Halcyon London International School, celebrating 10 years of pioneering education, is central London?s only not-for-profit international school. We caught up with Director, Barry Mansfield, to hear his advice on choosing the best school for your child
What is an international school"
Put simply, it is a school that only teaches the International Baccalaureate (IB) suite of qualifications. There is a primary level, then the Middle Years Programme (IBMYP) covering ages 11-16, culminating in the Diploma Programme (IBDP) which covers the traditional Sixth Form years. We teach the MYP and DP.
Many parents who are used to the British system are concerned that universities won?t know what the IB is, and will assume it is not as rigorous as the (supposed) ?gold standard? of A levels. This is a valid question and the answer often surprises them. The IB is globally-recognised by universities and industry – many diplomats and those in prestigious international institutions hold an IBDP. It is, in our opinion, significantly more academically rigorous than A Levels. And research cited by the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) confirms this. Compared to UK A Level students, UK IB students are ?three times more likely to enrol at a top 20 higher education institution and 40% more likely to achieve at least an upper second-class honours degree and 7% more likely to earn a first-class honours degree compared to matched A level students? (Duxbury et al 2021).
It is als...