IT'S INTERNATIONAL and almost unpronounceable but the baccalaureate has emerged as a serious contender to replace the long-established A-level.

But down in the New Forest, the course is already up and running and garnering ever more supporters.

Rocked by a summer marking scandal and endless accusations of dumbing down, A-levels have rarely been out of the headlines.

Now Education Secretary Charles Clarke has announced former schools inspection chief Mike Tomlinson is to look at options for replacing it, and chief among them is the International Bacc-alaureate.

The IB is no young upstart. It has been around for more than 30 years and is recognised around the globe - a version of it is even the standard French qualification.

At Brockenhurst College, students have been taking the course for the past three years and staff there couldn't be happier with their progress. It is the only state provider of the IB in the area.

College curriculum manager David Vasse said: "We have got 23 students at the moment but we have had significant interest this year. It is clearly going to increase in size. There's a real upsurge in interest as people find out about it and they realise it is going to offer greater breadth and diversity. It is a superb qualification."

If the country does switch to the IB, it will be an even bigger change than the momentous move to GCSEs from O-levels. Its structure is very different from A-

levels and ensures students don't

specialise too early.

Essentially, students take six subjects, three major and three minor. Each pupil must take a maths, world literature and modern language course, but that can be as a major or minor element of the course. The remaining three subjects can be picked from a comprehensive list of 17 options.

Students also have to produce a 4,000-word final year essay and, during the course, take part in some voluntary or creative work outsiden the curriculum.

The eclectic mix of elements is behind its burgeoning popularity, reckons Mr Vasse.

"It offers students the chance to study six subjects but also rewards them for their non-academic approach," he said.

"On the IB you are required to get into other activities and it is recognised as part of the diploma.

"We have students who have got involved with horse-riding for the disabled. Students also go into welfare situations. Also there is music and drama - it all contributes, anything that broadens the mind and horizons."

When students have finished their course, they are presented with a diploma which grades them on each subject out of seven, with a six being the equivalent of an A. There are extra marks available for the extended essay.

The new format doesn't cause universities any problems, says Mr Vasse.

"Universities understand it really well. Our first cohort all went to university with no difficulty. In fact, we felt universities were giving them good offers.

"It is also very much international. There are quite a few institutions in every continent in the world that would recognise and understand it."

For more details, call Brockenhurst College on 01590 625555 or visit www.brock.ac.uk