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Launched in the summer of 2021, this newest addition to the Summer School is an exciting course for students who are about to start the IBDP and are looking to be fully prepared before they begin. Students on this course are fully integrated in the other aspects of our programme: activities, evening activities, afternoon project-based lessons with British students, and excursions.
Who is it for?
This course is for students aged between 14-16 years of age, who know they are going to begin the IBDP in the next academic year, i.e. after the summer holidays. If you didn’t know, beginning the International Baccalaureate Diploma can be quite a ‘shock’ to the system for students, and our Pre-IB course aims minimise this so that there are no nasty surprises in September! In small classes (maximum 12) and involving Whitgift students who are also preparing to do the IB, students will complete this 3-week course feeling more confident and ready for the intensity of this two-year diploma. On top of this, with 20 academies and activities, over 100 international students, 35 English-speaking students and 22 nationalities represented, this is a fantastic way to get ready for the International Baccalaureate Diploma.
Students aged 14 - 16 take part in our Pre-IB course
What do students study?
Every student will study:
- 1 week of English Language & Literature
- 1 week of Maths & Stats
- 1 week of Science
The course also involves elements of TOK and CAS to give each student a detailed overview of what is required on the IBDP. We also ensure that students know about the Extended Essay too. At the end of every week, the IB specialist tutor will complete an individual and personalized report detailing what the students have studied that week. It will also include crucial developmental points for the students to follow in next academic year.
When is the course in 2022?
The Pre-IB course runs in July and August and forms part of our Summer School. The first Pre-IB session runs from Sunday 10 July – Sunday 31 July with the second session between Sunday 31 July – Sunday 21 August. Morning classes are focused on the IB lessons and afternoon classes look to develop the IB learner attributes through our unique Progressive Skills in Action class. In this part of the course, the Pre-IB students team up with the Advanced English language students and prepare projects based around a weekly theme. At the end of the week, they present their work to the school.
After lessons, the students take part in our varied activity programme which runs from 16:15 – 21:30. The first activity session runs from 16:15 – 17:45 and includes a wide range of sports and activities to choose from. Between 17:45 – 18:45 the students have some downtime (most have a shower and freshen up after activities or relax in the boarding house) before then having dinner at 18:45. At 19:30 all the summer school students enjoy the evening activity session.On Wednesday and Saturdays, the students benefit from our excursion programme, which always sees the students visit a ticketed venue. For example, if we visit Cambridge, students will go punting and visit King’s College Cambridge.
Pre-IB students are integrated into all aspects of our summer school
How do I book?
Students must have a minimum level of B2 English to take part in our International Baccalaureate preparation course. It is for this reason we ask students whose first language is not English to take our English test and then have a short 10-minute Zoom interview with a member of the Short Courses Leadership Team. Once this has been completed, we send an email confirming acceptance onto the course. Then, we ask students to complete a form detailing the areas in English, Maths and Science that they feel confident in as well as areas for improvement. This way, our teachers can prepare a truly bespoke course and assess the key areas that each student needs support in.
Students who attend our Pre-IB course can make the most of our beatiful school campus.
Where is Whitgift?
The Pre-IB course takes place on our beautiful, safe and secure campus at Whitgift School in South London. Students can make the most of everything we have to offer in terms of our world class facilities, modern classrooms and truly inspirational grounds. Our fantastic location means it does not take long to reach us. We are only 30 minutes from London Gatwick Airport, 1 hour from London Heathrow Airport and also 30 minutes from Central London, so if you are travelling on the Eurostar from Paris, Brussels or Lille, it’s even easier to reach us. Find out more about our transfer service here.
Why Whitgift?
Quite simply, we have a fantastic IB provision at Whitgift that we wish to share with the world. In 2021, we were ranked in the top 10 schools worldwide for IB results, so not only will students study in an awe-inspiring, modern thinking and progressive school, they can also be safe in the knowledge that they will be receiving a world class IB preparation course. All this will occur within the context of our summer school, where students from around the world form new, life-long friendships.