Providing our Senior School pupils with personalised pathways

This annual activity is more than just a seminar about what our pupils and parents can expect when they advance to IGCSE or IB next academic year. It is more hands-on, interactive and engaging. We begin with an information session in which parents and pupils are free to ask our teachers any questions they might have. We hope to provoke as many questions as we answer. We want them to get the fullest possible picture of everything that these programmes entail as well as what kinds of factors should influence their decisions.

"It is really important, for instance, to select the right options as soon as possible," Head of Senior School Ewan McCallum says. "However, sometimes it takes a while to sort those options out, and that is okay. Some of our pupils still make changes come August or September. It is only March right now. There is still time, and we are not asking our pupils to etch their choices in stone."

Mr McCallum also points out that pupils often overthink their choices. "It is important to have a plan," he insists, "but so is enjoying and loving what you are studying."

Nevertheless, he maintains that ample forethought is important. "With IGCSE, it is hard to make major mistakes. That is not the case with IB," Mr McCallum says. "For instance if you decide not to take chemistry, but then later on decide to pursue a career in medicine, you will be in a pretty difficult situation."

This is why our teachers work hand in glove with our Higher Education team and housemasters to make sure our options process catches any of these kinds of mistakes early enough that they can be corrected.

Another important factor is teachers. "One of the most common mistakes our pupils make is selecting their classes according to the teachers they think will be teaching the class," Mr McCallum says. "Naturally, we cannot guarantee our pupils will be assigned to the teacher they want or that the teacher will even be teaching the class the following year. We can, however, assure them that whoever is teaching them will be passionate about the subject matter. So I encourage our pupils to chose by subject, not by teacher."

In addition to an information session, parents also get to see where the learning will happen. More importantly, they will get to talk with pupils who have completed or are currently taking IGCSE and IB courses. Their perspectives prove invaluable, as they describe what these programmes will really be like, how our pupils will be tested and what will they really learn. They are always refreshingly honest and forthright with their opinions.

Most importantly, our Options Evening is our way of letting parents and pupils know that our teachers are always available to answer any questions they may have about this important chapter in their academic careers.  

"You do not need to attend our Options Evening to learn more about IGCSE and IB," Mr McCallum says. "We are really excited and keen to be on hand to answer any questions you may have. Our doors are open, and we are here to help!"