The IB DP: Seven schools celebrate 40 years

Since the International Baccalaureate (IB) was launched in 1972, it has gone from strength to strength with now over 4700 schools across 153 countries adopting the programme. But seven early adopters are now celebrating 40 years of teaching the IB Diploma (DP).The seven schools – spread across six countries – began teaching the IB just nine years after it was first launched.

The IB early adopters

• American International School, Austria
• Anglo European School, United Kingdom
• Colegio Internacional SEK El Castillo, Spain
• International School Moshi, Tanzania
• International School of Brussels, Belgium
• International School of London, United Kingdom
• Mutuelle d’Etudes Secondaires, Switzerland 

“The IB is totally aligned with SEK’s guiding principles,” said Marta Rodger, director general, SEK International Schools. “The IB allows students to develop their cognitive, socio-emotional and physical dimensions, nurturing their cultural identity within a multicultural context; providing opportunities for them to discover their interests and passions, and to accept the responsibilities related to making choices”.

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Related news:

• Managing the challenges of moving between school curricula
• What is the IBDP?
• A future of unlimited opportunities: preparing students

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Education for a better world

Adrian Kearney, director of IB World Schools, said, “These seven schools were early adopters of the DP; some of them being the first in their cities or even their countries to offer the programme."Reaching the 40th anniversary mark is a real testament to the commitment of these schools to our mission of education for a better world”.

Global competence

Over 1.4 million students in over 4,775 schools currently study the IB programme in both the state and private sector. IB programmes are designed to engage students in educational learning that equips them for life in the 21st century. Students are taught to embrace their own culture but be open and responsive to other cultures and views; an attribute that was recently recognized by PISA and which will be assessed in this year’s PISA examinations.

Developing global citizens

The International School of London (ISL) was the first school in London to offer the DP. Managing director, Amin Makarem, whose father originally founded the school in 1972, said, “Within the backdrop of 1970s London, we were looking for a programme that would broaden our students’ opportunities and prepare them for their lives as truly global citizens — the IB was, and still is, the only curriculum that does this. As one of the pioneers of the Diploma Programme, we are organising a community event later this academic year to celebrate the journey that we and the IB have taken together over the past 40 years”.Anglo European School in Ingatestone, Essex was the first state school in the UK to offer the DP. Head teacher, David Barrs, said, “We are an IB World School through and through — it’s not just about delivering a programme of education. It is the cement that holds the school together, its philosophy is pervasive.”For more on the IB, see our article The International Baccalaureate: a global success story

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Two new school categories have been added to our annual Relocate Awards for 2018 – School Providing Outstanding Relocation Support and Inspiring Future Careers – Best Employer & School(s) Initiative but you must be quick! Entries close 31 March 2018.  

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