diploma and all achieved level 5s and 4s in their chosen IB subjects (equivalent to Bs and Cs at A Level).
King Ethelbert chose the IBCC as the path all sixth form students would follow because it encompasses everything that is great about education. It combines rigorous academic study with vocational education and the processes students need to develop to become independent learners.
Kate Greig, Headteacher, said “Successive governments and educationalists have argued about which type of study should be more prevalent in schools and it seems logical to me that a combination of both academic and vocational study gives our students the best possible education and leaves far more doors open for future choices.“
As part of the IBCC the students have to also study a foreign language, write a detailed reflective project on an ethical issue, explore different approaches to learning so that they can become lifelong learners and devise and deliver a community project. “Our Sixth Form chose to plan and host a major event for King Ethelbert School’s 75th Anniversary which was attended by large numbers of ex-students from around the globe. The planning of such an event takes considerable expertise, the type of learning that cannot be gained from a text book and I have seen our students grow and develop as learners and adults over the last two years. I am tremendously proud of them and they have only got what they thoroughly deserve.“
Vicky Weatherhogg, Deputy Headteacher, said “The impact these students have had on our school has been immense and we are thrilled that the students have been so successful. They are all looking forward to the next stage of their education and these students offer talents that are unique and highly sought after from employers.“
Chantell Wyten is the Head of Sixth Form at King Ethelbert. She has been the driver behind the hugely successful introduction of the IBCC and has received global recognition for the work she is doing with the students. She said, “The word proud does not begin to capture the feelings of staff. We have always known our students to be trail blazers, but these graduates have flung the doors open to a world of new opportunities and are one step closer to realising their dreams”.
All students have successfully secured places at their chosen universities or on level 4 Apprenticeships.