Primary Years Programme (PYP)

ESF International Kindergartens are candidate schools* for the Primary Years Programme. These schools are pursuing authorization as IB World Schools. IB World Schools share a common philosophy-a commitment to high-quality, challenging, international education - something that we believe is important for our students.

PYP is an international curriculum model and teaching methodology for children aged 3-12 years.

Inquiry-Based Curriculum

We follow an inquiry based curriculum where children learn through exploration, hands-on experiences and play-based activities. Children are encouraged and motivated to learn through experiences of discovery, experimentation and reflection - working individually, in small groups and in whole class groups. Learning is organised under units of inquiry for children to acquire key skills and attitudes. Each child is considered individually in their learning journey as they may be at a different stage in their understanding and development to their peers.

The curriculum takes a 'whole child' view and all aspects of learning and development are given equal emphasis. Learning and development covers the following areas :

• Languages - English language and literacy: and Chinese as an additional language (not assessed)
• Social studies – early geography and history skills
• Mathematics
• Arts – music, dance and visual arts
• Science – early science and technology skills
• Personal, Social and Physical Education

Each of these curriculum areas is taught through a theme, also known as a unit of inquiry.

The Written Curriculum

Children's learning is arranged around a number of themes. We will cover four of the following themes in the course of a year.

• Who we are
• Where we are in place and time
• How we express ourselves
• How the world works
• How we organise ourselves
• Sharing the planet

A unit of inquiry is a block of learning based around one of these themes. Each unit of inquiry consists of a Central Idea – this is a big idea or concept. The whole unit of work aims to help the children understand this concept in depth.

Assessment

Assessment is an important part of each unit of inquiry. Children's knowledge will be informally assessed before a unit of inquiry begins and at the end of each unit teachers assess how well the children have understood main ideas and how well their skills have developed in each area. Assessment is always informal and usually through discussion, drawing or observing the children at an activity.

The PYP Student/Learner Profile

The Student or Learner Profile is central to the work of the PYP. These are a set of personal attributes that we encourage children to learn about and develop throughout their time at Kindergarten. The Kindergarten will assess and report on how your child is progressing in each of the following areas.

• Inquirers
• Thinkers
• Communicators
• Risk Takers
• Knowledgeable
• Principled
• Caring
• Open minded
• Balanced
• Reflective

More about PYP

To find out more about PYP, please feel free to join one of our kindergarten tours, or visit the IBO website http://www.ibo.org.

* Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its three academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP) or the Diploma Programme (and in addition the IB Career-related Certificate). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted. For further information about the IB and its programmes visit http://www.ibo.org.