As the world becomes more interconnected and borders continue to blur, education is evolving alongside it
The International Primary Curriculum (IPC) is an educational frameworks designed to provide a holistic, engaging, and globally focused approach to learning for children aged 3–11 years. It’s emphasis is on a thematic, cross-curricular learning to ensure children acquire knowledge, skills, and understanding in a meaningful and interconnected way.
IPC Focus
The IPC focuses on three key goals: academic learning, where children develop subject knowledge and skills; personal development, which fosters qualities like adaptability, resilience, and collaboration; and international-mindedness, which promotes an understanding of global perspectives and cultural diversity.
The curriculum encourages active, inquiry-based learning, where children explore concepts through hands-on activities, group projects, and critical thinking tasks. By integrating personal learning goals with rigorous academic content, the IPC helps children become confident, independent thinkers. The emphasis on international awareness prepares them to navigate an interconnected world with empathy and understanding.
Knowledge
Skills
Understanding
Art, Design Technology, Geography, History and Science and International are taught using the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). This is a comprehensive, thematic, creative curriculum with a clear process of learning and with specific learning goals for the subjects, for international mindedness and for personal learning. The IPC has been designed to ensure rigorous learning but also to help teachers make all learning exciting, active and meaningful for children. Learning with the IPC takes a global approach; helping children to connect their learning to where they are living now as well as looking at the learning from the perspective of other people in other countries. The IPC is used by schools in more than 90 countries around the world. Through the provision of a well-balanced curriculum the children will be encouraged to develop their academic and personal skills to their highest possible level. We aim for them to take greater responsibility for developing and driving their own learning forward. We provide them with opportunities to ask questions, to make links across the curriculum by using and applying their knowledge, skills and understanding across different subjects and to reflect on their next steps.
Personal Learning Goals
Personal Learning Goals are an important element of the IPC. By integrating these goals into daily routines, lessons, and interactions, children develop essential life skills.
For instance, promoting cooperation through group activities teaches children to work effectively with others, enhancing teamwork and empathy. Similarly, emphasizing resilience helps them face challenges confidently, equipping them with problem-solving abilities and a positive mindset.
At NISL, we use a shared vocabulary to embed these goals into all school life, cultivating a sense of international-mindedness and respect for diversity. By practicing thoughtfulness and morality, children learn to value ethical behaviour and make responsible decisions. These traits are vital for developing strong character and emotional intelligence. By fostering adaptability and inquiry, they become curious, flexible thinkers, ready to embrace new ideas and environments.
Embedding these goals into school life ensures that children not only achieve academic success but also grow into reflective, responsible, and empathetic individuals, ready to contribute meaningfully to their communities and the wider world.
International Mindedness
The IPC is unique in defining International Learning Goals that help young children begin the move towards an increasingly sophisticated national, international, global and intercultural perspective and develop a sense of ‘international mindedness’. Each IPC unit has embedded within it, across the different subjects, learning-focused activities that help children start developing a global awareness and gain an increasing sense of themselves, their community and the world around them, as well as inspiring positive action and engagement with local and global issues.