Our international primary school curriculum
Our primary students follow the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), which combines specialist subject teaching with a breadth of creative, sporting, and leadership opportunities that will nurture your child’s personal and academic development.
In our supportive learning environment, your child will:
- Develop their knowledge in the core subjects, as well as social studies and foreign languages.
- Express themselves creatively through enriching music and art programmes.
- Enjoy sports and physical activities that develop their motor and teamwork skills.
- Learn in small class sizes and make friends with peers from all over the world.
- Follow personalised academic programmes that are based on their needs and interests.
- Go on trips in and around Rotterdam and The Netherlands.
- Become caring, principled, and empathetic learners by following our Core Values Programme.
About the IPC
The IPC is a thematic, creative programme, with clear personal, subject, and learning goals. A truly flexible curriculum, the IPC can be adapted to each student’s interests, strengths, and level of understanding.
The IPC Subject Goals assess a child’s knowledge, skills and understanding in specific areas, including maths, science, technology, history, geography, music, PHE, and art and society.
The eight IPC Personal Goals – enquiry, resilience, morality, communication, thoughtfulness, cooperation, respect, and adaptability – are embedded into each unit of work.
The IPC Learning Goals raise our students’ awareness of national, international, and intercultural viewpoints. The IPC has over 130 different thematic units, designed to appeal to different interests and teach students about the world around them. Themed units also help them to see subjects as both independent and interdependent. This facilitates ‘big picture’ learning, where connections are made across different subjects and from multiple perspectives.
Modern languages
Our students study a language every day. As well as Dutch as a Foreign Language, we also offer Dutch as a Native Language. This programme is designed for our native Dutch speakers.
Technology
To make sure our students have the skills they need to meet the challenges of our rapidly changing world, we run an integrated technology programme, guided by International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standards. We also teach digital citizenship, which covers safe and appropriate ways to use the internet, social media, and wider technology. Our students can learn computer programming, too.
Physical and health education (PHE)
Our PHE programme includes games, gymnastics, athletics, and skill development. Our Year 2-6 students also enjoy swimming, and work towards their Dutch A, B and C diplomas. Our swimming programme has four main elements: stroke work, water safety, pool games and activities, and basic life-saving skills.
STEAM
Our primary science, technology, engineering, arts, and maths (STEAM) programme is delivered in collaboration with MIT. Your child will ‘invent the future’ through practical challenges and hands-on problem solving, developing important transferable skills such as creativity, curiosity, resilience, and resourcefulness.
