New British School Jakarta Principal introduces IB for Middle Years

With over 50 nationalities represented British School Jakarta has a very international student group and a global perspective. The school has instated the IB program with the Middle Years Program (MYP) and IB Career-related Program (IBCP) to start in August 2019.

The IB MYP is a curriculum framework designed for students aged 11 to 16, with an emphasis on developing creative and critical thinkers. British School Jakarta will be implementing the MYP as a three-year program, leading into the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE). After completing this path of study, students are well prepared to undertake the pre-University qualifications, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) and Career-related Programme (CP).

Principal David Butchers optimistic the program will help his students to take on the future.

"It is incumbent on us to move forward, ensuring the school meets the educational needs of future populations. We need to develop the necessary skills, in our students, to nurture and challenge them to be their best, through the cutting edge of this new academic achievement," Butcher said.

BSJ is collaborating with research scientist, Mette Boell from Massachusetts Institute Technology (MIT), who provided training and workshops for staff and students, as part of their Compassionate Learning Systems. The program is led by the world-renowned MIT lecturer Peter Senge, the founding chair of the Society for Organizational Learning.

"Compassionate Systems represent one way to utilise the cognitive and affective aspects of the learner profile and the approaches to learning skills. Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), combined with an understanding of systems and complexity, can establish a cognitive and affective foundation for 'international-mindedness'," said Mette Boell.

Butcher added, "The SEL also aligns with the new #morethanaschool mantra of BSJ, as we emphasise self-involvement to better prepare students competing in this rapidly-changing world."

Founded in 1974, BSJ consistently sends its graduating students to the best universities around the world, including, the USA's Ivy league universities and the UK's Russell Group.