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23 October 2003

23 October 2003

I was very pleased to have the opportunity to meet many parents of new students at the start of term, and look forward to meeting others of you or seeing you again, in due course.

This letter includes and develops some of the points I made in my welcoming remarks to parents of new students, which I hope will be of interest. It also adds some more recent news.

May 2003 IB Diploma Results

Best ever IB results to celebrate 50 years of success at St. Clare's

The following is an extract from our website www.stclares.ac.uk

In a decade of steady improvement in the IB results, there have often been years when we could point to either a record percentage pass rate for the IB Diploma, or to a record points average for our Diploma students. The year 2003 will go down in St. Clare's history as a double success. 82 out of 86 Diploma students gained the Diploma, giving at 95.3% our best ever pass rate. Coupled with this was an average points score of 33.7, a comfortable increase on last year's record of 33.2. We hope that this improvement reflects higher standards of teaching, combined with an increased skill at identifying student problems and giving them productive assistance.

Top scoring students were Anthony Grout; Marcela Rehakova and Wang Xiao Ou, all with 43 points. Between them they reflect well the ability and diversity of St. Clare's students. Anthony is British, and came to us from a well-known public school because he wanted to move to a college where students can take on more responsibility for themselves. He plans to go to the University of Sussex to study Anthropology and Spanish. Marcela is Czech, and she will study medicine in either Prague or Birmingham. Xiao is Chinese, from Tsingtao (famous for its beer), and she plans to study Maths and Statistics at Imperial College.

Results may improve further as we await the outcome of certain re-marks currently taking place.

In addition to the above, three students were entered as IB certificate candidates.

These results compare very favourably with world figures for previous years. World figures for 2003 are not yet available, but as you will see below, pass rates are quite consistent from year to year.

Those IB schools that also offer A levels, maintain that an IB Diploma of 35 or more points is the intellectual equivalent of three A grades at A/A2 level. 42 of our 86 Diploma students obtained 35 or more points. This represents 48.8% of Diploma students obtaining the equivalent of three A grades at A level.

Although we are delighted with these results, some schools do obtain higher percentage pass rates in the IB. This may reflect a highly selective admissions policy for the IB Diploma programme, or entering for the IB Diploma only those students who are almost certain to pass it, or a considerably smaller number of candidates entered.

St. Clare's is academically selective on entry, but, by choice, not as selective as some other IB schools. Although we regularly have students obtaining very high IB grades, we are also committed to accepting students who will benefit from and contribute to the programme here, even though they will not secure the highest grades.

We feel that IB students at St. Clare's do well, in general, in relation to their abilities and starting points. We are looking at ways of assessing the "value added" to the starting position, as a result of studying the IB at St. Clare's.

This sort of exercise is never easy in national systems, but when we have students from so many different educational and language backgrounds, it makes things more complicated and difficult. However, we are cooperating with the University of Durham on a research exercise to try to assess "value added" to students' achievements while they are here.

Universities and Higher Education destinations

Students in our record-breaking IB graduating year group are, unsurprisingly, obtaining strong university placements.

Of 89 IB students who completed the final exams,

• 66 students will be starting courses at UK universities this Autumn term.

Of these:

• 16 students will attend one of the top 10 British Universities as listed in the 2004 Times Good University Guide
• 5 at Imperial College
• 1 at London School of Economics
• 2 at Bath University
• 4 at University College, London (UCL)
• 2 at Warwick University
• 1 at Bristol University
• 1 at Durham University


In addition, a further 12 students were placed in one of the next six highest ranked universities: St. Andrew's, Loughborough, Nottingham, Edinburgh, Manchester and Birmingham.

As usual, St. Clare's students will be reading a range of subjects including Medicine, Law, Engineering, Computer Science, Sciences, Languages and Literature, Philosophy, Mathematics, Management, Politics, Economics and Business.

• Other UK institutions that students are entering include the London College of Fashion, the Scottish Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts and Chelsea College of Art.
• Seventeen students have moved or returned to countries outside the UK for further study (universities in Malta, Belgium, Australia, Poland; hotel schools in Dubai and Switzerland); military service (Israel, Germany); for a gap year (before applying for entry in 2004) or employment
• At this stage (21 October), we are still waiting to hear chosen destinations for the remaining 6 students, none of which are likely to be in the UK.

