A QUALIFICATION usually associated with academies and independent schools is to be offered by a Derbyshire state secondary school for the first time.

Mill Hill School has become the first state school in Derbyshire to be authorised to offer the International Baccalaureate qualification.

It comes just 12 months after inspectors issued the school a clean bill of health after giving it a notice to improve in February 2008 because it fell below Government standards.

But it has now sufficiently improved to take on the new qualification, which is offered widely across Europe and is an alternative to A-level studies.

The Ripley school was approved by the International Baccalaureate organisation following a strict assessment.

Dr Sarah Clark, head of post-16 education, said: "It will allow our students an excellent opportunity to develop a global awareness in their education."

The IB is taught over a two-year period and is aimed at pupils aged between 16 and 19.

They study a broader range of subjects than typical A-level students, taking six subjects – three at standard level and three at higher level. Subjects include literature, language, social sciences, science, maths and arts.

They also have to write an extended essay of 4,000 words and take part in artistic, sporting and community pursuits.

The school will continue to offer A-levels and several vocational qualifications alongside the IB.

Pupil Matthew Wright, 15, said he thought the IB was a good alternative to A-levels.

He said: "I am interested in looking into this because it offers a wide variety of subjects and that's really important."

Fellow pupil Orianne Brown, also 15, said she thought the IB might offer her more opportunities than A-levels.

She said: "I may consider taking it because I think it would give me the opportunity to study at any university across the world."

Pupil Simon Johnson, also 15, thought the qualification would suit his interests.

He said: "The IB encourages community-related activities, which I do already, so I think the qualification would tie in really well with that."

Research carried out by ACS International Schools revealed an IB diploma is the most respected post-16 qualification among university admissions officers around the world.

Head teacher Sarah Graham said Dr Clark and the teachers at Mill Hill had brought pride to the school by their high quality, diligent work.

She said: "This external validation of the quality of our teaching is very important to us as a school."

De Ferrers Technology College, in Burton, and Thomas Alleyne's High School, in Uttoxeter, began offering the IB in 2008.