Leighton Park students’ success with International Baccalaureate
TWO YEARS of hard work was rewarded at a Reading school last week, when pupils received the their International Baccalaureate results.
Leighton Park sixth form students who took part enjoyed learning a broad base of subjects supplemented by additional modules to help prepare them for university and beyond.
The school said that it is open to any of its students who enjoys course work and interdisciplinary projects, has an international outlook and doesn’t want to narrow their subjects down at this stage of their education.
The IB course comprises three standard level subjects and three higher level subjects, each graded 1 to 7, and compulsory modules in Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and Creativity Action Service (CAS) which are pass/fail.
The maximum number of points is 45.
Given that this year group did not sit GCSEs in 2020 due to Covid, their limited experience of public examinations has added an extra layer of pressure to a busy course load.
Among the students is
Queralt Garrigos, a full boarder from Spain who achieved 39 points: “I’m going to the US to study Aerospace Engineering at the University of Buffalo in the State of New York; it’s a bit scary but I’m very excited for it.
“I’m very happy; honestly it’s been two years of really hard work. So seeing it pay out; it’s amazing, I can’t believe it really, it’s just amazing.”
And Angelika said: “It was a very interesting experience, especially having to complete it during lockdown because it was very different, it was very disrupted but I really liked that we managed to complete it and get such good grades.”
She is hoping to study International Relations at King’s College London with her 38 points.
Tisa Maunder-Bushell, who scored 36 points against a global average of 31.98, is looking forward to reading Music at an Irish university next year.
“I really enjoyed the course, it’s very diverse and it’s definitely interesting so I think it was the right course for me,” she said.
“The people on the course are lovely; I’m especially thankful for all my teachers because it’s not been easy. I’m happy it’s over and I’m excited to go to University next year.”
Philippos Makridakis , who achieved 41 points, is off to read Biomedical Sciences at the University of Warwick, having easily met his offer of 34 points. Delighted with his success, Helen Taylor, Head of Sixth Form, observed, “Their standard offer is 36 points and you were offered 34 which is a testament to the strength of your application and the quality of your work.
“I’m very proud of the achievement of all the IB students they’ve had a difficult time with the pandemic but have achieved a fabulous set of results.”