DP Community Reflections on the Academic Year

Have you considered joining our DP Community meetings, but life and work got in the way?

Our DP Community meetings are a mix of school-based case-study-led sessions on specific aspects of DP coordination; some are discussion rounds where we share what we do, or they can be specific sessions supported by IB staff. Perhaps you might like to read what those attending the meetings think? Perhaps we can tempt you to join us?

“I would highly encourage other coordinators to join—these meetings are a great way to build confidence, gain insight, and feel part of a collaborative professional community.”

This academic year we have focussed on the progress of the implementation of the new Extended Essay guide and World Studies EE. This followed on from sessions last year and the IBSCA March conference and developed into a four session ‘deep dive’ with very interesting case studies. To complement this element of the Core, we invited ToK teachers for a fantastic shared debate on the ToK Exhibition, which showcased interesting and varied approaches.

“When I was going through the evaluation, having the panel with the IBWS managers and other coordinators who went through it was "life changing for me", as it clarified so many aspects that confused me with the new PSP. The resources shared on that day saved me during the process.” So naturally we followed up on last year’s session and got together to discuss this Evaluation again : “The meetings are very important to me as they give me the opportunity to connect with other DPCs, hear how others are experiencing the same challenges as me and to get ideas about how to do things differently.”

We ran some sessions for new coordinators on routine aspects of coordination, such as IA submission and how to get ready for exam season. In this context, we revisited the challenges that generative AI pose for schools and shared some useful practical tips: “When I started as a new DPC, I could not imagine surviving the first year without these meetings. They were always scheduled at the right time and tackled exactly what I needed to know at that point in the year. The community is so friendly and supportive, and everyone is happy to help.”

Support from IBO staff has been incredibly helpful:

Beth Shotton (IB Recognition Manager) offered incredibly informative insights into her work with universities and offered Higher Education advice which led to immediate action in schools: “Following the session with Beth Shotton, I was able to take time in a meeting with our HE counsellors to signpost more of the IB resources available.”

Guillermo Duff followed his hugely popular session on Evaluation prep with a helpful meeting on where to find what: documents on the PRC, Nano learning resources on the IBO website and a general signpost to IB documents. “Being a part of the community meetings brings me a lot of reassurance.  It's nice to know that I'm not the only one that finds the IB information a little hard to find."

Elena Gandolla and Chris Stephenson (IB Digital Assessment School Support Associate Managers) delivered a follow up session from the March Conference, where they alleviated DPCs concerns about Digital Assessment and helped us understand the requirements and how to prep for the transition.

A reminder form me that the recordings of all our DP Community meetings are available in our Google Drive (contact IBSCA for access), I wish you a very successful and happy results day in July, before I leave you with more of your colleagues’ thoughts. See you in September?

“I started as DPC in September 2025 with a large cohort of Year 13 pupils; I honestly couldn't have coped without the support of Simone and the other Coordinators during the IBSCA seminars. The pool of knowledge shared by the more experienced Coordinators has been invaluable and saved me many hours scrolling through the PRC!”

“Honestly, I have come away from every session with a notebook full of ideas and inspiration to improve and broaden our IB offering - huge thank you to all involved.”

“The DP Community meetings are an essential source of oxygen in the busy day to day whirl of this role. As a new coordinator three years ago, the meetings were an invaluable source of support, wisdom and practical advice.”

“The meetings are very inclusive. Everyone is made to feel welcome and valued. People with questions or concerns are heard and as much support as possible is always offered by others.”

“Everyone is happy to share their experience, their way of doing certain things, and we all learn from each other no matter how many times you have done it. The fact of having Simone so hands on with everything is also very helpful as she asks the right questions and pushes us to guide the conversation to what actually matters for us and reminds us of our roles as pedagogical leaders.”

And finally: “It is worth making a little bit of time to be there. I always feel better for these meetings.” Ditto!

Simone Lorenz-Weir

DP Community Lead

IBSCA