The CAS programme is seen as such an important component of the IB diploma that it is an UWCEA graduation requirement. UWCEA feels strongly that through this programme students can learn more about themselves and their own potential and about their relationship and responsibility to the society around them. The CAS programme offers the opportunity for students to put themselves in new situations. Whatever a student chooses to do they will learn from their reactions to it, to people and needs they have not met before and students often create their own initiatives and ideas in response to an experience.

All D1 and D2 students are expected to follow a balanced programme of involvement. The three strands of CAS enhance students’ personal and interpersonal development through experiential learning and enable journeys of self- discovery. CAS encourages IB students to share their energies and special talents while developing awareness, concern and the ability to work cooperatively with others. Sample CAS experiences include the following:

Students must keep regular records of experiences undertaken and write reflections regularly about their response to the seven learning outcomes this is documented through a CAS Portfolio which they present during a series of interviews.

Each student must:

• Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth
• Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process
• Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience
• Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences
• Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively
• Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance
• Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions

In an addition to meeting each strand and the learning outcomes, students must complete a CAS project. This is a collaborative, longer term series of experiences involving one or more strands, for example organizing a school event.