Nurturing Young Learners: Our Private Primary School Programme
We offer an enriching and well-rounded education that goes beyond academics. We offer the globally recognised International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP), providing students with the foundation they need to become lifelong learners and compassionate global citizens.
IB Primary Years Programme
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) caters to children between the ages of 4 and 12. The programme focuses on developing the whole child by addressing not only academic needs but also social, emotional, physical, and cultural growth. Our international primary school in Singapore offers a trans-disciplinary approach, drawing individual disciplines together into a coherent whole while preserving the essence of each subject.
At the heart of the PYP philosophy is inquiry-based learning, where teachers and students are guided by key inquiry questions as they design curricular units for exploration and study. This allows students to:
- Develop a deep understanding of important concepts
- Conduct research into knowledge that has local and global significance
- Acquire and practice a range of essential skills
- Develop positive attitudes towards learning, the environment, and other people
- Have the opportunity to be involved in responsible action and social service
The Programme of Inquiry (POI) outlines the units of study at each grade level, with lessons often integrated with specialist subjects to provide a cohesive learning experience.
For more information about the PYP, visit the IB PYP website.
Benefits of the IB PYP
The IB PYP offers a holistic approach to education that focuses on the development of the whole child. Here are some key benefits:
- Holistic Development: Focuses on intellectual, social, emotional, and physical growth.
- Inquiry-Based Learning: Encourages curiosity and deep engagement with the learning process.
- Global Awareness: Promotes understanding of global issues and local contexts.
- Skill Development: Equips students with essential skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, and communication.
- Personal Growth: Builds positive attitudes towards learning, the environment, and others.
ISS aims to provide a strong foundation for future learning, encouraging students to take responsibility for their learning and develop a love of discovery.
Why Choose Our IB PYP?
Choosing the right education for your child is crucial to their development. At ISS International School, we make fostering curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking a priority.
A Holistic Approach to Education
The IB PYP focuses on developing the intellectual, social, emotional, and physical growth of each child. We believe in educating the whole child, ensuring they develop not just academically but also socially and emotionally, preparing them to navigate the complexities of the world.
Hands-On Learning
Students are encouraged to explore topics that interest them, ask questions, and seek answers through investigation and reflection. This method empowers children to take charge of their learning, building independence and a love of discovery.
Global Perspective
Our students gain a global perspective through the IB PYP curriculum, which emphasises international-mindedness and the importance of understanding and respecting diverse cultures and viewpoints. With a strong focus on global issues and local contexts, students are equipped to make a positive impact on the world.
Strong Supportive Community
At ISS, we create a supportive, inclusive, and nurturing environment where children feel safe, valued, and motivated to learn. Our small class sizes and dedicated staff ensure that each student receives personalised attention and guidance throughout their learning journey.
IB Primary Years Programme Curriculum Framework Overview
The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme is built on a coherent, concept-driven framework that guides learning from early childhood through the upper primary years. At ISS, this IB Primary Years Programme curriculum framework provides structure and consistency while allowing students to explore ideas deeply, make meaningful connections, and develop as active participants in their learning.
Concept-Based Learning
At the heart of the PYP curriculum is a focus on key concepts such as form, function, causation, and perspective. Rather than memorising facts, students are encouraged to explore big ideas, ask thoughtful questions, and understand how knowledge connects across disciplines within an international primary education setting.
Transdisciplinary Learning
The IB Primary Years Programme in Singapore is organised around transdisciplinary themes that bring subjects together into purposeful units of inquiry. This approach allows students to see learning as interconnected, reflecting real-world contexts and supporting a deeper understanding within an international primary school setting in Singapore.
Approaches to Learning (ATL)
Students develop essential learning skills through the IB PYP curriculum, including thinking, communication, social, research, and self-management skills. These approaches equip learners with strategies they can apply across subjects, fostering independence and confidence in both academic and personal contexts.
Learner Profile Development
The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme places strong emphasis on nurturing the IB Learner Profile. Through daily learning experiences, students develop attributes such as being caring, principled, open-minded, and reflective, shaping them into balanced learners prepared for future stages of education.
IB PYP Subjects
The Primary Years Programme offers a broad and balanced range of subjects that support academic development while encouraging curiosity and creativity. Learning is integrated across subjects to reflect the holistic nature of the IB Primary Programme.
Language
Students develop strong communication skills through reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Language learning supports expression, comprehension, and critical thinking, forming a foundation for inquiry across the international primary curriculum.
Mathematics
Mathematics in the PYP curriculum emphasises understanding, reasoning, and problem-solving. Students explore mathematical concepts through real-life contexts, building confidence and fluency in numeracy.
Science
Science learning encourages curiosity about the natural world. Through investigation and observation, students develop inquiry skills and scientific understanding aligned with the goals of international primary education.
Social Studies
Students explore societies, cultures, and environments, developing awareness of local and global contexts. This subject supports international-mindedness, a core focus of international primary schools in Singapore.
Arts
Visual arts, music, and drama provide opportunities for creative expression. The arts play an essential role in nurturing imagination and supporting emotional and cultural development.
Personal, Social and Physical Education (PSPE)
PSPE supports students’ physical wellbeing, social awareness, and emotional resilience. Learning in this area encourages healthy lifestyles and positive relationships within a private primary education environment.
IB Curriculum for Early Years (Ages 4–6)
Our early years programme follows the IB Primary Years Programme curriculum framework, offering a developmentally appropriate approach for young learners within a nurturing private primary school setting in Singapore.
