I B-elieve in the Diploma Programme

Our journey towards becoming an IB World School began in spring 2023 when we conducted a feasibility study within our school community to consult with students and parents about our intention to offer the IB Diploma Programme. We aimed for first teaching in 2024, aligning with the entry of our oldest year group into Year 12. 

We applied for candidate school status in May 2023, and it quickly became clear how much work lay ahead. The IB provided us with a consultant to guide us through the rigorous authorisation process. With their support, along with contributions from teachers across the SIS network, we made swift progress from candidate to authorised status. 

The IB sets high standards for becoming an IB World School, and we were well-positioned to meet many of these requirements, thanks to our school’s already high expectations and strong internal policies. However, some challenges emerged, such as the need to build a secure storage room for exam papers to meet IB security standards and to provide emergency showers in the science laboratory for chemistry safety protocols. 

Growing Together 
Throughout the year, our teaching staff engaged in numerous collaborative meetings to discuss how the IB philosophy aligns with and can be further integrated into the SIS ethos. These discussions enabled cross-departmental collaboration and the sharing of best practices among teachers. 

In June 2024, we achieved IB World School status and began teaching in August, with our first exams scheduled for 2026. The most significant outcome of this process has been the strengthening of our internal bonds and the creation of new connections within the SIS network. One of our core values is maintaining a “Strong Network”, and the IB authorisation process has highlighted how effectively we can support one another in the future.

Mathew Calloway, IB Coordinator