Industry News
Independent schools 'pioneering IB'
Posted on 26th October 2007
Nearly half of the 101 schools in Britain offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) to their sixth formers are independent schools, it has been reported.
The private sector's greater freedom has allowed it to "pioneer" the qualification, the Independent claims.
Barbara Stanley, headteacher of the Abbey School which introduces the IB next year, told the newspaper she made her decision when the changes being made to A-levels became clear.
"Instead of educationalists reforming A-levels it seems to be the politicians," she claimed.
The recent Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference, which brings together the heads of some of Britain's top private schools, revealed a growing support for the International GCSE (IGCSE) for pupils.
Nine out of ten of the represented schools offered IGCSEs in at least one subject.
Cambridge International Examinations, an organisation offering the IGCSE, says the exams are "extremely popular" and that they are internationally valued and recognised.
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