IB Teacher Workshops
• Experienced IB teachers
Our IB Teacher Workshops
St Clare’s has been running IB Teacher Workshops in cooperation with the IB since 2002. The popularity of the workshops has been due in no small way to the quality of our highly experienced and respected IB practitioners.
Our workshops are small and informal. We deliberately limit our group sizes to 12 participants, and we usually run no more than four subjects at any one time. This ensures that participants can easily get to know each other within their workshop group. Social events are also small so that a genuine mixing and exchange of ideas can take place.
We offer workshops for teachers new to the Diploma as well as workshops for experienced teachers of the Diploma. Each workshop focuses on interpreting and updating knowledge about subject syllabi, looking at assessment criteria and understanding how they might differ to other assessment schemes.
Discussion of such concepts such as the Learner Profile and the Theory of Knowledge course are also included. The success of individual workshops is further enhanced by:
- having input into the content of workshops through contact with workshop leaders
- sharing teaching ideas, resources and strategies
- working alongside IB teachers and trainers from all over the world
- the small group size
In addition, the College has been instrumental in providing tailored advice and training for schools and colleges that have started teaching the IB Diploma.
Dates:
| Dates 2017 | Subjects offered | Experience level |
|---|---|---|
| 20 – 23 September | Physics | category 2 |
| Theory of Knowledge | category 1 | |
| 4 – 7 October | History | category 1 |
| Language A: (English) Literature | category 2 | |
| 25 – 28 October | Environmental Systems and Societies | category 2 |
| Visual Arts | category 1 & 2 | |
| 15 – 18 November | Creativity, Activity, Service | category 1 |
| Biology | category 2 | |
| 13 – 16 December | Language A: (English) Literature | category 1 |
| Psychology | category 2 |
| Dates 2018 | Subjects offered | Experience level |
|---|---|---|
| 17 – 20 January | Chemistry | category 1 |
| Coordination | category 1 | |
| 14 – 17 February | Biology | category 1 |
| Visual Arts | category 3 | |
| 14 – 17 March | Mathematics SL | category 1 |
| 18 – 21 April | Administrators | category 1 |
| Language A: Language | category 1 | |
| 16 – 19 May | Economics | category 2 |
| History | category 2 | |
| 6 – 9 June | Chemistry | category 2 |
| Theory of Knowledge | category 2 | |
| 13 – 16 June | Biology | category 2 |
| Visual Arts | category 1 | |
| 20 – 23 June | Language A: Language and Literature | category 1 |
| Mathematics SL | category 2 | |
| 19 – 22 September | Theory of Knowledge | category 1 |
| 3 – 6 October | History | category 1 |
| 24 – 27 October | Environmental Systems and Societies | category 1 |
| Visual Arts | category 1 & 2 | |
| 14 – 17 November | Creativity, Activity, Service | category 1 |
| 12 – 15 December | Psychology | category 2 |
Contact the Department
| David Fowkes |
|---|
| Director IB Teacher Workshops |
| +44 1865 552031 |
| david.fowkes@stclares.ac.uk |
| Patricia Alvarez |
| Sales and Marketing Coordinator |
| +44 1865 517340 |
| patricia.alvarez@stclares.ac.uk |
Speakers confirmed for Summer Leadership Course
Our first Leadership Course starts on 9th July and we are delighted to confirm two high profile guest speakers, who will come and talk to our students about leadership and management styles, their successes and personal attributes that got them where they are today.
A Day in London
Students on our Summer Junior courses have 9 excursions - 3 full day and 3 half day trips - as part of their package. Obviously, one of the most popular trips is a day in London. Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and the Science Museum are some of the highlights....
A fabulous day in Brighton
All our students enjoy a trip to the seaside. Brighton is not too far away for a day visit and it is so beautiful in the sunshine. The best bits are the fabulous Royal Pavilion, the pier and the promenade. If it gets too windy or too hot we head into the cafés and...
