PreIB

We accept students into Pre-IB from 15 years. Most students will turn 16 or 17 within the PreIB year.

Younger international students are welcomed at Westbourne and will have the opportunity to follow either the Common Entrance, or GCSE course, depending on age.

Yes!

The most successful graduates join Westbourne for the full three-year programme (PreIB and IB Diploma), however, we do welcome students who choose to study only the Pre-IB course for a year.

Depending on availability, we can also offer a one or two term immersion programme for international students.

PreIB specifically prepares students to fully access the IB Diploma curriculum, including providing intensive ESL tuition where required.

As part of the entrance exams students will sit an English test to determine their level of English.

Strong academic English is a core entrance requirement for the IB Diploma, students who are already 16 years of age, who meet all other entrance criteria, yet require improvement in academic English may receive a conditional IBDP offer, based on successful completion of the PreIB programme.

PreIB provides a thorough grounding across all 6 subject areas of the IB Diploma with a strong focus on academic English.

An example of PreIB academic life:

Term 1

• 5 lessons of Further Mathematics, providing not only a maths qualification at the end of the year but a much smoother transition into IB Maths.
• 5 lessons of English, both first and second language is on offer depending on the strength of your English.
• 8 science lessons; Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Computer Science
• 8 humanities lessons: History, Geography, Psychology and Economics
• Theory of Knowledge (TOK)
• Community, Activity, Service (CAS)

Term 2

In term two you will narrow down your subject choices, focusing on those you enjoy the most, which support your university and IB Diploma aspirations.

Term 3

In term three you will carry out research work in your subjects which replicates the coursework demands of the IB course. For those following a 1 year GCSE pathway, you will sit national examinations in May/June of this term.

Co-curricular

You will also have the opportunity to enjoy our co-curricular programme throughout your PreIB stay.

Yes!

The PreIB Programme provides the opportunity for students to sit some GCSE exams within one year which is beneficial when applying for universities, particularly the more competitive STEM courses.

However GCSE’s are optional, based on the requirement and ability of each student. Options will be discussed with you both during the admissions process and in Term 1, once your base subject understanding has been established.

Yes!

One of the core elements of the PreIB course is to develop your critical thinking skills, vital for education and indeed life!

Yes!

Located in the safe seaside town of Penarth, near the Capital City of Cardiff you will have access to world class facilities and clubs within minutes, including rugby, golf, swimming, ice hockey, basketball, netball and athletics to name just a few.

The school day includes a selection of extra-curricular clubs, as well as sport and games lessons. Once students reach 16 years of age they qualify for full and unlimited fitness centre membership in our local state of the art gym.

Westbourne is a distinctly British smaller school with 380 students ranging in age from 2 years – 18 years.

This enables us to provide exceptional academic attention and pastoral care to each and every student.

• 72% of our students are British
• 16% are from Europe
• 12% from Asia/rest of world

Across our international student body, no one nationality dominates, we currently have over 40 different nationalities amongst the international student community.

Fees for PreIB are in line with our International Boarding fees, which can be viewed here.

Year 10 entry is for students aged 14 – 15 years and is the standard entry time for students looking to sit GCSE or IGCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) exams.

Many students join us a year earlier, age 13 – 14 years to gain an early start in Year 9 on the GCSE syllabus, the time our UK students start their GCSE studies.

Students in Year 9 and 10 will study up 8 – 10 different subjects, depending on ability and English aptitude and will sit exams in these subjects at the end of Year 11.

Students then proceed to Year 12 to start the IB Diploma, assuming they meet the minimum grade requirements for Year 12 entry.

There is the opportunity to sit a reduced number of intensive 1 year GCSE’s for students who join only in PreIB (15 – 16 years), this is dependent on ability and English language proficiency on joining.

GCSE examinations in PreIB are optional, students will have lots of opportunities to consult with their teachers on subject choice and whether or not to sit the examinations in PreIB.

Students outside the UK will require a visa to study at Westbourne.

Westbourne is a Child Student visa sponsor and our International Admissions Team can advise on the type of visa required, depending on length of study, and support you throughout the visa application process.