Of 8 graduating students from our Pre University Foundation Course, 7 students who completed our University Foundation Course have entered British universities this term:

Summer news

Our second year of St. Clare's IB Institute ran very successfully. The IB Institute is the name we have given to our developing programme of short courses for IB students and teachers. This year we introduced a programme of subject workshops for experienced IB teachers, approved by the IBO (International Baccalaureate Organization). We are the first IB school in Europe to be approved to offer such workshops. Workshop leaders included our own staff and others from around the world. Eminent guest speakers from the University of Oxford and elsewhere gave lectures.

In addition to IB-specific material, we also offered an extension course for teachers in international education, global citizenship and language awareness. This was presented by our own staff, as we have particular experience and expertise in these areas.

The courses for students were well attended and very favourably received. Students from other IB schools and colleges around the world joined some of our own students for intensive revision or preparatory courses. There was still time for participation in activities with other students on our English language courses.

The student body at St. Clare's

This year's group of first year IB students, our 27th intake, is the largest in the College's history, with 112 students. They are joined by 32 students on the pre-IB/English language programme, combining English language and subject studies in differing proportions.

Our second year IB group, of 89 students, includes a number of new students who joined us at the start of term, transferring after taking the first year of the IB Diploma elsewhere.

Among the IB students, British students remain, as has always been the case, the largest national group.

We also have students on our Liberal Arts programme, for visiting US university students, and senior students studying English language.

In total, 49 nationalities are represented among the College's 360 students.

New staff

A considerable number of new people have joined us, including the following. Appointments to several important positions were made during the course of the summer.

Academic Office Manager
Izzy Bunn studied Law at Kings College, London, has taught EFL in Thailand and held a number of administrative positions, latterly as Postgraduate Courses Administrator and Acting Office Manager in the School of Art, Publishing and Music at Oxford Brookes University. Since leaving that post in November 2002, she has crewed a yacht in the Caribbean before joining us over the summer.

Director of the IB Institute
The IB Institute is the name we have given to our developing programme of short courses for IB students and teachers.
David Fowkes BSc (St Andrews) PGCE (Southampton) Advanced Certificate in Educational Management (Leicester) has been appointed to the part-time position of Director of the IB Institute here, with effect from 18 August. His previous appointments include Head of Chemistry and Head of Science at Framlingham College, and Head of Science, Director of Studies (1998-2001) and Deputy Head (Curriculum) (1999-2001) at Rossall School. At Rossall he was part of the team which introduced the IB Diploma programme. He was Deputy Headmaster at the English International College, Marbella, Spain, from 2001-2002. In 1988, he was a Schoolteacher Fellow at the University of Cambridge. Since leaving Spain, David has been an educational consultant and trainer on topics including IB, timetabling and website development. David is a keen yachtsman, and has led or assisted with many outward-bound school expeditions.

Head of Marketing
Ed Peters was previously a marketing consultant to independent schools in the UK, and, from 1997-2000, was Director of Communications, Bedford School and International Study Centre. Ed has a first class degree in Modern Languages and an AKC Diploma in Divinity from King's College, London. He taught French and German at Bedford School from 1982-1996, where he was also Senior Day Housemaster and Head of Careers. He has qualifications in counselling and careers guidance as well as in marketing, and is a trained operatic baritone. He is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and an executive member of the Association for Marketing and Development in Independent Schools. He took up the post on 28 July.

Admissions Registrar (Pre-university courses)
Ros Wilson has taught EFL in Greece and has held posts as Lecturer at Park Lane College of Further Education, Leeds, Lecturer in English for Academic Purposes at the Free University, Brussels, Senior Lecturer /Study Skills Coordinator at Nelson Polytechnic, New Zealand, and, from 1998 - 2003, as Senior Lecturer in English for Academic Purposes at Oxford Brookes University. She has also held a variety of administrative positions in Belgium, Britain and New Zealand. She has a Master's degree in Applied Linguistics and Phonetics from Leeds University.
She took up her post here on 21 July.

Wardens
Sue Cavanna is a qualified nurse and is undertaking an MSc in Development Practices at Oxford Brookes University. She has worked in Zambia, Equatorial Guinea and Kenya on development projects. Her positions have included Country Representative for Water Aid to Kenya, and Executive Director of Maji na Ufanasi (Water and Development) in Nairobi.

Jasmine Waddell studied political science at Brown University, US, and completed her MPhil degree at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. She is currently working on her doctorate at St. Antony's. At Brown, she was Student Union President and a member of the Board of Directors of the Alumni Club. She has taught politics and economics for A level and to undergraduates and undertaken a variety of voluntary and fund-raising work. She currently has a photography exhibition at Rhodes House, in conjunction with the award of South African Rhodes Scholarships.

