Submission on introduction of International Baccalaureate programmes to the Early Years,

Education and Skills Policy Commission of Labour's National Policy Forum.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) offers an education curriculum for students from age 3 to 19,
consisting of four programmes that focus on teaching students to think critically and independently.

Adoption of the IB as the national curriculum for schools would answer in part the questions “What
can we do to reduce the fragmentation of the education system, and to move towards an approach
that is integrated and promotes lifelong learning?” and “What steps can be taken, at both the
training stage and during continuing professional development (CPD), to ensure that teachers and
support staff have the knowledge and resources they need to teach the whole curriculum?” asked in
the consultation document "Towards a National Education Service" produced by the Early Years,
Education and Skills Policy Commission.

Adoption of the IB as the national curriculum for schools would reduce political interference in
education, in particular with regard to examination regimes. It would provide teachers with access
to greater educational resources and greater opportunities for CPD, including international
conferences and symposia. It would allow greater flexibility for schoolteachers to teach with less
central control.

Recognition of IB by UK universities would aid recruitment of IB-qualified international students.