Majority don't understand IB
I HAVE followed the story of Tollbar's International Baccalaureate (IB) success, or otherwise, with interest.
Clearly some parents are not happy with the outcomes of their youngsters' results.
I think it is fair to say that had a child's A-level results fallen short of expectations, then there would be a similar feeling of resentment at the system which had apparently let their off-spring down.
We all seek to blame others for our own failings. This is human nature. However, I do think this case warrants a closer examination.
Mr Hampson is nothing if not an educational pioneer. He has an OBE to prove his reputation within the educational echelons, but I am not sure he really "sold" the IB very well.
In the Telegraph article Pupils Scoop Passes In New Exam, on Thursday, July 8, and his accompanying letter there is an attempt to equate the IB results to A-levels, as if to give them some credibility.
I would suggest this is irrelevant; indeed, in his letter Mr Hampson makes it very clear that there isn't any equivalency when he states that "IB (students) study six subjects over two years (as opposed to the traditional three A-levels) …" and he goes on to identify other areas of study which are not included in A-levels.
It is therefore wrong to equate the two and the only justification for doing so (as this article tries) is recognition that the majority of us don't understand the IB.
However, in my view this is irrelevant. We don't take exams for the fun of it, we take them to achieve an objective. At this level the purpose is, mainly, to gain entry to higher education and this is where comparison with A-levels can be made.
Mr Hampson states that "... and already a third have secured their first or second choice university place ..." which means that at the present time nearly 70 per cent haven't!
I would not wish to demean the achievements of the students but, honestly, these are not the most impressive figures. I wonder how this will compare with, say, Franklin, when its A-level results are announced. It will be an interesting comparison.
At the end of the day it is for parents to decide which route their children should pursue, but with the government recently announcing a review of A-levels and increased vigour in their application (presumably on the advise of the academic establishment), it does seem that the IB, for all its merits, is not seen as the favoured option for the future.
Were my children at this stage in their careers, I think I know which choice I would encourage.
Chris Whitfield, Park Avenue, Grimsby.
The Telegraph says
Whether the IB should or should not be compared to A-levels, both qualifications enable students to move to university and it is their future which is key to the merit of either qualification.
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by Josephine white, Grimsby
Tuesday, July 20 2010, 7:35AM
“David Sanderson wrote: "but employers aren't looking for people who can tell you who won a battle in 35 BC or the capital of Honduras, they are looking for people who can drive a forklift, have a HGV licence, real skills for the 21st century"
I wasn't aware that Universities were now offering degrees in Fork Lift driving and lorry driving. You learn something every day!
But you enforce my point exactly .. one doesn't need to go to university if one aspires to be (for example) a shop assistant, a personal trainer, a pub manager, a nail artist .. or a fork-lift driver. All those 'skills for the 21st century' you mentioned.
But as well as the above 'skilled' people, society also needs it's doctors, teachers, architects, lawyers, physicists and engineers .. people steeped in the arts, science and the humanities - And it needs the best. If British universities are no longer fit for purpose, then our future professional and academic elite will simply go elsewhere (and no doubt if you have your way Britain will be left with a generation of very 'skilled' lorry drivers!).”
by David Sanderson, Grimsby
Monday, July 19 2010, 11:08AM
“Fair point but you didn't go to university, it's not all fun and games and if you study via the OU, now that really is hard work, even I managed, eventually to 'get' a degree, my niece swanned off to Cambridge (and we were all deep down, very proud of her). I don't think education standards have been dumbed down, if people want to learn Latin and read poetry fine, but employers aren't looking for people who can tell you whowon a battle in 35 BC or the capital of Honduras, they are looking for people who can drive a forklift, have a HGV licence, real skills for the 21st century, who would stand more chance of getting a career these days, someone with dubious dress sense who could bore you to death with his synopsis on Alexander the great or someone who could fix yer central heating luv?
Times change.
I know my blog is boring and probably I am too, but I did manage to survive a vindictive ex, meet people who basically didn't deserve to be classed as subhuman and come out smiling, it's not a bad way to approach life, hapiness and all that.”
by Josephine White, Grimsby
Saturday, July 17 2010, 9:25AM
“David .. when are you going to get it through your head that other people's past and personal lives are none of your business? Why are you so nosy?
Unlike you - who's seemingly never happy unless divulging every self-pitying, 'blood on the screen' episode of your life on this forum, the rest of us would rather simply stick to the topic in question, have a good old ding-dong about it, and keep our private lives .. private.
If you really *must* bore the world to death by yielding to this maudlin self-indulgence (and all the "what-a-great-guy-I-am-because-I-overcame-all-my-trials-and-tribulations" drivel that goes with it) either go tell someone who gives a damn, or spew it all out on your excruciatingly tedious 'blog' .. (better still .. be a man and keep it to yourself)
I'm not interested, other readers of this forum aren't interested .. and I doubt the world and his uncle is interested either!
As they wouldn't be interested in my past, or private life either.”
by David Sanderson, Grimsby
Friday, July 16 2010, 9:20PM
“JO, perhaps you can tell us which university you went to, you've already refused to tell us if you've ever claimed benefits, I'm easy on either question.”
by Shane, Away from Toll Bar
Friday, July 16 2010, 5:01PM
“The original poster cites Herr Hampson as having an OBE therefore his reputation is proven.
Might I say that this year, a milkman dressed in a cow suit also received the OBE....says it all really.
The man is nought but a dictator, a masterful manipulator of statistics and ruthless eradicator of under performing pupils who might otherwise show a truer picture of his abilities...or lack thereof.”