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.
The IB PYP Curriculum
The IB PYP curriculum is designed to nurture young learners from ages 3 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.
Early Years
At ISS International School, our Kindergarten programme (K1 and K2) is for children aged 4 to 6. We follow the IB PYP curriculum framework to provide an inquiry-based learning experience that caters to both academic and developmental needs. This mixed-age approach also encourages children to explore, ask questions, and engage with their peers in collaborative learning. By incorporating current research and best practices in early childhood education, we ensure that each student is prepared for lifelong learning in a nurturing and stimulating environment.
The 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.
The IB Primary Years Programme (IB PYP)
The PYP offers the framework for learning in Primary School at ISS International School.
Subjects offered for each Grade:
K1
Arts
Language
Mathematics
Personal; Social and Physical Education
Science
Social Studies
K2
Arts
Language
Mathematics
Personal; Social and Physical Education
Science
Social Studies
G1
Literacy – English
Mandarin
Mathematics
Performing Arts
Physical Education
Visual Arts
G2
Literacy – English
Mandarin
Mathematics
Performing Arts
Physical Education
Visual Arts
G3
Literacy – English
Mandarin
Mathematics
Performing Arts
Physical Education
Visual Arts
G4
Literacy – English
Mandarin
Mathematics
Performing Arts
Physical Education
Visual Arts
G5
Literacy – English
Mandarin
Mathematics
Performing Arts
Physical Education
Visual Arts
EAL Support
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.
Learning Support
In keeping with our mission, vision and values, ISS aims to help each student to reach his or her potential by maintaining an inclusive, nurturing, enriching and empowering learning culture. Once we determine student eligibility for our Learning Support program and confirm that we have sufficient staff and resources to support the student, a student plan is created including learning strengths, challenges, accommodations, goals, teaching strategies, and level of adjustment. Our ISS Learning Support Team, familiar with learning profiles and strategies for differentiated instruction, supports students in our inclusive environment.
Determination of Learning Support
Students with current psycho-educational reports are assigned a case manager. If a student presenting learning needs has not been formally assessed, we follow our Learning Support Referral Process. Eligible students are placed on one of four Levels of Adjustment, reflecting the amount and type of support needed: Levels of Adjustment.
To participate in inclusive classrooms, Level 1 students require in-class differentiated support in a specific area of learning above that which is provided to all students. Level 2 students require accommodations across one or more areas of learning. Level 3 students require significant accommodations or modifications across more than one area of learning. Level 4 students require significant modifications in multiple areas of learning and support of a shadow teacher.
Please refer to this link for information on our Learning Support guidelines.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are foreigners eligible for IB PYP?
Yes, foreign students can enroll in the programme at private primary schools in Singapore. The programme is open to students of all nationalities and provides a globally recognised education that encourages critical thinking and creativity.
How does the IB PYP compare to traditional education in Singapore?
Unlike traditional education in Singapore, which often emphasises exams and memorisation, the IB PYP focuses on inquiry-based learning, student-led exploration, and interdisciplinary connections.
What are the benefits of enrolling my child in an international primary school in Singapore?
An international primary school like ISS offers a diverse, globally focused education with an emphasis on inquiry-based learning, multilingual development, and cultural awareness. Students benefit from a holistic approach that nurtures academic excellence, creativity, and personal growth in a supportive environment.
