Welcome to the Diploma Programme
The IB Diploma Programme is an internationally recognised course increasingly favoured by prestigious universities around the world. It has earned a reputation for rigorous assessment and equipping students with the skills and attitudes they will need to succeed in higher education and employment.
Critical, reflective and holistic thinking, collaborative working, individual initiative, personal organisation and planning are the core outputs of the DP. Alongside the study of 6 subjects, the core components of the Diploma Programme (DP) consist of a 4000-word research paper, critical analysis of the nature of knowledge and activities focusing on creativity, activity and service, which provide an enjoyable balance to the academic rigour of the programme.
IB Coordinator
Dr El Kahina Meziane joined ISL in 2015 as an MYP Science and Diploma Biology teacher. Since then she has held a variety of positions including Extended Essay Coordinator, Head of Department for Diploma Science, Diploma tutor and STEM higher education adviser.
Kahina holds a PhD in Immunology/Medical Oncology and worked in scientific research for over a decade at the universities of Manchester and Cambridge before embracing international education and academic writing. She has co-authored IB MYP and DP resource books and online material and led international webinars on Diploma Biology and the Extended Essay.
Academic Progress
Before joining the College, students have guidance interviews to help with subject choices, and these continue throughout their two year courses, along with semester academic check-ins and timely assessments in all subjects.
Wellbeing
Each student works with their tutor to develop an individual personal profile and has regular one to one meetings with their tutor to discuss their mental wellbeing. This is in addition to our PSHE curriculum, and the availability of wellbeing counselling for those who want it.
Lifelong Learning
Right from the start of the DP journey, students meet with Higher Education guidance counsellors to learn how to research options, how to develop strong applications to future courses and to explore possible career paths. This process is informed by assessment data gathered each semester from assignments and from internal ‘mock’ examinations that provide an authentic picture of the student’s likely final attainment.
Learning
The Diploma College offers programmes leading to qualification at level 3 in the UK National Qualifications Framework. Our courses are specially designed for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, a world-renowned and highly regarded pre-university qualification that is also a UK national award.
We offer a personalised approach to learning both in the classroom and in the 3-to-1 personalised support we offer to our students outside the classroom.
Languages in DP
ISL is proud to be the most culturally diverse international school in London and this is reflected at the College where students can be heard, both informally and formally, using many different languages as well as with English.
ISL’s world-renowned embedded Home Language / Language & Literature programme, alongside our Language Acquisition and Academic English programmes, make ISL’s Languages Programme widely recognised as a model for international schools.
Trips
The Diploma College trips are packed full of inspiring adventures and academic rigour to bring out the best in our students.
We build confidence in our students to try challenges in new environments, increase engagement back in the classroom, encourage and strengthen team building and develop essential life skills for the next stage of their higher education journey and future careers. Most Diploma College trips have a strong Service Learning component in line with the values of our school.
Sports
With teams at all levels of inter-school competition, there’s plenty of opportunity for fun and focus on the sports field at the Diploma College.
ISL alumni often mention the resulting sense of teamwork and cultural exchange from participating in sport as a highlight of their time at ISL.
