Curriculum
How we Learn – The individual at the centre
The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) places the individual learner at the heart of its educational philosophy, with a strong emphasis on educating the whole child. Rooted in a holistic approach, the PYP supports students’ academic, social, emotional, and physical development. Teaching and learning are inquiry-driven, transdisciplinary, and student-centered, fostering curiosity and ownership of learning.
Unlike other Curriculums, which are more content-heavy and prescriptive, the PYP promotes deep conceptual understanding, student agency, and authentic, real-world connections. This approach prepares students to be adaptable and future-ready, equipping them with essential life skills such as problem-solving, collaboration, and critical thinking, essential skills that empower learners to navigate an increasingly complex and unpredictable world.
8 Ways in which PYP Students Excel
Students who study in the PYP are not just learning content — they are learning to think deeply, care about others, manage themselves, and apply knowledge in the real world. Here are 8 ways how PYP students often excel compared to students in other curriculums.
Concept-driven curriculum
The exploration and re-exploration of concepts lead students towards an appreciation of ideas that transcend disciplinary boundaries. Students gradually work towards a deepening of their conceptual understanding as they approach those concepts from a range of perspectives. The PYP also believes that a concept-driven curriculum helps the learner to construct meaning through improved critical thinking and the transfer of knowledge.
Transdisciplinary themes
Students explore significant concepts through units of inquiry. The six transdisciplinary themes that guide units of inquiry in each PYP school year are:
- 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
BBIS PYP teachers work collaboratively to develop a Programme of Inquiry (POI) to reflect the unique aspects of our school’s community and these six transdisciplinary themes. The POI builds a whole-school, long-term curriculum plan for learning based on our specific context. Each year the units of inquiry build on previous learning and are age-appropriate.