IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)

Inquiry-Based Learning

At the heart of the enhanced PYP is concept-based inquiry, a pedagogical approach that encourages students to explore the world around them and deepen their understanding through curiosity-driven inquiry. This process empowers students to move from current knowledge to new insights, sparking a lifelong journey of learning.

Learning how to learn is essential in the IB, which is why Approaches to Learning are an integral part of the curriculum. These skills help students become self-regulated, active learners who can apply their knowledge in diverse contexts. Through the development of these interrelated skills, students become confident, agentic learners ready to navigate the challenges of the future.

Holistic Development in the Early Years

The PYP recognizes that young learners grow, develop, and learn at different rates. In the early years, learning is a holistic experience that integrates social-emotional, physical, and cognitive development. Play is a key vehicle for inquiry, providing intentional opportunities for hands-on learning and child-initiated exploration. Through play, students build and test theories, ask questions, and deepen their understanding of the world. Relationships with peers, teachers, and the broader community further support this process of inquiry.

Transdisciplinary Themes and Units of Inquiry

The PYP emphasizes the importance of traditional subjects while also highlighting the need to apply knowledge and skills to explore global, significant concepts. Each grade level engages with six transdisciplinary themes through units of inquiry, while the early years explore four units. Each unit focuses on a central idea and a set of lines of inquiry, which together form the school’s Programme of Inquiry.

These units have flexible timeframes to allow students to demonstrate prior knowledge, ask questions, experiment, research, collaborate, and construct new understanding. While integrated learning is a core aspect of the PYP, there is also dedicated time for subject-specific learning. In these moments, students are encouraged to think and act like mathematicians, artists, athletes, writers, and more.

Celebrating Learning

At ISE, we believe in celebrating and showcasing student learning in meaningful ways. Students have opportunities to present their work through class gatherings, digital portfolios, and school-wide presentations. Each year, we host one class assembly per grade, allowing students to present their learning in front of the entire school community. These assemblies are an exciting way to highlight their progress and foster a sense of accomplishment. In the Autumn, we hold Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences, where parents can engage with teachers to discuss their child’s progress. In the Spring, our Student-led Conferences offer students the opportunity to take the lead in presenting their learning to their parents, encouraging self-reflection and ownership of their educational journey.

Student-Initiated Action and Agency

The PYP recognizes that student-initiated action is an essential part of the learning process. Students are encouraged to reflect on their learning and take actions that benefit not only themselves but also the broader community. Through action,agency, and the learner profile, we help students develop the confidence to make a positive impact on the world, fostering a sense of global responsibility and the drive to enact meaningful change.

IB PYP Parent Pack