Discover ACS Egham

The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) nurtures and develops students ages 4-12 as caring, active participants in a lifelong journey of learning.

Through its inquiry-led, interdisciplinary framework, the PYP challenges students to think for themselves and exercise agency to explore who we are, how we express ourselves, where we are in space and time, how the world works, how we organise ourselves, and sharing the planet.

The IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) emphasises intellectual challenge, encouraging students ages 11-16 to make connections between their studies in traditional subjects and the real world.

It fosters the development of skills for communication, intercultural understanding and global engagement—essential qualities for young people who are becoming global leaders.

As an alternative to traditional GCSE’s, MYP assessments are done holistically throughout the programme through inter-disciplinary learning; submitting ePortfolios of work, meeting learning objectives for Service as Action (a compulsory and academically marked form of community service), an externally-moderated Personal Project plus final examinations.

The IBDP is an academically challenging programme of education for students aged 16 to 18, preparing them for success in further education and life beyond.

It addresses students’ intellectual, social, emotional, and physical wellbeing, whilst enabling students to study six subjects at standard or higher level. The IBDP Core encourages further depth and breadth of knowledge:

Theory of Knowledge (TOK) explores the interdisciplinary nature among subject disciplines and encourages critical reflection and analysis.

Extended Essay requires students to select, research, and write an in-depth, independent research work of 4000 words in one of their six subjects’ areas, giving students the opportunity to become familiar with independent research and writing skills.

Creativity, Action, Service (CASS) is a fundamental part of the Diploma experience helping students to grasp the importance of extracurricular activities as an integral part of life.

Specifically designed to empower students who want to specialise in, and focus on, a career-related education, the IBCP’s three-part framework comprises:

• Career-related studies
• The study of at least two Diploma Programme courses
• The distinctive IBCP core which is designed to create a bridge that connects each student’s chosen Diploma Programme courses and career-related studies

The IBCP prepares students for businesses and industries that require workers with self-confidence, community interactions, accomplished personal and professional skills, an understanding of global languages, and the ability to make ethical decisions.

The IB is not a programme that relies on standardised textbooks and rote learning.

Instead, it is an inquiry-based programme that requires students to think independently, be creative and apply problem-solving skills to real-world situations.

For the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) students are required to study six courses to enable them to gain a more well-rounded qualification ahead of starting university and entering the workplace. This offers them the opportunity to explore what they are passionate about before they select a specific subject for university.

In comparison to A Levels:

• The percentage of students achieving an IB Diploma each year has remained constant over the last decade indicating that, unlike the A Levels, there has been little grade inflation
• The highest possible score for the IB is 45 points – only 0.2% of students worldwide are able to achieve this each year. The pass mark is 24 points, which is achieved by 79% of students.
• Compare this with the A Levels where hundreds of schools are able to report a 100% pass rate each year
• 45 IB points is the equivalent of five grade A* at A Levels, 40 IB points is the equivalent of four grade A* at A Levels and 35 IB points is equivalent to two grade A* at A Levels, and one grade A

The MYP curriculum is specifically designed to inspire and support students at a time when they need to develop effective working habits, self-confidence and gives them a thorough understanding of each of their subject areas to give them the best possible launchpad for their future. Not only that, they enjoy the process of learning, and learn how to learn.

As opposed to the traditional GCSE’s where students choose on average 9 subjects, each taught, studied and assessed in silo, the MYP is based around eight broad subject groups with cross-curricular learning, aiming to educate the whole person and to show the impact of each individual on the world around them.

MYP students are assessed in an electronic format, either through exams or portfolios. This means it is more resilient to changes, such as the global pandemic, and is more suitable for students in today’s world. The MYP certificate requires students to complete eight components, each with a top grade of Level 7, resulting in a maximum score of 56.

Students are also required to deliver a Personal Project – an individual research task requiring the development and creation of a product.