Programme Outline at a Glance

RIS is now a candidate school for the Primary Years Programme (PYP) of the International Baccalaureate (IB). Within this international, concept-driven, inquiry-based curriculum we provide students with a foundation of essential concepts, knowledge, skills and attitudes. We also encourage our students to act responsibly and to reflect on their learning. A strong emphasis is placed on how students learn as well as on what they learn. Our students learn in a cooperative, caring environment, which promotes the development of each child’s individual potential.

IB Programmes

The IB programmes encourage students to be reflective, active and lifelong learners and critical thinkers. IB students are forever curious, fully engaged citizens, who both embrace their own culture and are open and responsive to other cultures and views. Founded in 1968, the IB currently works with over 2,838 schools in 138 countries to develop and offer three challenging programmes to over 783,000 students aged 3 to 19 years. Each programme includes a curriculum and pedagogy, student assessment, professional development for teachers and a process of school authorization and evaluation. The programmes can be used individually or as a continuum.

The Primary Years Programme for students aged 3 to 12 focuses on the development of the whole child in the classroom and in the world outside.

The Middle Years Programme for students aged 11 to 16 provides a framework of academic challenge and life skills, achieved through embracing and transcending traditional school subjects.

The Diploma Programme for students aged 16 to 19 is a demanding two-year curriculum leading to final examinations and a qualification that is welcomed by leading universities around the world.

The Primary Years Programme

The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) is designed for students aged 3 to 12. It focuses on the total growth of the developing child, touching hearts as well as minds and encompassing social, physical, emotional and cultural needs in addition to academic development.
The PYP draws on research and best practice from a range of national systems with a wealth of knowledge and experience from international schools to create a relevant, engaging, challenging and significant educational framework for all children.
The philosophy of the Primary Years Programme, as it directly affects the child, is expressed in a series of desired attributes and traits that characterize students with an international perspective. Taken together, they create a profile of PYP students.

Inquirers: They develop their natural curiosity. They acquire 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.

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

Thinkers: They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to pose and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions.

Communicators: They receive 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: They 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 responsibility for their own actions and the consequences tthat 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.

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.

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

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