IB MYP

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) emphasises intellectual challenge.

It encourages students aged 11 to 16 to make practical connections between their studies and the real world, preparing them for success in further study and in life. It aims to develop active learners and internationally minded young people who can empathize with others and pursue lives of purpose and meaning.

The programme empowers students to inquire into a wide range of issues and ideas of significance locally, nationally and globally. The result is young people who are creative, critical and reflective thinkers.

Sudents participating in the MYP:

- build confidence in managing their own learning
- learn by doing, connecting the classroom to the larger world
- according to IB "outperform non-IB students in critical academic skills"
- according to IB "have greater success in IB Diploma Programme examinations"
- develop an understanding of global challenges and a commitment to act as responsible citizens.

The MYP builds on the knowledge, skills and attitudes developed by the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), and prepares students for the demanding requirements of the IB Diploma Programme (DP) and IB Career-related Programme (CP).

The IB PYP is not required to study the MYP however. Moreover, MYP is not a requirement to sit the IB Baccalaureate Diploma. More schools globally follow the UK's GCSE programme until 16, and then the IBDP for students aged 16 to 18.

We believe this is largely due to a) the fact the GCSE is more defined (prescriptive) in terms of approach and therefore in many ways easier for a school to implement, and perhaps more importantly because the GCSE culminates in a set of recognized examinations and then if passed, qualifications. The IB MYP does not.

The MYP curriculum framework includes:

- Approaches to learning (ATL), helping students learn how to learn by developing skills for research, critical and creative thinking, communication, collaboration, and self-management
- Key and related concepts, helping students explore big ideas that matter
- Global contexts, helping students understand the relevance and importance of their study for understanding their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet.

The MYP culminates in an independent learning project. Students complete a significant piece of work over an extended period of time, encouraging them to consolidate their learning and reflect on the outcomes of their work.

How teaching and learning is organized in the MYP
The MYP organizes teaching and learning through eight subject groups. The programme promotes interdisciplinary study that helps students make important connections between them.

Integrated teaching and learning helps students analyze complex issues and develop the habits of mind they need to participate in our increasingly interconnected world.

The eight subject groups:

- Language acquisition.
- Language and literature.
- Individuals and societies.
- Sciences.
- Mathematics.
- Arts.
- Physical and health education.
- Design.

In years 4 and 5, students have the option to take courses from six of the eight subject groups within certain limits, to provide greater flexibility in meeting local requirements and individual student learning needs.

Each year, students in the MYP also engage in at least one collaboratively planned interdisciplinary unit that involves at least two subject groups.

MYP students also complete a long-term project, where they decide what they want to learn about, identify what they already know, discovering what they will need to know to complete the project, and create a proposal or criteria for completing it.  

11 UK Schools offering IB MYP