The IB diploma offers a challenging post-16 course for more able students, seen by many as superior to traditional A-levels. All the top universities welcome it.

"I think parents will have faith in this, whereas they're losing faith in A-levels," said co-ordinator Barbara Plant. "Whatever the level of course that's offered, there has to be rigour – and the IB offers rigour."

Once official assessors have given the green light in March, it will become one of an elite few in the UK – around 130 – accredited to run the IB programme.

Plans to teach the diploma have been put in place over the last 18 months and applications are now being invited for the first course, which begins next September.

The initiative has been championed by headteacher Mike Chapman. Preparations have included intensive teacher training, observation of the programme at home and overseas and stringent assessment by the IB Organisation, based in Geneva.

Ms Plant – the school's head of languages – was appointed co-ordinator a year ago. She has recruited a team of 15 subject leaders who have helped to draw up the detailed course plans and each attended a five-day training course in Athens.

High Storrs launched the course to students and parents in May and 15 – around 10% – declared a serious interest in signing up.

Once accredited, the school will become the only one in the area offering the IB and students from other parts of Sheffield are also being invited to apply for places.

The minimum requirement is eight GCSEs at grade B or above, so the standard is high. But the first course is expected to attract up to 30 candidates, rising to 50 over the next two years.

The diploma is based around six groups of subjects, plus a central core. All are marked through exams at the end of the second year; there are no modular courses.

The first cohort at High Storrs will all study English, maths and French, plus three more subjects chosen from the sciences, the arts, history, geography and psychology.

The central core includes a 4,000-word essay, which is usually completed over the summer holiday, a 'theory of knowledge' course encouraging candidates to question and reflect on their learning and a 'creativity, action and service' element, encompassing activities such as playing a musical instrument, taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme and voluntary work in a care home, hospice or nursery.

"I'm passionate about this diploma," says Ms Plant. "The breadth and scope of the IB are fantastic. I think it develops students into more rounded individuals, not academic machines who can churn out answers to questions.

"But we don't see the diploma as a replacement to A-levels, there are some who will prefer the more traditional route."

High Storrs also offersNVQ courses plus the Government's new diplomas for students seeking a vocational education.

An open evening on the IB is being held at the school, which is being redeveloped, on November 11.



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