DP
A word from our DP Coordinators
Our DP team consists of our Head of High School and Diploma Programme Coordinator Colin Sinclair along with our DP Pastoral Coordinator Eva de la Casa.
Colin is an educator with 24 years of teaching and management experience after coming from the world of work. He has working internationally since 2012 and moved to head up the Diploma Programme at Bogaerts in 2018. As well as being an educator, Colin has many years of experience as an examiner with in-depth knowledge of the Diploma programme and uses this knowledge to great effect in leading Bogaerts Diploma Programme.
Eva has been working as an IB teacher for over 7 years and teaching Spanish for over 20 years. She is also the DP Student Progress Leader and Pastoral Care Coordinator. At BIS, we encourage our DP students to achieve their goals and realize their maximum potential. Eva works with students to promote positive attitudes and self-discipline, and she advocates for students facing challenges throughout their last two years of high school and the IB program.
DP PROGRAMME
The IB Diploma Programme (DP) is an academically challenging and balanced programme of education with final examinations that prepare students for success at university and life beyond. The programme has gained recognition and respect from the world’s leading universities as it prepares students for effective participation in a rapidly evolving and increasingly global society.
A LEARNER-CENTRED, CONTEXTUAL APPROACH
Students are required to study one subject from each of the five subject groups (Language & Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Experimental Sciences and Mathematics), along with an arts subject from group 6, or a second subjects from groups 1 to 5. All DP students must choose three courses at Higher Level (HL) and three courses at Standard Level (SL).
Thus, curriculum in the MYP is developed with the learner and his or her needs and goals toward this development at its heart. The end result, we find, is a student who exemplifies the IB learner profile. This profile of personal qualities, rather than a narrow focus on subject and fact mastery, is what will make such a difference in a student’s future.
A KNOWLEDGE-BASED APPROACH
In addition to disciplinary and interdisciplinary study, the Diploma Programme features three core elements that broaden students’ educational experience and challenge them to apply their knowledge and skills: the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge and Creativity, Action, Service (CAS).
Diploma Programme Subjects
Notes
Choose 1 from each group**
You take 3 as HL & 3 as SL
*Can be taken as either a group 3 or 4 (SL only)
** Group 6 is optional – you can take a 2nd subject from group 2, 3 or 4
Language & Literature
> Language A
> Language A SSST (SL)
Language Acquisition
> Language B
Individuals & Societies
> Psychology
> Business
> Economics
> History
> Environment Systems and Societies*
Sciences
> Environmental Systems and Societies*
> Biology
> Chemistry
> Physics
Mathematics
> Analysis and approaches
> Applications and interpretations
Arts
> Visual Art
How to choose Subjects
Which Maths should I choose?
Mathematics: analysis and approaches
> Mathematics
> Engineering
> Physical sciences
> Some economics
Mathematics: applications and interpretation
> Social sciences
> Natural sciences
> Medicine
> Statistics
> Business
> Engineering
> Some economics
> Psychology
> Design
IB Core subjects
TOK = Theory of Knowledge ‘How do we know what we know?'
EE = Extended Essay – in-depth independently researched essay of 4000 words on a subject of your choice.
CAS - See more – Creativity, Activity, Service.
> Need to fulfil CAS requirement to pass IB DP.
> Cannot receive an E in either TOK or EE.
What's CAS ?
CAS is at the heart of the Diploma Program. You will be involved in a range of activities beyond the academic classroom.
CAS enables you to enhance your personal and interpersonal development through experiential learning.
It provides a counterbalance to the academic pressures of the rest of the Diploma Program.
It provides a personal journey of self-discovery while being challenging and enjoyable.
Performing and Visual Art
At Bogaerts, we believe that artistic expression is a vital part of a well-rounded education. Our students engage in enriching experiences across both visual and performing arts, allowing them to explore creativity, develop technical skills, and share their unique perspectives with the school community and beyond. Moreover, exposure to diverse artistic traditions from around the world helps students connect with different cultures, broadening their perspective and promoting global awareness.
Music & Performing Arts
Music and performing hold a special place in our school culture, encouraging collaboration, self-expression, and confidence. From the Early Years all the way to the end of MYP, students have the opportunity to participate in musical and theatrical performances, through units such as Jazz Music, Romeo & Juliet, and Film Music. We were honoured to welcome renowned composer Yves Gourmeur, who shared his expertise and creative process with students in an interactive workshop. Our all-girls school band continues to thrive, performing at school events and inspiring younger musicians. Seasonal performances, such as our Christmas Concert, bring the community together in celebration, while the highly anticipated school musical that happens yearly allows students to showcase their vocal, theatrical, and production talents in a spectacular show. Previous musicals include Oceans Odyssey (2022), Oliver! (2023), and Mamma Mia!: The Musical (2024). Through these diverse artistic opportunities, students at Bogaerts not only refine their creative abilities but also develop essential skills such as problem solving, collaboration, and cultural appreciation. Whether through visual art, music, or theatre, we encourage each student to explore their artistic potential and share their vision.
Visual Arts
Our Visual Arts program nurtures creative thinking and technical expertise, providing students with opportunities to showcase their talents in various mediums. Units such as Pop Art, Impressionism, Still Life, allow students to discover different artistic movements and create works that are innovative and inspired. Students proudly present their works at the annual Visual Art Exhibition where they exhibit their artistic growth and conceptual ideas. Additionally, our students make the most of our location in the capital of Europe by embarking on trips to educational and inspiring exhibitions and museums. Students have previously ventured to the Banksy Museum, gaining insight into street art, political messaging, and modern visual storytelling.
Other Visual Arts students have also had the exclusive opportunity to visit Tim Burton’s Labyrinth, an immersive exhibition that delves into the fantastical world of one of the most visionary filmmakers and artists of our time.In MYP4 and MYP 5 the programme is strongly connected to the DP Visual Arts course. Students learn how to make a digital Art portfolio and how to use subject specific terminology to talk about their own artistic practice. They learn to experiment with materials and techniques that serve their artistic purpose(s) to convey meaningful concepts to an audience. Students will discover how to connect famous art pieces from different cultural and historical contexts and analyse them by using the formal elements of Art and composition.
