A Unique IBDP Experience
The IBDP is an outstanding qualification – wherever it’s studied. But how it’s delivered, and where, makes all the difference.
At Charterhouse, the IBDP is more than one of the world’s most respected academic qualifications. It is a springboard into university, adulthood and the wider world - delivered within a school environment that promotes intellectual breadth, balanced development and personal growth.
The main thing about the IBDP is to deconstruct the myths associated with it. Like the myth that IB pupils are always working. This just isn’t true: I had time to do so many other things at Charterhouse; I was in two musicals, I captained the 1st XI football team, and I was a Senior House Monitor.
You don’t need to be super-academic to do IBDP. You need to be passionate about one or two subjects, and the others tend to follow.
The IBDP is about coming to your own conclusions based on your knowledge. I found this really helpful because it’s what universities and future employers want.”
MAYA (F23), NOW STUDYING GEOGRAPHY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
Our Unique Offer
Through our balance of academic challenge and personal development, our pupils grow in character, confidence and independence, becoming well-prepared for university and equipped with the skills and values to thrive beyond it.
Our results are consistently strong, and the depth and flexibility of our IBDP prepares pupils exceptionally well for top universities in the UK and around the world.
Pupils are encouraged to be fully involved in our purposeful School community, where they can engage daily in music, sport, drama, enterprise, and outdoor education. Leadership, service, and collaboration are encouraged across all areas of School life.
This is an education that builds character as well as capability. It challenges pupils to think independently, contribute meaningfully, and make the most of the opportunities available to them - preparing them not only for academic success, but for life beyond school.
A Course For Your Future
The Diploma explicitly develops the critical thinking, innovation, creativity, and global perspective identified consistently by leading employer surveys as keys to success in the modern business world.
These give students a distinct advantage at university and in their future careers. Charterhouse’s IBDP alumni have told us repeatedly of how their independent study skills and experience in academic writing have put them far ahead of their undergraduate peers.
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Pupils at Charterhouse benefit from an outstanding course - broad, challenging and internationally recognised. They learn across six subjects, complete their own original research, and think critically through the Theory of Knowledge programme.
Our results speak for themselves. But it’s what happens beyond the classroom that makes the difference. What makes the IBDP experience at Charterhouse distinctive is the environment in which it is lived.
This is the IBDP as it’s truly meant to be - rigorous, holistic, and brought fully to life, thanks to the breadth Charterhouse provides beyond the classroom.
Becky, Current Parent
The IBDP In Detail
Pupils studying the IBDP at Charterhouse take six subjects, chosen from across a broad academic spectrum and outlined in the following table. Three are studied at Higher Level (six lessons per week) and three at Standard Level (four lessons per week).
Higher Level (HL)
Higher Level subjects involve greater depth and challenge, comparable in intellectual demand to A Levels. While A Level subjects typically involve more lesson time and independent study, the IBDP balances this by maintaining breadth across six subjects.
Standard Level (SL)
Standard Level subjects offer slightly reduced content and complexity, allowing pupils to broaden their academic experience while still building strong foundations in each subject area.
Coursework
Coursework forms a significant part of most IBDP subjects, allowing pupils to demonstrate their understanding through research, analysis and sustained effort over time. Crucially, it also means that part of each subject grade is banked before the final examinations. This brings balance to the assessment process, reducing the pressure of end-of-year exams and giving pupils more than one opportunity to show what they can do. It’s excellent preparation for university, where coursework and independent study play such a central role.
A Globally Balanced Curriculum
All IBDP pupils continue with Mathematics, English Literature and a foreign language until the age of 18 — a structure common in many leading education systems worldwide. This ensures they enter university with a balanced, adaptable, and globally relevant skill set.
Our IBDP pupils are also musicians, sports players, society leaders, entrepreneurs, actors, mentors and change-makers.
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The Core - Making the Difference
At the heart of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme lies the Core - three compulsory components that develop key skills and perspectives, and contribute up to three additional points towards the final Diploma. Dedicated coordinators for each element work closely with the IBDP Coordinator to ensure pupils are supported throughout their journey.
Theory of Knowledge (ToK)
Theory of Knowledge brings the IBDP together by encouraging pupils to examine how they know what they claim to know. Through exploring the nature of evidence, belief and truth, particularly in an age of misinformation, pupils develop critical thinking and academic rigour. ToK is assessed through an individual Exhibition and a 1,600-word essay.
Extended Essay (EE)
The Extended Essay offers pupils the chance to explore an area of personal academic interest through independent research. Working with a supervisor, each pupil produces a 4,000-word paper on a topic drawn from one of their chosen subjects. Highly valued by universities, the EE builds essential skills in research, analysis and academic writing.
Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)
CAS recognises the importance of learning beyond the classroom, through sport, performance, creativity and service. Pupils keep a journal of their experiences over two years and complete an individual project. Activities might include playing in a school orchestra, leading a charity initiative, competing in sports, or volunteering in the local community.
