Another fantastic option for our students.
What is the IB Career-related Programme? And why should students take a good look at this newer option?
In August 2020, ACS Hillingdon launched the innovative International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP), a curriculum truly representative of 21st century learning.
The IBCP incorporates the vision and educational principles of the IB into a stand-out programme specifically developed for students who wish to engage in career-related learning, while gaining transferable and lifelong skills in applied knowledge, critical thinking, communication, and cross-cultural engagement.
Running parallel to the IB Diploma Programme, the IBCP’s three-part framework comprises career-related work, the study of two IB Diploma courses, and the IBCP Core that connects the chosen Diploma courses directly with career-related studies:
IBCP Subjects
Both Career Studies are supported by our partnership with Creative Media Studio (CMS), a training partner based at Pinewood Studios.
Students are able to attend one-week courses where they complete skills-focussed work with experts, further developing their understanding of the industry and enhancing their skills within their subject area. For example, the students studied Greek theatre as part of the theatre course and spent a week at Pinewood working on mask-making with an expert in prop-making who had worked on both Star Wars and Jurassic Park.
Students have the opportunity to supplement their Career-related study with:
The inaugural CP students (Class of 2022) are undertaking the Expressive Arts pathway, with a focus on drama and theatre.
Students who are passionate about the stage have an unmissable opportunity to gain qualifications from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), the oldest drama school in the UK, and will develop a wide range of performance skills.
In addition or as an alternative to the LAMDA qualifications, students have the option to take an A Level in theatre, where they are able to focus on acting or directing. ACS Hillingdon is also working to introduce a Level 3 qualification in photography as an option for the CP career-related study to enhance the current film studies offering at the school.
However, we are excited to announce a second pathway guided by Visual Effects which will be available from August 2021. Both pathways are supplemented with a unique and privileged opportunity to complete a variety of internal workshops at Pinewood Studios, where students work with industry experts in a professional working environment.
Importantly, the IBCP prepares students for an ever-changing world of work, asking them to consider new perspectives, engage in learning that makes a positive difference, develop both academic and practical skills, think creatively and critically, communicate effectively, work independently and in collaboration, and become self-confident, resilient, and flexible.
Through the IBCP, students develop skills that are genuinely valued by employers and gain real-life work experience.
While the LAMDA qualifications are designed to support the skills of students who aim to apply for performance-based university courses, such as theatre or performing arts, the skills they gain are also valuable for students wishing to pursue other careers in the public arena. Students gain experience in speaking in public, providing them with an important self-confidence boost for future high pressure moments, such as job interviews, negotiations or debate.