The Anglo European School in Essex is a beacon of diversity, welcoming pupils from across London and Essex. It offers a unique opportunity by providing both A-level studies or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, which presents students with a broader and more comprehensive curriculum. This diploma is not merely about passing tests; it's about developing an understanding of the community and world around you, critical thinking, and research skills through extended essays and commitment to academic exploration. But the government will stop the Large Program Uplift (LPU) funding for 16-19 year study programmes, including the International Baccalaureate from next year‘s academic year.

Currently, 76 independent schools in the UK offer the IB programme. Disturbingly, only 55 state schools nationally teach the IB, and a mere 20 of these provide the IB Diploma programme. This disparity is a significant concern because it highlights the inequality in educational opportunities between students in state and independent schools. Every student should have access to an education that prepares them fully for the challenges of the future, regardless of their financial background.

To bridge this education gap, it is crucial that the government continue to provides funding for state schools to offer the IB Diploma. With government support, schools like the Anglo European School can continue to offer this distinctive and enriching programme to all its students, nurturing diverse, skilled, and well-rounded individuals. 

Let's urge the government to prioritise funding for the IB Diploma in state schools to ensure a fair and inclusive education system for everyone. Sign this petition to demand equality in educational opportunities and empower every student for a brighter future.

The government has taken this decision without it actually going through a consultation and it didn’t provide any previous warning to the affected schools. Students who have committed to an IB diploma in good faith and who have worked extensively to meet the higher educational standards are now at risk of losing access to their IB diploma and teachers are losing their jobs. This is causing disruption to the students currently studying on an IB diploma course.