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Upper School:  IGCSEs + International
Baccalaureate

 

With a strong emphasis on French/English bilingualism and preparing students for a wide range of international exams, the Grade 9/10 track offers the possibility of following one of the two following sections:

  • IBS Section: Follows the French National Education curriculum while placing a strong emphasis on English.

  • International Section: Prepares students in Grade 9 and 10 for the Cambridge Exams ("IGCSEs") and students in Grade 11 and 12 for the International Baccalaureate Diploma.
     

Grade 9 and 10 Pre-IB: IGCSE

The Pre-IB section prepares students for the Cambridge Exams ("IGCSEs") in the following subjects:

  • English

  • French

  • Spanish

  • German

  • Italian

  • Chinese

  • Global Perspectives

  • Math (Basic and Advanced)

  • Chemistry

  • Physics

  • Biology

  • Art & Design

  • Economics

  • Geography

  • History

Students can then, in Grade 11 and 12 (DP1 and DP2), prepare for the International Baccalaureate Diploma, for which they have the possibility, in addition to compulsory subjects, to choose from a list of options to strengthen their 100% English-language program.

International flag
IBS-Diplome

The International Baccalaureate Diploma

The International Baccalaureate Diploma combines continuous assessment and examinations in six major subjects with other activities designed to prepare the student for future studies and the modern world in general.

The programme that leads to the diploma being awarded can be tailor-made to suit any student, but consistency and hard work is required throughout.

The IB course is prepared over two years and is taught and studied in English.

The students have to select one subject from each of the following groups:

  • Groupe 1: First Language or Language A (Standard and Higher Level).

    • Subjects available: English; French; Spanish; German; Dutch; Italian; Russian; Mandarin. Other languages may be available on “Self-taught” (SL only).

  • Groupe 2: Second Language or Language B. (Standard, Higher Level and Ab initio for “debutants”)

    • Subjects available: English; French; German; Italian; Russian; Spanish; Dutch and Mandarin.

  • Groupe 3: Individuals and Societies (Standard and Higher Level)

    • Subjects Available: Geography; History; Global Politics; Economics; Business Management and Environmental Systems & Societies (SL only).

  • Groupe 4: Sciences (Standard and Higher Level)

    • Subjects available: Physics; Chemistry; Biology; Sports, Exercise and Health Sciences and Environmental Systems & Societies (SL only)

  • Groupe 5: Mathematics (Standard and Higher Level)

    • Routes: analysis and approaches and applications and interpretation.

  • Groupe 6: The Arts or elective. (Standard and Higher Level)

    • Subjects available: Theatre Studies, Visual Arts, Film and all of the above subjects

To obtain the diploma, the student must choose between 3 and 4 subjects at the higher level, and the others at the intermediate level. Each subject assessed is graded from 1 to 7.

 

The student must also:

  • Write a mini-dissertation of approximately 4000 words on a theme taken from one of the subjects. This work requires 40 hours of work with a tutor. Completed dissertations must be returned at the beginning of the second year.

  • Follow a “Theory of Knowledge” course which requireswill be a dissertation as well as a written essay. This course is intended to teach students critical thinking and the analysis of “knowledge".

3 bonus points will reward excellent marks obtained in the two disciplines above.


Creativity, Action and Service: a highly valued part of the IB program which requires students to engage in artistic, theatrical, musical and sporting activities as well as a wide range of volunteering activities serving the community, both in France and abroad. All educational goals and at least one CAS project must be completed within 18 months of IB studies.

DOCUMENTS – The International Baccalureate at IBS of Provence

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