The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme is known as the gold standard in preparing students for university and life. Studies across Australia, England, and Norway have shown IB graduates to possess “significantly higher levels of critical thinking” compared to their non-IB peers — a quality nurtured by the world’s best IB schools.
One example is the Marymount International School London, an independent Catholic day and boarding school for girls aged 11 to 18, nestled amidst a picturesque garden campus in Surrey, 12 miles from London.
Established in 1955 as the first all-girls school in the UK to adopt the IB curriculum IN 1979, Marymount has consistently nurtured academic excellence. It champions a broad and balanced curriculum, ensuring students connect their learning to the real world. Their dedication to nurturing students’ academic, emotional, spiritual, and social development can be seen in their exam results. As the only IB school in the UK consistently ranking amongst the top 10% globally, Marymount has a 100% pass rate. Over 35% of the Class of 2023 scored 40 points or more and one student achieved the perfect score of 45 points.
What sets Marymount apart from other schools is its consistency. This year, Marymount celebrates another great performance by its graduating class. The Class of 2024 has a 100% pass rate and an average score that surpasses the global average by a significant margin (36 points vs 30 points). This year’s cohort of 58 students, the largest in Marymount’s 70-year history, had several students scoring 43 points out of a possible 45. The school’s commitment to bilingual education shines through, with 33% of students earning Bilingual Diplomas, a reflection of the diverse student body and Marymount’s long standing dedication to multilingualism.
“These results are a reflection of our students’ dedication and agency, the teaching staff, and the supportive learning environment we foster at Marymount,” says Headmistress Mrs Margaret Giblin. “The potent synthesis of IB pedagogy and the educational vision of the RSHM has once again proved integral to our students achieving their potential. We are thrilled to see our graduates embark on the next chapter of their academic journey with such strong foundations.”
The IB Diploma programme at Marymount is a rigorous academic curriculum designed for students in Grades 11 and 12. Building upon the foundation laid by the Middle Years Programme, the diploma equips young women with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in university and beyond. Marymount girls are encouraged to cultivate critical thinking skills and embrace an international perspective honed through various challenging activities.
Through a combination of internal assessments, presentations, collaborative projects, and extensive independent research, Marymount ensures its students are fully prepared for their final exams. The programme requires students to master courses from six subject groups, with the option of taking three courses at the standard level and three at the higher level. Additionally, the program incorporates a 4,000-word Extended Essay, a Theory of Knowledge course, and a mandatory Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) programme, where students contribute to their communities through volunteer work.
Beyond academics, Marymount promotes personal development, creativity, and community engagement. This creates well-rounded individuals prepared to make a positive impact on the world. Marymount students actively participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities, from sports and the arts to service learning and leadership initiatives.
What’s more, at Marymount, the “who” is equally important as the “what.” The school recognises that happiness and well-being are fundamental to academic success and that each student deserves to be known and valued in order to flourish. Inspired by its RSHM heritage, Marymount strives to create an environment where “all may have life,” meticulously tailoring pastoral care to shepherd each student towards achieving their aspirations under the guidance of experts dedicated to an international all-girls education.
The result? Great IB scores and admission into some of the world’s most prestigious universities, including Imperial College London, University College London, and Cambridge University. More importantly, these students confidently step out into the world, carrying with them the values and skills instilled during their time at the school.
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