The aims of both IB and the Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) link in many ways. Both are aimed at young people from the ages of 3 to 19 and intend to give them the fullest opportunity to thrive in the outside world. They are similar in that they want to provide children with the appropriate knowledge to be able to do so. The aims are altered to fit the requirements of the modern world where this is required to give children the best chance for them.

However, I would say that the CfE aim clearly expresses that children within this curriculum are given skills for life and work whereas the IB aim seems to convey that they tailor their young peoples’ attributes to allow them to be caring people who have a good impact on the world. It is perhaps fitting to say that IB looks at the bigger picture. Although it is important to get children prepared for work after their schooling life, is it perhaps more important to encourage positive personal attributes so they have the confidence to thrive globally? This allows them to have a positive impact on the world amongst new societies and cultures.

In terms of my own experience regarding the aims of IB I did, in fact, notice at my placement that making learning relevant and linking it to the outside world was a very important aspect to planning lessons. My mentor always encouraged me to do so. As I begun to weave this into each lesson, I started to see that the children became more motivated. They were given a chance to see the bigger picture.

During my time at my last placement, the children were also encouraged to ask questions if they were feeling unsure about something or if they were even just curious. This allowed the children to become more confident and perhaps more knowledgeable as well.