Psychology Teacher (Part-time)
Christos Halkiopoulos BSc (University College, London), MSc (Birkbeck College, University of London) has taught psychology at university undergraduate level, and for A level and foundation course programmes He was head of psychology at Kingsway College of Further Education, London, and more recently has taught at Oxford College of Further Education and for Cherwell College.

Activities Department
Jon Halligan, Director of Activities, who joined us on 1 August, was formerly Head of Year and Physical Education Teacher at Sheikh Rashid School for Boys in Dubai, United Arab Emirates having been there for 10 years. During this time he initiated and organised international events for students and teachers. Jon has a degree from Sunderland University in Sport and Health. A qualified advanced open water diver, he has represented Dubai in rugby on their tour of Kenya, and is a keen actor.

Megan Claringbold, Activities Teacher and Sports Coordinator. Originally from Geelong, Australia, Meg has been teaching Physical Education locally at Lawn Upton School. Meg graduated from the University of Ballarat (Australia) BEd (Physical Education and English) in 2001. She is a well-qualified sportswoman and keen athlete.

Director of the Liberal Arts Programme and Co-ordinator of Senior Courses
Dr Ines Molinaro, was formerly Director of Studies in Social and Political Sciences at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where she was also, until recently, Fellow in the University of Cambridge Faculty of Social and Political Sciences. Ines is Canadian, studied in the USA (PhD from Notre Dame) and has lectured at the Universities of Birmingham and Warwick, in the UK, before moving to Cambridge. In addition to her role directing the Liberal Arts programme, Ines also oversees all courses for adult students, now taking place at the Bardwell Road Centre. As Director of Studies for two Cambridge colleges, she had responsibility for interviewing and selecting students for undergraduate courses. Although Dr. Molinaro does not have direct involvement with pre-university courses, she has been and will continue to offer invaluable advice and assistance on admission work with students applying for Oxbridge (Oxford and Cambridge Universities).

Chinese teacher
Mrs Jing Fan recently joined us as part-time teacher of Chinese language and literature. She replaces Mrs Qing Qing Yu, who left unexpectedly. Mrs Fan taught English and Comparative Literature in Jingzhou University, Wuhan. Since arriving in the UK, she has taught Chinese in the University of Leeds and at the Oxford Chinese School. She is also a part-time lecturer in the School of Business and Management at Brunel University, where she is undertaking research for her PhD in educational technology.

Parents' Web page

The College's website is www.stclares.ac.uk

It contains a great deal of information about all aspects of all our courses, and news of what is happening at St. Clare's. It is kept up to date on a regular basis. Much of this information will be of interest to parents, and I would encourage you to visit the site regularly. For instance, the information in this letter about May 2003 IB results and higher education is drawn from the website.

However, we have now established a new web page specifically for parents of pre-university students. This will contain items of particular interest to parents. The text of this letter will be included, for instance. When we are sending a mailing to parents, we will put details of this on the website. We know that things do get lost in the post, and this information on the webpage will let you know when to expect information in the post from us. You can then contact us if you do not receive it.

As the parents' webpage is new, it will take us some time to develop it, but I hope you will find it helpful - www.stclares.ac.uk/parents

Events for Parents

St. Clare's 50th Anniversary Celebration
You should have already received an invitation to this event from 16.30 - 19.00 on Thursday November 27th at Oxford Town Hall. This is the final event of our celebrations for the College's 50th anniversary.

Christmas concert
You are warmly invited to join us for our annual Christmas concert on Wednesday 10th December at 19.30.
If you are able to come, you will be most welcome: no tickets or notification are required.

Mulled wine evening
Monday 15th December, 18.30 - 21.00
This is a social occasion for parents, governors, neighbours and local friends and contacts. It is quite informal, and people come for as long or as short a time as they like. Please take this as an invitation to attend, and if you would like to do so, reply to me principal@stclares.ac.uk or to Helen Mair on 01865 - 517332. (It helps us to have an idea of numbers so that we can make sure we have enough mince pies). (Although there will, of course, be some staff present, there will not be opportunities on this occasion to discuss students' work and progress).

Parents' meeting
Sunday 4th January 2004
This is the day on which students return after the winter holiday. There is an opportunity for parents to meet all teachers on this day - between 14.00 - 16.00. Further details later.

