20 Waterside Plaza, New York, New York 10010 Tel: (212) 481-2700 Fax: (646) 607-5970 e-Mail: info@bis-ny.org - Parent PortaL
Primary Years Programme
Nursery - Year 6 (5th Grade)
The school’s distinctive curriculum combines the best of British education (the National Curriculum of England & Wales) with the teaching methodology of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IBPYP).
From Nursery through to Year 6 the in-depth, fast-paced, traditional disciplines of the English National Curriculum are taught through the dynamic, inquiry-based, interdisciplinary teaching approach of the IBPYP. This unique curriculum creates a well-grounded, dynamic learning environment. Pupils taught in this manner become confident, independent learners.
Foundation Stage
Our Nursery and Reception classes include children from three to five years of age. This part of our school is named the foundation stage.
The curriculum is structured around six goals:
- Personal, emotional and social language.
- Communication, language and literacy.
- Mathematical development.
- Knowledge and understanding of the world.
- Physical development.
- Creative development.
In the IBPYP it is acknowledged that experiences during the Early Years lay the foundation for all future learning.
Teachers support students' interests, build up their self esteem and confidence, respond to spontaneous events and support the development of skills in all cognitive areas in relevant ways.
Within the IBPYP, children are;
- seen as competent.
- encouraged to be curious, inquisitive, ask questions, explore and interact with the environment physically, socially and intellectually.
- supported in their efforts to become independent learners through learning outcomes and processes.
- differentiated to accommodate learning styles and a range of abilities.
- taught through a trans-disciplinary programme of international education.
Play is an integral part of our Foundation curriculum. We understand that through directed play your child can develop and use their own natural curiosity and imagination to learn about the world they live in.
All the children have the opportunity to take part in music with a specialist teacher, begin French and enjoy a variety of physical education environments.
The Primary Years Programme (IBPYP)
The aim of the International Baccalaureate (IB) is to develop pupils who are knowledgeable, principled, caring, open minded, well balanced and reflective. They can demonstrate the ability to think, enquire, communicate and take educational risks.
In order for each child to develop in the Primary Years Programme of the International Baccalaureate, there are teaching and integration of specific attitudes. These promote an effective school atmosphere for learning and equally importantly, develop citizens of the world at large, who model appreciation, confidence, empathy, commitment, co-operation, creativity, curiosity, enthusiasm, respect, integrity, tolerance and independence.
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, 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 curriculum framework consists of five essential elements: concepts, knowledge, skills, attitude, and action. The knowledge component is developed through inquiries into six transdisciplinary themes of global significance, supported and balanced by six subject areas. The content and assessment criteria for these concepts is taken from and levelled against the English National Curriculum.
Following completion of the IB PYP in Year 6 (5th Grade), our students transition into the English National Curriculums’ Key Stage 3. This transition offers our students the best possible curricular model as they start to specialize and prepare for their next stage of education.
