The faculty arrived back, fresh from their summer holidays, to the exciting news that ACS Hillingdon had been granted candidate status by the International Baccalaureate (IB) to begin the Middle Years Programme (MYP) implementation process from September 1, 2007. The MYP is one of three programmes offered by the IB and is designed for from 11 to 16 years old. Hillingdon’s candidate phase will last for approximately 2-3 years. When the school is ready, we will then request an authorization visit by the IB who will send a team to the school. At that time, the IB will make a decision and we will be informed as to whether we have been authorized as an IB Middle Years Programme school. ACS Hillingdon has been authorized to offer the IB Diploma Programme in the high school since 1980.

After a whirl-wind get-to-know-you with new colleagues in all three divisions, the faculty turned their attention to the new MYP during a day and a half of professional development sessions. We were fortunate to have Mr Tim Cunningham, a consultant for the IB, who has a deep understanding of the programme and how to implement it, assist the school in the training.

Mr. Cunningham spent the afternoon building upon the staff’s previous knowledge while focussing on the fundamental concepts of the programme and how they align with Hillingdon’s Mission Statement and the Philosophy and Objectives. The MYP is based on holistic learning and intercultural awareness. As the workshop continued on the next day, teachers explored the aims and objectives of the eight subject groups. Each department met and, using the framework of the MYP Objectives for their subject, created and matched the objectives of the programme to the five grade levels. At the final session, the staff asked Mr. Cunningham questions about the general and specific details of the MYP that had arisen from their work in departments. He displayed his experience with the programme by answering the questions and in the process at time raising further issues for future investigation.

At the conclusion of the sessions, the staff left feeling positive about their experience and the journey ahead. The school will provide training during meetings and inservice workshops throughout the next three years. Staff members also will be travelling around the world to attend IB MYP workshops in every subject area.

As part of the exploratory programme, parents will receive information explaining the similarities and differences of the MYP programme with our present curriculum. At all times, we will be focussing on the benefits for the students in becoming, in the words of the IB mission statement, “…inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.”