PYP

The Primary Years Programme of the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) forms the basis for the BCS curriculum. It was developed especially for international schools worlwide and leads up to the IB Diploma Programme. BCS currently has a „PYP candidate status“ at the IBO and is awaiting authorisation by fall of 2011.

The PYP curriculum is based on the following:

International Awareness: The curriculum combines the most successful pedagogical concepts worldwide and enables students to change schools internationally without difficulty.

Inquiry-based Learning: The PYP is devoted to learning, building upon knowledge and experiences, developing the most appropriate learning methods and finding out about things one would like to know more about.

Integrated Thinking: Math, languages, art, sciences and social studies are taught by means of interdisciplinary themes in order for the students to recognize correlations.

The IB Learner Profile

BCS students following the PYP Curriculum acquire the following attributes:

Inquirers


Students develop their natural curiosity. They aquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning. They actively enjoy learning and this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives.

Knowlegeable


Children explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance. In so doing, they inquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.

Thinkers


Students exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions.

Communicators

They understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.

Principled


Students act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups and communities. They take responsibilities for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them.

Open-minded


They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.

Caring


Children show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. They have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment.

Risk-takers

They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.

Balanced

They understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others.

Reflective


Students give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development.