Workshop Leaders
Our workshop leaders are all highly experienced Diploma teachers, coordinators, and examiners. They are all approved by IBO in Geneva.
The small size of our workshops means that the leaders are able to give participants individual attention, and our lively social programme enables the leaders to get to know participants outside the formal classroom setting.
Some leaders are from St Clare’s itself whilst others may be “returners” who having moved on in their careers, relishing the opportunity to revisit Oxford and the College. Each year we also welcome many leaders from IB schools around the world. This ensures a truly international mix of leaders and participants at our IB Teacher Workshop events.
Subjects:
- Biology
- Business & Management
- Chemistry
- Economics
- English & English A1
- Geography
- History
- Mathematics
- Music
- TOK & CAS
- Physics
- Psychology
Level of experience
New Teachers
Our workshops for teachers new to the IB provide an ideal introduction to the philosophy, context and processes that underpin the subject as part of the Diploma. The workshop leaders are all highly experienced teachers and aim to impart their skills and understanding to the participants. Whilst precise agendas will vary from one workshop to another, they all aim to:
- outline the IB Diploma structure
- explain the context of the subject
- introduce teaching strategies
- explain assessment procedures
- study examination marking and grading procedures
- examine the relationship between TOK and the subject
Experienced Teachers
Our workshops for experienced teachers of the IB Diploma provide an opportunity for refreshment and inspiration for teachers who have completed at least two years of teaching the subject as part of the Diploma. The highly experienced workshop leaders will impart their own knowledge whilst facilitating the sharing of ideas, techniques and resources. Whilst precise agendas will vary from one workshop to another, they will all aim to:
- discuss assessment procedures
- study examination marking and grading procedures
- examine the relationship between TOK and the subject
- discuss syllabus interpretation
- explore assessment criteria
- develop teaching and learning methodology
Venue and hotel
Our workshops take place in college classrooms either at our Banbury Road campus, where all the IB Diploma teaching is conducted, or at our Bardwell Road campus, where all the Adult English Language courses and the St Clare’s Liberal Arts programme are taught.
We will are able to visit many of the iconic facilities of Oxford including the Ashmolean Museum, Natural History Museum, the Botanic Gardens, Museum of Modern Art and libraries and will, of course, set out on the River Thames for our ever-popular “punting expedition”.
We have arranged a special delegate rate in a local hotel; workshop fees and accommodation fees are charged separately. Please note that this special rate is only available if you book through St Clare’s. Lunch and dinner are provided in College; breakfast is taken at the hotel. Alternatively, you may wish to make your own arrangements.
Registration is held on Arrival Day at New Place, 137 Banbury Road, between 1800-1900 hours and is followed by a reception, an introductory workshop session and then dinner.
| Sample programme | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival by 1800 | 1900 Reception and dinner | |
| Day 2 | 0900-1500 workshops | 1600 Publishers’ exhibition | 1930 Social event |
| Day 3 | 0900-1500 workshops | 1600 Oxford tour | 1800 Farewell dinner |
| Day 4 | 0900-1500 workshops | 1500 Departure | |
| NB: precise timings may change subject to availability and numbers | |||
Fees
| Workshop Fees – includes all workshops, refreshments, social events, lunches and evening meals |
|
| September 2017 – June 2018 | £772 |
| September 2018 – June 2019 | to be confirmed |
| Accommodation Fees – a special delegate rate per night at a local hotel – single ensuite room with breakfast at the hotel |
|
| September 2017 – June 2018 | £102.95 |
| September 2018 – June 2019 | to be confirmed |
Note: the workshops start at 1900 on day 1 and end at 1500 on day 4.
Delegates wishing to stay an extra night at the end of the workshop and travel the following day can do so but will need to make their own special arrangements with the hotel. The preferential delegate rate might not apply for the extra night.
As soon as you have registered, you will receive more detailed information about each workshop.
Alternatively, you can contact David Fowkes, Director of the IB Institute if you have any questions about the workshops.
Fees include
Tuition
- A certificate of attendance for all delegates attending the workshop.
