What is the CP?
The CP is a framework of international education that incorporates the values of the IB into a unique programme addressing the needs of students engaged in career-related education.
At Strood Academy we are proud to be one of few UK based schools to offer this programme which is regarded very favourably by university and apprenticeship providers for its blend of both academic and vocational study.
The CP curriculum
CP students undertake a minimum of two IB Higher Level Diploma courses (equivalent to 2 A Levels), a core consisting of four components and a career-related study (a vocational course e.g. a BTEC).
At Strood Academy, students are able to choose from a range of IB Diploma courses and BTEC options which can be found on our course page here
For CP students, IB courses provide the theoretical underpinning and academic rigour of the programme; the career-related study further supports the programme’s academic strength and provides practical, real-world approaches to learning; and the CP core helps them to develop skills and competencies required for lifelong learning.
The IBCP Core
As well as their academic and vocational studies, students also study the 4 core components. The CP core bridges the IB academic courses and the career-related study and provides students with a combination of academic and practical skills.
1) Personal and Professional Skills
Personal and professional skills is designed for students to develop attitudes, skills and strategies to be applied to personal and professional situations and contexts now and in the future. In this course the emphasis is on skills development for the workplace, as these are transferable and can be applied in a range of situations.
2) Reflective Project
The reflective project is an in-depth body of work produced over an extended period of time and submitted towards the end of the CP. Through a reflective project students identify, analyse, critically discuss and evaluate an ethical issue arising from their career-related studies. The reflective project is intended to promote high-level research, writing and extended communication skills, intellectual discovery and creativity.
3) Language Development
Language development ensures that all students have access to a language programme that will assist and further their understanding of the wider world. The ability to communicate in more than one language is essential to the IB’s concept of an international education. Language development encourages students to improve their proficiency in a language other than their best language.
4) Service Learning
Service learning is the development and application of knowledge and skills towards meeting an identified and authentic community need. In this research-based approach, students often undertake service initiatives related to topics studied previously in their academic disciplines, utilizing skills, understandings and values developed in these studies.