Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) forms part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) core alongside Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay. Students dedicate time each week to participate in creative, active and volunteering pursuits, as well as carrying out a long-term collaborative project. If you are involved in taking the Duke of Edinburgh award then your commitment can be credited for your CAS as well.
All students receive advice and guidance about their CAS from an advisory teacher on a one-to-one basis throughout their IB course.
CAS recognises efforts beyond academic work as well as showing potential Higher Education establishments and employers that you are an active, interested, well-rounded individual. It actively encourages students to reflect on their learning and to undertake new challenges.
CAS inspires students to:
- Increase awareness of their own strengths and areas for growth
- Develop new skills through new experiences
- Plan and initiate activities
- Work collaboratively with others
- show perseverance and commitment
- Engage with issues of global importance and consider the ethical implications of their actions
The requirements attached to CAS led me to try new activities and develop my skills in areas that I would otherwise have ignored, broadening my knowledge and skillset, making me a much more rounded individual than I otherwise would have been. This roundedness is important to me, and was my primary reason for choosing the IB over A levels. During my CAS I covered a range of activities, from music, to running, to teaching and IT support. This breadth of experience is something that I had not previously foreseen, but was really important to my development as a person and as an IB student.
Alex, Year 13
Students are able to take part in a range of enrichment activities from sports to debating. If there is a society or activity you would like to see but which we don’t currently run, then please talk to us and we’ll support you in starting it up. This approach allows you to bank hours for service to the community as well as creative or active hours when you then take part.