Play-Based Inquiry
Learning through play is a central part of the IB PYP approach in Singapore for the early years. Purposeful play allows children to explore ideas, ask questions, and naturally develop social and cognitive skills.
Holistic Development
The IB Primary programme supports intellectual, social, emotional, and physical growth. Learning experiences are designed to respect each child’s pace of development while encouraging curiosity and independence.
Mixed-Age Learning
Mixed-age classrooms promote collaboration, peer learning, and confidence. Younger students learn from older peers, while older students develop leadership skills within an international primary school in Singapore.
Language and Social Foundations
Early years learning places strong emphasis on communication, social interaction, and emotional development. These foundations support a smooth transition into the primary years of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme.
IB Curriculum for Primary School Students (Ages 7–12)
As students progress, the IB Primary Years Programme in Singapore deepens conceptual understanding and academic rigour while maintaining a strong inquiry-based approach.
Structured Units of Inquiry
Students engage in well-planned units aligned with the IB Primary Years Programme curriculum framework, allowing them to explore significant concepts across subjects in meaningful ways.
Skill Development and Independence
The IB PYP curriculum places increasing emphasis on research, critical thinking, and self-management. Students learn to take ownership of their learning, preparing them for future academic pathways.
Global and Local Connections
Learning encourages students to connect global perspectives with local Singapore contexts. This balance strengthens international-mindedness within international primary schools in Singapore.
Student Agency and Action
Older primary students are encouraged to apply their learning through responsible action. This reflects the values of the international primary education model, empowering students to make a positive difference.
Curriculum
The IB PYP curriculum is designed to nurture young learners from ages 4 to 12. It focuses on inquiry-based learning, encouraging students to explore key concepts and themes across a broad range of subjects. Students are also taught to develop essential skills such as critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and self-management.
The programme is structured around six transdisciplinary themes that help students make connections across subject areas, promoting a holistic understanding of the world.
EAL Support
For students learning English as an Additional Language (EAL), ISS incorporates strategies that align with our EAL and Language Guidelines. These guidelines ensure that EAL learners are supported in accessing the curriculum while developing their English proficiency. This commitment to inclusivity helps all students feel valued and capable of achieving their best.
Learning Environment
We believe that children are naturally curious and full of wonder, with an innate ability to question and pursue their learning and research. At ISS International School, our educational values and image of the child are communicated and supported by carefully planned learning environments.
- Physical Space: The physical learning environment is designed to support learning objectives, as well as the unique needs of young children. The arrangement of objects and activities encourages children to make choices, manipulate, create and represent their ideas and understanding. Displays serve as a continual reminder of children’s learning and points of engagement to support inquiries within the IB PYP framework.
- Organisation: Our classroom time remains flexible within a balanced academic programme while continuing to respond to the emerging needs and interests of students. Each day, children play a role in proposing activities. We show respect for children’s learning by not interrupting their sustained involvement in projects when it is not mandatory for a transition to occur.
- Connecting to Nature: Experiences with the natural world encourage children to use all of their senses to explore and discover. As children work with natural materials, they learn about their role using the physical properties of their world. Our IB PYP supports engagement with nature inside and outside of the classroom.
Our inquiry-based learning environment encourages children to develop these capacities and participate actively in exploring and problem-solving. Our teachers view children as competent partners in the learning experience and understand that each child has a unique pattern of growth and development.
Relationships and Interactions
Our safe and nurturing atmosphere encourages children to build confidence and take risks. As a leading international primary school in Singapore, we believe that children feel most safe, secure and supported when their sense of shared ownership and belonging is emphasised. Children learn about themselves and the world and construct their own identities within the context of their families and communities. Connections to home and family are viewed as integral to learning and are a visible part of curriculum planning and the environment. Children work together as a learning group, fostering their competencies and making collaborative discoveries.
Play
Play is essential for young children’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. Through play, children express, combine, and extend what they know about the world around them, incorporating their knowledge and skills. Children regularly participate in various kinds of play, which can be either child-led or teacher-initiated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme?
The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme is a globally recognised framework for children aged 4 to 12. It focuses on inquiry-based learning, holistic development, and international-mindedness within an international primary setting.
Is the IB PYP suitable for expatriate and local families?
Yes, the programme is open to students of all nationalities. As an international school in Singapore, ISS welcomes both expatriate and local families who are seeking an international primary education.
How are students assessed in the IB PYP?
Assessment in the PYP curriculum is ongoing and formative, focusing on students’ progress rather than formal exams. Teachers use observations, projects, and reflections to understand each child’s learning and development.
Does the IB PYP use grades or exams?
The IB PYP in Singapore does not rely on traditional grades or standardised exams. Instead, learning is assessed through feedback, portfolios, and demonstrations of understanding aligned with the IB Primary programme.
What subjects are taught in the IB PYP?
Students study language, mathematics, science, social studies, the arts, and PSPE. These subjects are integrated through inquiry, reflecting the approach used by leading private primary schools in Singapore.
How does the IB PYP prepare students for later years?
The Primary Years Programme builds strong foundations in thinking skills, communication, and independence. These skills support a smooth transition into middle school and future IB programmes.
Is the IB PYP recognised internationally?
Yes, the programme is globally recognised and offered by accredited international primary schools in Singapore. It provides continuity for families relocating between countries.
Why choose ISS for IB primary education?
ISS offers a supportive, inclusive environment with small class sizes and personalised learning. As a private primary school in Singapore, we combine academic excellence with care, community, and a global perspective.
