What is the International Baccalaureate Curriculum?

 

The curriculum at ISN is developed using the International Baccalaureate (IB) frameworks with the inclusion of Fijian characteristics and culture. Using the IB frameworks ensures a consistent approach to learning throughout the school and aligns to global standards.

The IB frameworks emphasise a student–centred approach. Learners are encouraged to develop their own understanding through a process of inquiry and share their understanding in different ways.  Teachers guide and monitor, ask relevant questions and encourage deep learning. Differentiated learning is catered for by the depth of the questions being investigated and the way in which students demonstrate what they have learned.

International School Nadi is one of the few schools worldwide that exclusively offers the IB Progamme continuum::

  • The Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) provides a coherent educational framework for students aged 3 to 11 that focuses on the development of the whole child in the classroom and in the world outside.
  • The Middle Years Programme (IB MYP) is an international concept based course for students aged 11 to 16. It provides a framework of academic challenges that encourages students to become critical, reflective inquirers.
  • The Diploma Programme (IB DP) is a rigorous, academically challenging and balanced programme of education designed to prepare students aged 16 to 19 for success at university and life beyond.

The IB Programmes focus holistically on the developing child, encompassing ethical, social, physical, emotional and cultural growth in addition to academic development. The programmes are designed to develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary for students to become independent life-long learners able to participate actively and responsibly in a rapidly changing and increasingly interconnected world. Students are encouraged to celebrate and respect other cultures with the goal of promoting international mindedness.

Commencing during the PYP and compulsory in the MYP and DP, students take part in community service experiences, demonstrating an awareness of their role as responsible global citizens. As they progress through the three programmes, students also develop the 10 personal qualities described in the IB Learner Profile. IB Learners are

  • Inquirers
  • Thinkers
  • Knowledgeable
  • Communicators
  • Caring
  • Risk-takers
  • Principled
  • Open-minded
  • Reflective
  • Balanced

There is also a focus throughout the three programmes on five Approaches to Learning (AtL):

  • Thinking Skills,
  • Communication Skills,
  • Social Skills,
  • Self-management Skills and
  • Research Skills.

Further details about each programme may be found on the relevant pages of this website or at the IBO website, www.ibo.org