Exceptionally high marks scored by students who took the International Baccalaureate (IB) exam at Felsted in 2021 have caused the school to be listed in the top 30 in the country for study of the demanding global qualification.
IB-School.eu and Best-Schools.co.uk have recognised Felsted, an independent co-educational boarding and day school in north Essex, as one of the UK’s most successful places to take the IB in a year that was particularly challenging for students of all ages.
In 2021, every Felsted upper sixth former who chose to take the IB as an alternative to A levels passed this challenging qualification, for which candidates are examined in 6 academic subjects and also required to undertake an extended essay and a module in critical thinking, alongside engaging in activities in the local community.
Felsted’s IB candidates’ average point score was an impressive 37 out of a possible 45 total marks and represented the school’s best ever IB results since the school introduced the qualification in 2009. Felsted IB students studied remotely for the majority of the two-year course, including Alexandra Lang, a boarder whose home is in Germany, who achieved the maximum 45 points.
“After an incredibly tough two years due to the pandemic, this is a truly outstanding accomplishment,” comments Felsted Headmaster Chris Townsend. “Not only are these results a testament to the candidates’ strength of character, but also to the expertise and dedication of Felsted’s IB teaching staff who have provided the students with the academic and emotional support needed to achieve such excellent results under such challenging circumstances.”
With an emphasis on Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS), the IB encourages students to appreciate the need for a healthy balance of physical as well as mental activity.
“IB pupils must take on service projects as part of the programme, including working with charities both locally and abroad, and volunteering with the community,” says Karen Woodhouse, Director of IB at Felsted.
“This service element chimes with Felsted’s core ethos of equipping every student to go out into the world and make a positive difference.”
