Five Years On: SSL achieves IB World School Accreditation

In June 2023, after months of anticipation, we finally received the exciting news that Senior School Leidschenveen had been accredited as an IB World School. This means the school is licensed to offer the IBCP (Careerrelated Programme) and DP (Diploma programme) at Sixth Form. Just in time for our first cohort of Sixth Form students who will be starting in September.

The IBDP is made up of six subjects and the DP ‘core’, comprising the Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS), and the extended essay. It is intended to develop the breadth and depth of students’ knowledge.

The IBCP is an international vocational qualification. It combines the academic rigour of the Diploma Programme with a career-related focus. Students undertake a minimum of two courses from the IB Diploma plus a core (four components) and career-related study.

It’s already been quite a journey for BSN’s newest Senior School and its original cohort of students. The school opened in September 2018 with just two classes of Year 7 students. Back then, lessons took place in two portacabins on the Leidschenveen campus grounds; very well-equipped, modern and comfortable portacabins, it must be said. Those student ‘pioneers’ had a huge impact on the development of the school: they were consulted on interior design, CCAs, and ways to make the site environmentally friendly.

am incredibly proud of the staff who have worked so hard on the accreditation process. I know our students are very excited to begin their IB journey in September. We look forward to supporting them through this important step in their education and towards their future careers.”

They were even involved in the interview process for teachers. These students continued to be the first cohort to experience each new Year Group as they progressed through their education.

Construction work on the state-of-the art building that we know today officially began on 26 February 2019. The date was marked with a ‘breaking ground’ event involving students, Board of Management members, Governors and the architects and building teams.

Senior School Leidschenveen is now a thriving, still growing, school of 350 students (with full capacity for 550). ■