We asked our Year 12 students why they chose to go for the International Baccalaureate (IB), and what they enjoy about studying at the Academy. Here’s what they said…

Curtly Mejias, Prime Minister, SMMA Parliament – “I did a year of AS level and felt that I wasn’t being pushed. I heard about the IB just before the start of my A2 year and since I started it has been great. To know that it will be more rewarding at the end makes me push myself to the best of my abilities.”

Sixtine Theobald-Bro – “I chose to study the IB because it is more appreciated by the universities and I believe it is more challenging and more interesting than A levels. The IB teachers are great! They actually want you to understand and they do their best to help you.”

Christelle Lorraine Dossa, Deputy Prime Minister, SMMA Parliament – “I think the IB is the best way to graduate with style. It might be tough, but it’s worth it when you’re applying for university and jobs! The Academy makes sure we have all we need at all times, plus they treat us like young adults, which I like.”

Georgia Tumbridge – “I really enjoy the independency that is given to us as Sixth Formers at the Academy. We are treated as individuals and not just students.”

Kirsty Walton – “I think that being part of the SMMA Sixth Form is a good challenge and is allowing me to develop as a student. I am glad to be part a course that is so well-rounded and that offers such a range of enrichment activities.”

Ellie Riley – “I believe the Academy has helped me to develop as a person, because there are a lot of opportunities available to every member of the Sixth Form. For example, working with the younger students, enrichment days and CAS projects. I enjoy coming to the Academy because it is a friendly and challenging environment that allows me to strive to achieve to the best of my ability.”

Melissa Lewis – “The IB is highly challenging and better respected if you have desire to study abroad, or if you want to study arts and science. the English and drama courses are very interesting and enlightening.”

Jessica Ete – “I decided to do the IB because I wanted the glory of having a qualification more than A levels. Right now, I’m enjoying the lessons for their variety  and think that the smaller class sizes means more attention is paid to us students.”

Hannah Baylon – “I chose to come to an IB school because it allowed me to be more rounded academically. I enjoy coming to the Academy as it is a very close community. All the teachers are great and help me enormously.”

Martha Sanderson – “I came to the Academy because I wanted the opportunity to study a wider breadth of subjects. The IB offered me this opportunity and the Academy also gave me the chance to work with younger years in music, mentoring and family time.”

And also from our IB English teacher…

“I love teaching English A1 as part of the IBD Curriculum. Having taught A level English, I fully appreciate the differences and am so glad for the opportunity to pursue with students my passion for world literature. An inspiring list of hundreds of suggested texts allows teachers to reflect their own areas of expertise and communicate their appreciation for the authors, playwrights and poets, who range from Flaubert to Woolf, Shakespeare to Stoppard and Larkin to Rosseti. A brilliant course, which is challenging and enthralling for teachers and students alike.” – Stephen Caldwell