Pre-IB

We offer a pre-IB year for overseas pupils who wish to study here in Year 11 and continue into the Sixth Form on the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

Entrance is determined via a CAT4 test and interview with our academic team, as well as a school reference.  The test and interview are conducted either at an in-person or online interview and assessment day.  Pre-IB pupils join one of our ten senior boarding houses, which helps with integration and language acquisition for our overseas pupils (we don’t have any solely international houses).

Our IBDP results

Our average IB points score last year (2022) was 37 points, compared with a global average of 32 points.

Recent alumni have gone on to study at some of the most prestigious destinations in the US and Europe, as well as Russell Group universities in the UK.  

Tailoring the Pre-IB programme

You would join classes with our Year 11 students who are preparing for GCSEs or IGCSEs in the following subjects. To prepare for the IBDP, Pre-IB pupils are expected to study a selection of relevant core and option subjects. Whilst studying those subjects will help them prepare for IBDP study, they will not be expected to sit exams in all of them.

Core subjects

• Mathematics
• English Literature and Language
• Modern Language (French, German, or Spanish)
• Science (either Triple Award or Combined Science depending on university plans and requirements)
• PSRE, a non-examined but compulsory element of study

Depending on your IB plans and existing levels of knowledge, you could also select three or four of these option subjects:

• Art (Fine Art or 3D)
• Business
• Classical Civilisation
• Computer Science
• Design & Technology
• Drama
• Geography
• Greek
• History
• Latin
• Music
• Physical Education
• Religious Studies.

As with the mixing into our regular boarding houses, the mixing into the main GCSE classes ensures that Pre-IB students are integrated with the rest of the school. We have found this approach works best in terms of both social integration and acquisition of knowledge, by being part of the critical mass of pupils preparing for their GCSE examinations.  

As well as having a personal tutor, who you would meet one-to-one every week, tailored support can be provided to help pre-IB pupils bridge any gaps in knowledge and prepare to join the IBDP in the Sixth Form. Even for students who select a full timetable, the Bryanston Method creates time during the timetabled day that can be used for catching-up, private study or extra support.

Pre-IB pupils are also able to benefit from the full range of sporting, musical and co-curricular activities on offer at Bryanston as well as being able to take private instrumental music lessons and receive EAL support if required.

Sixth Form and the IBDP

Following discussions with your tutor, you would select IBDP subjects following the mock examinations in January of the Year 11. We would expect at least grade 7s in the subjects that are proposed for Higher Level study.

Although we expect all pupils to progress through to the Sixth Form, entry will depend on sufficient academic progress being made in Year 11.