The Diploma Programme (DP) at ISZL is an inclusive programme that aims to produce well-rounded students who have achieved their academic potential in challenging, internationally focussed courses. The whole programme develops active, caring and lifelong learners, ready to tackle the complex problems in the world today.

Subjects

Students study six subjects, three at higher level and three at standard level providing them with a broad, holistic education. These include:

• Languages: two
• Individuals and Societies: one
• Science: one
• Mathematics: one
• Arts: one
• Environmental Systems and Societies: This interdisciplinary subject allows students the flexibility to specialise further by selecting another subject from any group to make up the total of six.

Core

The real-life contexts of the Diploma Programme helps students to further develop their academic skill set, preparing them for university courses, as well as their values and life skills. This Programme is based around the "Core" of:

• Theory of Knowledge (TOK): students think about the nature of knowledge and reflect on the process of learning in all their subjects, looking for and understanding the connections between them.
• Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS): allows students to find and follow their passions, helping them to maintain balance in their lives, care for others, develop their character and undertake challenging projects.
• Extended Essay (EE): students undertake a piece of academic writing of up to 4000 words. The process will take them through a process called metacognition, where they will learn to understand how and why they make decisions during an academic piece of research.

These three core elements work together to help our students become capable, self-aware and international minded people with a strong sense of identity.

Further Information

Learn more about the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme by Contacting our Admissions Team or by Visiting the IB Website.

The ISZL High School Programme allows students to choose a variety of course types to suit their passions and interests, while meeting the graduation requirements. Students can choose from Advanced Placement courses, IB Diploma courses, a BTEC in business or ISZL’s own courses.

All the courses on offer under the High School Programme are connected by ISZL’s vision of a holistic, student centred approach to teaching and learning. Students undertake service projects as part of their High School experience and have to opportunity to enrich their education with a vast array of clubs and sports.

Advanced Placement courses are college level challenging courses designed to push students academically and allow them to fulfil their academic interests. They require a high degree of independence in study habits and have one external exam. They typically are completed in one year, although some science courses will require a preparation year, e.g. Biology before AP Biology. The College Board have more information about the AP courses.

IB Diploma courses take two years of study and have both internally and externally assessed. Popular courses for HS Programme students include Languages, Mathematical Studies and Sports Science. More information about the Diploma courses can be found on the IBO website.

The BTEC in Business has an applied, continually assessed professional qualification. Students will demonstrate their learning through business reports, presentations, multimedia products and accountable teamwork exercises. They will have the opportunity to engage with local international businesses in authentic, rich learning activities. Pearson offers more information about the BTEC Diploma in Business.

ISZL’s own courses offer students a lot of flexibility as they are not restricted by the requirements of external regulatory bodies. Some ISZL courses are focused on preparing students to take an AP in the following year. For example, students are strongly recommended to take Biology before AP Biology or Chemistry before AP Chemistry. Alternatively, optional preparation courses may be available for students if they are not yet academically secure with the prerequisite knowledge, understandings and skills. An example of this would be taking Pre-Calculus as preparation for AP Calculus AB.

Other ISZL courses are focused around experiential, project-based alternatives to ISZL’s external exam-based courses. Each student aims to leave these courses with a university or career-ready portfolio of innovative individual or team-based projects. There are three courses of this nature: Humanities: Global Innovations, Science: Innovation in Action and English: Innovations in Communication.

The Career-related Programme at ISZL offers a focused, personalised and innovative learning experience for students with an interest in the world of work.

Students combine practical, career-related studies with 3 academic subjects from the IB diploma or ISZL and AP courses. The career study in the programme is the BTEC Diploma in Business.

Students achieve the IB Career-related Programme (IBCP) qualification if the BTEC in Business is combined with 3 IB subjects and the IBCP core, or the ISZL career-related high school diploma if the BTEC is combined with AP or ISZL high school courses.

What sets the career-related programmes apart is the authentic, practical business experience and skills development the programme has at its core. Through extensive research and consultation with business we have identified the 10 essential assets to thrive in the modern workplace. These will be developed in the Personal and Professional Skills (PPS) course and in work experience with our business partners. Also in the core of the IBCP is a Reflective Project on an ethical dilemma in business and a Language Development project to promote multicultural fluency.

Students at ISZL will benefit from the assessment style and breadth of the BTEC courses that will challenge them to demonstrate their learning in authentic business-related contexts. The BTEC is continually assessed throughout the two year programme without an examination at the end. Students will demonstrate their learning through business reports, presentations, multimedia products and accountable teamwork exercises. These professional qualifications develop a range of practical knowledge and skills which help learners to prepare for – and progress in – their chosen career.

Career-related Programme students will graduate with in-depth specialist knowledge in business, the understanding from rigorous IB and AP courses and a well-developed, essential skill-set for the world of work. The result is confident, motivated and well-qualified students who are ready to thrive at university and in the workplace.

Further Information

For more information, please visit:

• IBCP qualification
• I choose BTEC
• BTEC Diploma in Business
• The What, Why and Who of Career-related Programmes, Bob Sugden
• How does the IBCP prepare students for College?

partnership - internship - mentoring

One of the essential qualities of the career-related programme is partnership between schools and employers. We have worked in close collaboration with the local business sector to design a programme that will provide the skills and experience businesses require so that students are more career-ready in the future.

Partnership

Students currently work with local business partners to develop knowledge and understanding of the business environment and develop essential skills for the modern workplace. The Personal and Professional Skills course at the core of the IBCP and each unit of the BTEC Diploma in Business is supported by input from business, either through visits to school or exercises in local workplaces.

Internships

In addition students seek one week internships at two points of the year and are supported in securing a longer placement in the break between Grade 11 and 12.

Students who can find a weekly half-day placement will also be supported in gaining the most from this experience when it can be balanced with their other commitments in the IBCP.

Mentoring

Each Career-related programme student will have a mentor in a career area of the student’s choice to provide insight, feedback on the students BTEC business assignments and a point of contact for further work experience.

Case Study: BTEC Diploma in Business in partnership with Thomson Reuters

Students undergo a strengths profile and receive coaching to design a personal change management plan with Thomson Reuters human resources department. They conduct a systems analysis of the business resources to evaluate opportunities for improved performance and go through a selection process for a job with the company.

Every student organises a one-week internship in a workplace of their choice in June of Grade 10. Here they develop skills and reflect on their growth over the experience.

Students can discuss the reality of the workplace with numerous representatives from locally based business and companies at our annual Careers Fair. This is a great opportunity for students to make connections and establish relationships to explore the world of work further.

This group of young entrepreneurs meets weekly as an after school club to develop the entrepreneurial spirit and start their own businesses. They will develop their business plan and pitch to the local business community through the ISZL Up scheme.