- All teaching materials are included in the workshop fees.
- Library and internet resources are available to all delegates.
How to pay the fees
- No deposit is required with the registration form.
- You will be invoiced for the fees on receipt of your application form.
- The full fees must be paid at least three weeks before arrival.
- Do not delay sending your fees or you may lose your place on the workshop or in the hotel.
Meals
Breakfast is taken at the hotel, All delegates have lunch and dinner at college.
Own arrangements
Delegates may choose to make their own bed and breakfast accommodation arrangements.
Activities
An evening programme of social events is included in the workshop fee. This includes the welcome dinner on the first night, evening excursion and the farewell barbecue or dinner on the last night.
Travel insurance
Delegates are not insured for the loss or theft of their personal belongings. You are strongly advised to take out insurance on your personal belongings, such as laptops and cameras, as such items will not be covered by your travel insurance policy arranged by St Clare’s. The College will not accept liability for the loss or theft of your belongings, which are your responsibility.
Where are we in Oxford?
We take our inspiration from Oxford — famous around the world as a centre of academic excellence. Oxford itself is a charming mix of ancient and modern: the colleges, faculties, museums and landmark buildings of the university, and the shops, cinemas, theatres, cafés and restaurants of the city. It is located just over an hour from London and the airports and close to many places of interest including Stratford-upon-Avon, Stonehenge and Blenheim Palace.
St Clare’s is located in Summertown in north Oxford, just 1.5 km from the city centre.
On Arrival Day please register at 137 Banbury Road between 1800-1900 hrs.
By train
Oxford train station is a 10-minute walk from the city centre. Regular trains from London Paddington take between 60-90 minutes. Take a taxi from the station to the college, a 5-10 minute journey. Contact National Rail Enquiries on +44 (0)8457 48 49 50 (National Rail website) for information on trains and fares to and from Oxford or visit the websites of the train companies who service Oxford (Great Western Railways — Chiltern Railways — Cross Country Trains).
By bus
Fast and frequent bus services link Oxford to London and Oxford to the airports. When you get on the bus you should ask for the Gloucester Green bus station in Oxford. Take a taxi from Gloucester Green to the College, a 5-10 minute journey.
- The Oxford Express — a 24-hour express bus service from London Victoria station to Oxford — journey approximately 90 minutes
- The Airline — a 24-hour express bus service from London Heathrow and Gatwick airports to Oxford — journey approximately 60-120 minutes
By car
Oxford is connected to London, the M25 and the Midlands by the M40 motorway. Come off the M40 at junction 8 (A40) or junction 9 (A34) to link directly to the Oxford ring road. The ring road provides direct access to the south and west via the A34.
Approach the city from the north. Take the Banbury Road south from the ring road. Pass the shops of Summertown until you reach the traffic light junction at Marston Ferry Road. The Banbury Road campus is first right on the corner of Lathbury Road at 139 Banbury Road. The Bardwell Road centre is further south.
Continue down the Banbury Road and take a left turn into Bardwell Road. The reception is in no. 18 Bardwell Road.
Park and ride
Parking in the city centre is extremely limited and long stay visitors to Oxford arriving by car are recommended to use the city’s Park & Ride service. Fast and frequent bus services link car parks on the ring road with the city centre, seven days a week. The Water Eaton Park & Ride (to the north of the city, off the A34 and the A4260 from Kidlington) serves St Clare’s and has a bus stop directly outside the college. Take the No. 500 bus from the car park and ask for the Lathbury Road bus stop. The bus service runs every 10-12 minutes.
Contact the Oxford Bus Company for further information on timetables and routes on +44 (0)1865 785400 or visit their excellent Park and Ride website for detailed maps and instructions.
Parking at St Clare’s
Parking in the roads around the College is very limited and restricted to two hours only. It is regularly patrolled by traffic wardens.
If you require advice on city centre access or parking contact the Tourist Information Centre. Tel: +44 (0)1865 726871.