Better than Concorde?

1. Better than Concorde? The International Version of the French Baccalaureate (OIB)

2. St Germain-en-Laye, France Who are we? Where do we come from? James Cathcart Coordinator of University Applications, History Teacher, OIB examiner Nicholas Baker Deputy Head, National Subject Leader OIB English

3. Defining the OIB Background: the French Baccalaureate The OIB: the Cambridge A level component The OIB ‘student profile’ The future of the OIB Making offers: recommendations The structure of today’s talk:

4. French Baccalaureate The OIB = Cambridge A-Level standard components in • English Language & Literature • History-Geography +

5. Each stream of the Bac, despite its particular focus, includes: French Literature (written & oral exams taken in Year 12) An ‘Extended Project’ (independent research) Mathematics Science History-Geography (taught as one subject) At least one Modern Language Philosophy (introduced in Year 13) Sport Since entry to university is not selective, schools do not tend to be ‘results driven’ The French ‘Bac’: a broad educational philosophy

6. S: Sciences Physics-Chemistry Life & Earth Sciences Further Mathematics One Bac, three streams L: Languages & Literature • Advanced French Literature • Advanced Philosophy • Written exams in at least two Modern Languages ES: Social & Economic Sciences • Social & Economic Science • Extra Mathematics (Statistics & Probability)

7. Establishing a hierarchy of subjects: ‘Coefficients’

8. The overall Baccalaureate result is an aggregate of all marks awarded in all examinations taken The overall result is calculated according to the subject coefficients (weightings) for each stream The ‘relevé de notes’ lists the marks awarded for each subject and the overall mark All results are published as a mark out of 20 (‘x/20’) A hierarchy of ‘honours classes’ exists for overall results: 10-11.99/20 Passable 12-13.99/20 Mention Assez Bien 14-15.99/20 Mention Bien 16-20/20 Mention Très Bien Examination Results

9. National Baccalaureate Results (2006)

10. Comparison with A Level

11. French Ministry of Education University of Cambridge International Examinations, part of the Cambridge Assessment Group (UCLES) The OIB: an Anglo-French Partnership

12. A-level-standard exams in: English Language & Literature History & Geography Written and Oral exams taken in English Taken by students in all three Baccalaureate streams The Cambridge ‘A-level’ component

13. Launched at Lycée International de St Germain-en-Laye in 1985 To give bilingual students an integrated matriculation qualification to allow them equal access to French & British higher education To respect and nurture bi-culturalism Origins & Purpose

14. Bilingualism (English language): allows ease in anglophone environment (academic or professional) Biculturalism (English Literature & History-Geography): inside & in-depth knowledge of two cultures (& educational cultures) Philosophy

15. Cambridge Subject Inspectors ensure that A-Level standards are maintained in terms of both Examinable content Assessment French Bac + A-level: matriculation standard in UK and France assured by national authorities Negates need for ESL/EFL qualification Standards & Quality Control

16. The OIB’s ‘co-efficients’

17. 4 hours extra lessons per week (+ significant extra homework) Up to 40 hours of lessons per week Practical consequences for students taking the OIB

18. OIB students are Prepared for UK university education: educated to think, discuss, write & research in A-level style Equally prepared for French university They also tend to be: Academically strong Highly motivated & ambitious Effective in managing heavy work load Intellectually flexible Multi-lingual Independent (Extended Project) Culturally mobile, international in outlook Busy: they have little time for extra-curricular activities Some have IGCSEs (but only English, History & possibly Maths) 100% go on to higher education OIB ‘student profile’

19. UK (often Russell group, but increasing variety) France: classes préparatoires, grandes écoles Canada (McGill) USA (Ivy league) Typical OIB university destinations

20. 23 schools in France & Belgium (21 entering students for examination in 2009) Predominantly French state international schools The OIB schools

21. 2001 12 schools: 285 candidates 2009 21 schools: 686 candidates The future French policy of continued growth for OIB Effective Anglo-French partnership Well-organised & dynamic community of schools Heavy demand for bilingual education in France Success & growth

22. OIB offers should be lower than those for the standard French Baccalaureate to reflect Recognition of the demands of the OIB compared with the standard French Baccalaureate The particular suitability of OIB graduates for higher education in the UK A Mention Bien (14/20) is the rough equivalent of 3 As at A Level (OIB Handbook, Cambridge Assessment) English Language Proficiency tests are not required Making Offers: recommendations

23. Overall offer only Overall offer & conditions in key subjects Overall offer Conditions in relevant subjects NB - Philosophy is an unreliable indicator Making Offers: possible approaches

24. Making offers: equivalences source: Bristol University web site