RSA Academy

“The RSA Academy is a place full of opportunity – a place where you’re not just a student you’re also part of a large family!”

Matthew Tiso, IB student and Head Boy.

The RSA Academy offers its Post 16 students a unique opportunity to study for The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme and the new International Baccalaureate Career Related Certificate (IBCC). The RSA Academy is the only school in Sandwell, Dudley, or Wolverhampton, to offer these academically rigorous, internationally-recognised qualifications.

The IB Diploma is a challenging two-year curriculum, aimed primarily at students aged 16 to 19 and it leads to a qualification that is widely recognised by the world’s leading universities.

“The University of Warwick is always pleased to receive applications from students who are studying the IB Diploma,”

Jon Baldwin, Registrar, University of Warwick.

The Diploma is popular with students and with universities because it is broadly based and students study a wider range of subjects than is offered by traditional A Levels. The Diploma [singlepic id=70 w=320 h=240 float=right]gives you the equivalent of between four and five A Levels at grades A*-E together with the skills and qualities needed to flourish in higher education and beyond. A wide range of subjects is available within the Diploma, including English, languages (French, German, Spanish and Mandarin), business and management, history, psychology, sciences, maths, film, theatre, visual arts and music.

The new IBCC provides an exciting opportunity for ‘career orientated’ students to gain a certificate which combines practical and academic skills – preparing you for success in the workplace or in further/higher education. The IBCC is a two year course, taught in collaboration with industry partners. So for example, if you choose to study ICT, you will be working alongside experts at RM, the international computer company. We are a Roland Beacon School so music students will work with their experts and use the latest electronic musical equipment. We offer unparalleled opportunities for combining academic study with industry expertise all within a qualification which is equivalent to 400 UCAS points.

In addition to our own students progressing through to the IB we draw in students from a wide local area and from overseas, making for a culturally diverse and talented group of students with which to study and we are looking forward to a rapidly expanding cohort of IB students over the next year or two.

We moved into our new building in September 2010 and these facilities offer the widest range of the latest resources and ICT provision covering all curriculum areas.

In addition to the IB Diploma Programme and the IBCC we offer a wide range of courses and qualifications including BTECs and Specialised Diplomas.

“The IB at the RSA Academy is awesome! We have so many opportunities to help us to fulfil our potential. The staff are always ready to support us and to give us encouragement to work even harder. I came from Paris especially to study the IB at the RSA Academy and it’s proving to be a really good experience.”

Louise Pichon, one of a number of overseas students studying at the RSA Academy.