What has been happening this term?

This term has been very busy, as you may have heard from your son or daughter.

Second year IB students are completing their extended essays and also submitting their applications to British universities.

We have received a group of visiting teachers from Swiss schools, working on our Language through Learning programme. This aims to improve awareness of language issues for teachers with subject classes of students of different linguistic backgrounds.

We have also welcomed Luis Argueta, a science teacher from Academia Britanica Cuscatleca, El Salvador, an IB school with which we have had links over the years. He has spent two weeks with us reflecting on differing practice between St. Clare's and his own school.

The activities programme continues to develop, providing a very wide range of opportunities for students on all programmes. There are over 40 regular scheduled activities each week, led by the five members of the Activities Department, by visiting specialist teachers, and by regular teaching staff. In addition there are many visits and single events. Last week, for instance, saw trips to see Romeo and Juliet at the Oxford Playhouse (3 different groups with accompanying teachers), Bright Young Things at the Phoenix Cinema, As You Like It at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, a horse riding weekend in Wales, paintballing and conservation work in a local woodland.

The football team was runner-up in a recent international competition, held at Tonbridge School.

The website contains further information and pictures about these and other recent events and activities.

Annie Freres, who is now at Warwick University, after completing her IB here, was recently awarded the undergraduate prize for business and management students by the Association of Business Schools. This was reported in The Guardian on October 14th. She is planning to use the cash prize to support a conservation project she is undertaking in Chile.

Research report on the IB Diploma

A new research report has recently been published entitled "Perceptions of the International Baccalaureate Diploma: a report of an inquiry carried out at UK universities and institutions of higher education".

I attended the launch of the report at the University of Bath on October 9th, and was invited to respond on behalf of IB schools to the audience from schools, universities and IB offices in Europe.

The report confirms the very high regard in which the IB Diploma is held by British universities. We have known this for many years, from our own experience, but it is reassuring to have confirming research evidence.

The IBO website headlines the following:

"Study shows United Kingdom universities rate IB diploma highly. A study found that 57% of 71 UK universities feel that graduates of the IB Diploma Programme are better prepared for university than students who have followed the UK national curriculum."
Further details are on the IBO website: www.ibo.org

St. Clare's in the press etc.

Good Schools Guide 2003
Although we have been on the GSG website for some months, St. Clare's appears in the Good Schools Guide book for the first time this year. It is the first time that the GSG has included colleges for the 16+ age group.

• We are one of only 12 state and independent colleges to be included.
• The Guide mentions our "fabulous resources centre and library"
• Pastoral care and discipline is described as "excellent"
• In summary, the Guide says: "Truly international, buzzy, fun, gets the right results, couldn't do better…if you want to go the IB road."

The Guide is completely independent. Unlike some guides, schools and colleges do not pay for entry, and the Guide chooses who will appear and writes what it like, including a paragraph about the head!

The GSG is available in book form and on-line: www.gsgdirectory.co.uk

We were visited during the summer by a film crew from Slovenian national television, making a programme on summer programmes in England. This has now been screened, and was seen by at least one of our alumni.

St. Clare's has been mentioned three times in national newspapers recently.

• Cristina Odone mentioned the College in her regular Observer column in July 2003. Cristina studied A levels here in 1978. She is a journalist and broadcaster, and deputy editor of the New Statesman. In her article she talks about how she now wishes she had taken the IB!
• A short article specifically on St. Clare's and the IB appeared in the Financial Times on 14th August, the day on which A level results appeared.
• St. Clare's also figured in a longer article in The Independent on 4 October.

I am quoted in the Independent and Financial Times articles. In both cases, there are some minor inaccuracies. I can see from first hand experience now that you cannot always trust what you read in newspapers!

Ralph Evins, who completed his IB in May, appeared on Radio 5 Live breakfast show, again on A level results day. St. Clare's arranged this on behalf of the IB Organization.

Focus for pre-university courses, academic year 2003-4

Areas for particular attention this year are:

• Promoting positive achievement by students
• English across the curriculum / in all areas of activity
• Global citizenship (see below)
• Work on assessing "value added" to students' academic achievements

Global Citizenship

Promoting global citizenship within the College is one of our 50th anniversary themes. We have undertaken to take it as a significant focus for development for a period of five years.

Below are the frames from a PowerPoint presentation on the topic at the welcome meeting for new students and parents in August:

I look forward to seeing you here.

Boyd Roberts
Principal

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