In an interview given to l’express Weekly, the Headmaster at Le Bocage International School shares with us the values and missions of this institution. 

■ Mr. Scott, a couple of weeks ago, we interviewed Clive Barnes, Headmaster of Northfields High School, and you do not agree with the views he expressed about the International Baccalaureate (I.B.), what are your own impressions of this programme?

It is true that the most able students have the opportunity to excel and to be stretched academically. However, the less able students can also engage in the programme. We have had great success in supporting less able students in gaining a full IB Diploma.

■ What does it take to do that?

Dedication and commitment on the part of the students and unwavering support from the teaching staff.

■ Did you have any experience in the I.B. before you came to Mauritius?

Over the past sixteen years, I have worked in five IB Diploma schools. This has involved me in introducing the programme in one school, being the IB Diploma Coordinator in another and also in teaching three of the components of the programme. My three daughters have all completed the IB Diploma as well.

■ So you have experience of the programme as a parent, teacher and school administrator. Has it lived up to your expectations?

I would have to say that it has not let me down on any of these counts. As a parent, I have been very happy with the IB Diploma and my daughters are all currently studying at top universities in the UK. The IB Diploma programme, although demanding, has set them up very well for the challenges of university.

■ Is it fun to teach?

Yes, I have enjoyed teaching aspects of the programme, and, particularly, the focus on the development of analytical skills in the students. It is a real pleasure to see how the students flourish and develop intellectually over the two years of the course.

■ You graduated from my favourite university, Edinburgh, didn’t you? Are you Scottish?

Yes, I was born and educated in Scotland. And yes, I did have a History degree from your favourite university before I moved to the University of London to do my Teaching qualifications and later to from Nottingham Trent University for a Master in Educational Management.

■ And where did you work before coming to Mauritius?

I have worked as from 1992 as Deputy Head in two international schools in Ethiopia and Togo and as Head of three international schools in Tanzania and Austria and now Mauritius.

■ The International Baccalaureate Organisation puts emphasis on the Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) programme. What is exactly is CAS?

It is a programme which requires that students engage in some form of creativity that would broadly include the arts and other activities that involve creative thinking. They also have to pursue some form of action, or physical exertion that contributes to a healthy lifestyle. Lastly, and probably most importantly, the students need to engage in service activities that benefi t the community. The students are, therefore, exposed to a lot of different activities, interests and experiences that help to balance the academic demands of the programme and enhance the holistic nature of the overall programme.

■ Presumably to develop the whole individual…

To develop students who are caring and principled while also being thinkers and inquirers. The holistic nature of the Diploma is also a real strength. It means that those whose strengths lie in the areas of mathematics and science still keep in touch with languages and the humanities. Likewise, those who are more inclined to the humanities and languages also continue to study a science and mathematics. This leads to a more rounded education. But apart from CAS, the IB Diploma also has two additional components that set it apart from many other programmes in the 16-18 age range. All students have to complete an Extended Essay of about 4000 words on their chosen subject. Students are introduced to the idea of formal research questions and preparing research papers. Students also have to follow a course in Theory of Knowledge which aims to look at the connections between the subject areas that the students are studying and also at the nature of knowledge.

■ Does this focus on the non-academic affect the academic?

Not at all. Le Bocage is a mixed ability school that caters for the needs of a wide range of students who generally join us in Form 1. Having said that, I believe that the academic standards at Le Bocage are very good. The most recent cohort of IB Diploma students gained an 84% pass rate. At the level of IGCSE results, which I believe is equivalent to the Mauritian School Certificate, and at the IB Diploma level, our students compare favourably with other schools world-wide that enter students for these programmes. As a school, we are looking at how each individual student progresses throughout the school. We have spent some time in particular looking at the connection between students’ IGCSE results and their IB Diploma results. We have been very pleased to note that the students continue to progress academically throughout the 14 to 18 age range.

■ Le Bocage was the first private English-speaking school - what are the merits of an English-medium school?

In the context of Mauritius, a high level of English is obviously very important. English is also a dominant language world-wide and can give our students access to further education or job opportunities globally. However, we also value the rich linguistic background that many of our students bring to the school. In particular, we try to ensure that French remains strong in the school. A high percentage of our students end up receiving a bi-lingual IB Diploma. Although being bi-lingual may seem natural in the context of Mauritius it is important to note how valuable this is as a skill in the global market place.

■ What kind of students choose to come to Le Bocage?

We are, of course, a fee paying school, and that means that access to the school is only for those who can meet the financial commitment. However, I would stress that we are a not-for-profit institution and all money received in fees goes directly into the running of the school. Academically, we take in students from a wide ability range. We have a strong Special Educational Needs department and we are able to support a number of students who may have had difficulty in other schools. As an international school, we also attract students from the international community and from Mauritian parents who are specifically seeking an international perspective to their children’s education.

■ What is the percentage of students from the international community?

Currently, about 12% of the student body. This, of course, adds to the mix of the school. However, within the Mauritian body of students there is also a wide cultural mix that stimulates cultural awareness.

■ What are the major areas you will be working on during your headship?

We are currently officially accredited by the “Council of International Schools” (CIS). CIS is the largest organisation of international schools worldwide. A fundamental part of the process of CIS Accreditation is a commitment to selfimprovement.

Thus the school is constantly looking at ways of improving itself and raising our standards even higher. At the moment, we are particularly focusing on enhancing the teaching and learning experience of students in the 11-14 age range. With this in mind we are looking at another of the International Baccalaureate programmes, the “Middle Years Programme” (MYP), as a possible framework to bring about this improvement. Your first question made reference to Le Bocage being a pioneer in the area of the IB Diploma. We also hope to be a pioneer in the MYP as well. As an institution we can never stand still, and I am lucky to say that we have so many members of staff at le Bocage who are prepared to put in the time and effort required to bring about these changes. On the physical side of the school, we are currently expanding our green area so that the students have more access to playing fields and recreational areas.

■ What is your vision for Le Bocage?

I think it is important to say that the vision for Le Bocage is a shared one. It is important that all sections of the school community are involved in shaping this. We have recently updated our “Strategic Action Plan” and I will read to you a section from the vision statement that says, “Le Bocage International School will be built on continued Council of International Schools accreditation and the drive for self-improvement and also a desire from those within the LBIS community to provide a quality international education.”

Ultimately as our mission statement says, we aim, to “provide an education for citizens of a better world.”

Interview by Touria Prayag