We spoke to Mr Adam Larby, Head of School at The King’s School, Tudor House to find out.
Have you heard the term ‘International Baccalaureate’ (or IB) bandied about in terms of kids’ education but never really been sure about what it is and what it means? Us too!
The last time we caught up with Adam Larby, Head of School at The King’s School, Tudor House in Moss Vale to chat about their pre-kindergarten program, he mentioned the school had just become an Authorised International Baccalaureate School after a rigorous and long (over four years!) process.
So we thought, that’s fab! Who better to explain to us what the International Baccalaureate is and what it means for a child’s education? A school who just went through the process to offer it!
Super handy that it’s local, too.
Here’s what Adam had to say.
1 // Let’s start with the basics! What is the International Baccalaureate?
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is founded on a philosophy that recognises a child’s natural curiosity, creativity and ability to reflect. There are four IB programmes – the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme, Diploma Programme and Career-related Programme.
The King’s School, Tudor House is one of 20 schools in NSW, and the only school in the Highlands, offering the IB Primary Years Programme.
The IB PYP aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.
We’re now known as an IB World School and part of an incredible international education network.
Last time we chatted, I mentioned we see The King’s School, Tudor House as a little stage getting children ready for the world stage. The IB PYP is how we do that.
2 // Okay, so it’s a different way of approaching learning and the curriculum – is that right?
Exactly. The IB PYP curriculum framework begins with the premise that students are agents of their own learning, instead of it being the other way around. This approach encourages students to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who will make a difference in their own lives, their communities and beyond. A long-lasting difference.
We still teach the NSW curriculum and syllabus following the NSW Education Standards Authority outcomes, but the WAY we do that is by following a trans-disciplinary inquiry-based approach.
What does that mean? We don’t assume a student does or doesn’t know something, we recognise each student has their own level of knowledge based on their own experiences…..and we start from there.
Less structure, more guidance.
3 // That sounds awesome, but how do the teaching staff actually DO that?
The teachers at The King’s School, Tudor House believe children are inherently capable and design learning experiences that inspire students to be thinkers, inquirers and risk-takers in their learning.
Now that we’re an authorised IB School, they have access to world-class professional development opportunities at the forefront of what’s happening in education, providing evidence-based training for teachers in areas of assessment, learning environments, global context and student agency.
They also have access to amazing resources, support materials, consultants and colleagues across the globe. This gives them the best tools and information to create and design incredible learning experiences for their students.
The children truly get an international education right here in the Southern Highlands.
4 // The process of becoming an Authorised IB School was quite rigorous, wasn’t it? Can you explain what you had to do?
In 2017, the school applied to become a Candidate IB PYP School. An IB Consultant was appointed and it was their responsibility to work alongside our teachers and develop their capacity as IB PYP teachers. All teachers participated in the IB Making It Happen –Implementing Agency workshop (all new teachers have to complete that too) with ongoing IB workshops and in-house training.
We also created new learning processes and procedures, aligned with the IB philosophy.
The whole process from Candidate status to Authorisation took three years, and almost four years from the initial decision to pursue authorisation as a PYP school.
Two IB delegates visited the school for two days, meeting a wide cross-section of the school community, observing lessons, reviewing documentation and looking closely at the school environment. They completed a report on the school’s journey to become an authorised IB PYP school, which was tabled at the IB headquarters in Switzerland.
We met the criteria for authorisation as a PYP School and were given the good news in October of 2020.
5 // Why is becoming an Authorised IB PYP School so important to The King’s School, Tudor House?
We’re preparing our students to be internationally minded global citizens.
Our students in the Southern Highlands are now part of a global community of schools committed to developing knowledgeable, caring young people who will be ready to negotiate their futures successfully and make contributions which can positively impact the world.
The future is in their hands, so let’s give them the tools, knowledge and capacity to create a peaceful and harmonious one.
Tudor House, the Southern Highlands campus of The King’s School offers boys and girls, from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 6, an education with a difference. Tudor House prepares children for lifelong learning and global citizenship through superbly-resources indoor and outdoor learning space, a dedicated and committed teaching staff, and rich learning experiences including their renowned Outdoor Education adventure-based learning programme, Kahiba. Find out more here.
…
This blog features friends and advertisers of The Fold Southern Highlands and is fully endorsed by The Fold Southern Highlands. We strongly believe in the businesses and all the information we share with you on The Fold and we’re excited to share the amazing stories and adventures of our local businesses. We want to say a BIG thank you to you for supporting our sponsors who help make The Fold possible.