The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme was developed in 1997. It is an international curriculum framework which is established in schools across the world. IB World schools are continually evaluated and accredited against international standards and practices. The International Baccalaureate programme provides an educational framework that is broad and balanced, conceptual and connected and that stimulates students to develop critical and analytical skills in order to apply them in ‘real life situation’. The IB learning strategy is based on real-world situations which not only makes learning more interesting but also helps students understand the relevance of what they are learning (source: International Baccalaureate IB: Everything You Need To Know (world-schools.com)) The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program is designed for students from Reception to Year 6 to foster the development of the whole child. It focuses on the total growth of the developing child, touching hearts as well as minds and encompassing social, physical, emotional and cultural needs in addition to academic development.
Learner Profile
The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people who, recognising their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.
The learner profile is a set of personal qualities that IB learners strive to develop in themselves. The community of learners, including students and adults involved in the PYP strive to be:
Inquirers, thinkers, communicators and risk takers so that we can be knowledgeable, principled, caring, open minded, balanced and reflective.
Inquiry
The PYP curriculum is based on the principle that structured purposeful inquiry is a powerful vehicle for real learning, learning which promotes genuine understanding and which challenges the students to engage with important global ideas. Inquiry is the process initiated by the students or the teacher. This process moves the students from their current level of understanding to a new and deeper level of understanding. This can mean exploring, wondering and questioning, making predictions and acting purposefully to see what happens, taking and defending a position and solving problems in a variety of ways. Answers provide a starting point for further study that promotes lifelong learning. Curriculum taught at each year level is outlined in a Programme of Inquiry which builds on prior learning and provides continuity of learning in the primary years. Belair Schools Programme of Inquiry can be viewed by following the link below. Students engage in 6 Units of Inquiry each year which cover each of the Transdisciplinary Themes. At the conclusion of each Unit of Inquiry, staff and children review, evaluate and celebrate their learning. An explicit expectation of the PYP is that successful inquiry will lead to responsible action, initiated by the student as a result of the learning process.
Authorisation
The accreditation process to become an IB PYP World School involves an application to become a candidate school, followed by a pre authorisation visit and then an authorisation visit from IB personnel. Assessment is made against an International set of Standards and Practices. Belair Schools will have an authorisation visit in September 2010. For more information regarding IBO Curriculum, Student Assessment and Philosophy visit the International Baccalaureate Organisation website using these links: