Quality for All and All for Quality
The motto above, “Quality for All and All for Quality”, was designed to represent all we stand for and value. It is the essence of our mission statement which itself encompasses the school’s vision & ambitions.
Mission Statement
IPS Hilversum is an IB World School that aims to provide high-quality primary education in English for pupils of all nationalities within the Dutch State system.
We provide each pupil with a diverse education in a safe, supportive environment that promotes self-discipline, motivation & excellence in learning.
International Education in Hilversum for ages 4-12 since 1986
Curriculum information
Group 2
IB learner profile
The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.
As IB learners we strive to be:
Inquirers
We nurture our curiosity, developing skills for inquiry and research. We know how to learn independently and with others. We learn with enthusiasm and sustain our love of learning throughout life.
Knowledgeable
We develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring knowledge across a range of disciplines. We engage with issues and ideas that have local and global significance.
Thinkers
We use critical and creative thinking skills to analyse and take responsible action on complex problems. We exercise initiative in making reasoned, ethical
decisions.
Communicators
We express ourselves confidently and creatively in more than one language and in many ways. We collaborate effectively, listening carefully to the perspectives of other individuals and groups.
Principled
We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere. We take
responsibility for our actions and their consequences.
Open-minded
We critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, as well as the values and traditions of others. We seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the experience.
Caring
We show empathy, compassion and respect. We have a commitment to service, and we act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and in the world around us.
Risk-takers
We approach uncertainty with forethought and determination; we work
independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas and innovative strategies. We are resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges and change.
Balanced
We understand the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives— intellectual, physical, and emotional—to achieve well-being for ourselves and others. We recognize our interdependence with other people and with the world in which we live.
Reflective
We thoughtfully consider the world and our own ideas and experience. We work to understand our strengths and weaknesses in order to support our learning and personal development.
The IB learner profile represents 10 attributes valued by IB World Schools. We believe these attributes, and others like them, can help individuals and groups become responsible members of local, national and global communities. © International Baccalaureate Organization 2013
The Transdisciplinary Themes
It is recognised that educating students in a set of isolated subject areas, while necessary, is not sufficient. Of equal importance is the need to acquire skills in context, and to explore content that is relevant to students, and transcends the boundaries of the traditional subjects.
Through acknowledging the diverse needs of the student — physical, social, intellectual, aesthetic, cultural — PYP schools ensure that the learning is engaging, relevant, challenging and significant for all learners.
What adds significance to student learning in the PYP is its commitment to a transdisciplinary model, whereby global themes frame the learning throughout the primary years, including in the early years. These themes promote an awareness of the human condition and an understanding that there is a commonality of human experience. The
students explore this common ground collaboratively, from the multiple perspectives of their individual experiences and backgrounds. This sharing of experience increases the students’ awareness of, and sensitivity to, the experiences of others beyond the local or national community. It is central to the programme and a critical element in developing an international perspective, which must begin with each student’s ability to consider and reflect upon the point of view of someone else in the same class.
These “transdisciplinary themes” promote an awareness of the human condition and an understanding that there is a commonality of human experience. These commonalities:
have global significance — for all students in all cultures
are supported by knowledge, concepts and skills from the traditional subject areas but utilize them in ways that transcend the confines of these subjects, thereby contributing to a transdisciplinary model of teaching and learning
will be revisited throughout the students’ years of schooling, so that the end result is immersion in broad-ranging, in-depth, articulated curriculum content
contribute to the common ground that unifies the curriculums in all PYP schools.
Students inquire into, and learn about, these globally significant issues in the context of units of inquiry, each of which addresses a central idea relevant to a particular transdisciplinary theme. Lines of inquiry are identified in order to explore the scope of the central idea for each unit.
These units collectively constitute the school’s programme of inquiry. The themes provide a basis for much discussion and interpretation within a school, and allow for both local and global perspectives to be explored in the units. For more information about the school’s programme of inquiry (POI) please refer to the school wide Curriculum Guidelines and/or the Programme of Inquiry document, both of which can be found on the school website.
Social Studies and Science
The PYP believes social studies and science are characterized by concepts and skills rather than by content. As both are relevant to all the transdisciplinary themes, IPS Hilversum ensures that the social studies and science curriculum are addressed entirely through the units of inquiry.
For more information about learning social studies and science in the PYP please refer to that section in the school wide Curriculum Guidelines which can be found on the school website.
The following units of inquiry are taught in Group 2 (not necessarily in this order):
*In the final year of the PYP, students participate in five units of inquiry and a culminating project, the PYP exhibition. The exhibition represents a significant event in the life of a PYP school and student, synthesising the essential elements of the PYP, and sharing them with the whole school community.
Who we are
An inquiry into the nature of the self; beliefs and values; personal, physical, mental, social and spiritual health; human
relationships including families, friends,
communities and cultures; rights and responsibilities; what it means to be human.
Where we are in place and time
An inquiry into our orientation in place and time; personal histories; homes and journeys; the discoveries, explorations and migrations of humankind; the
relationships between and the interconnectedness of individuals and civilizations, from local and global perspectives.
How we express ourselves
An inquiry into the ways in which we discover and express ideas, feelings, culture, beliefs and values; the ways in which we reflect on, extend and enjoy our creativity; our appreciation of the aesthetic .
How the world works
An inquiry into the natural world and its laws; the interaction between the natural world (physical and biological) and human societies; how humans use their understanding of scientific principles; the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and on the environment.
How we organize ourselves
An inquiry into the interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities; the structure and function of
organizations; societal decision-making; economic activities and their impact on humankind and the environment.
Sharing the planet
An inquiry into rights and responsibilities in the struggle to share finite resources with other people and with other living things; communities and the relationships within and between them; access to equal
opportunities; peace and conflict resolution.
Central idea: People’s relationships with each other can have an impact on well-being.
Key concepts: function, causation, perspective Related concepts:
interactions, belonging, social organization, culture
Lines of inquiry: How we develop
relationships How relationships
affect us
Role and behaviours within relationships
Central Idea: Homes reflect cultural influences and local conditions.
Key concepts: form, connection, perspective
Related concepts: culture, needs, ownership, locality
Lines of inquiry: What constitutes a
home
How homes reflect family values and local culture
Factors that determine where people live
Central Idea: Exploring nature through an artist’s eyes helps us understand the world around us by connecting it with our imagination.
Key concepts: form, perspective, reflection
Related concepts: seasons, plants, animals, landscape, interpretation, art
techniques Lines of inquiry: Patterns in nature The many ways artists
represent nature The artist in us
Under revision
Central idea: All living things go through a process of change.
Key concepts: causation, change, connection
Related concepts: living things, classification, biology, growth, habitat
Lines of inquiry: Patterns of growth How living things
change over their lifetime
Factors that influence life cycles
Central idea: Many products go through a process of change before they are consumed or used.
Key concepts: change, connection, responsibility
Related concepts:
components, process, choice
Lines of inquiry: Origins of products Changes products go
through Distribution of
products
How people select the products they use
Central idea: Plants sustain life on Earth and play a role in our lives.
Key concepts: causation, perspective, responsibility
Related concepts:
interdependence, appreciation
Lines of inquiry: Caring for plants Products we use from
plants
How plants contribute to life on Earth
Language
Language is fundamental to learning, thinking and communicating. It enables us to make sense of the world around us. It is necessary not only to learn language, but also learn about language and through language. All students will need to develop the ability and confidence to communicate competently in English, in both its spoken and written forms. Language is the major connecting element across the curriculum. Therefore, in a PYP school, the focus is not only on language for its own sake, but also on its application across the subject areas and throughout the transdisciplinary programme of inquiry.
The expectations in the language curriculum are organized into three strands: Oral, Visual and Written communication. The program throughout the school is designed to develop a range of essential skills in these three interrelated areas, built on a solid foundation of knowledge of the conventions of Standard English.
For more information about learning language in the PYP please refer to that section in the school wide Curriculum Guidelines which can be found on the school website.
Oral communication: listening and speaking
Students will talk about their own thoughts, feelings, ideas and opinions with increasing confidence.
They will begin to listen and respond to others carefully and with sensitivity.
Written communication: reading and writing
The students will understand sound-symbol relationships; recognise and name all letters and begin to use a variety of reading strategies to make meaning of the text.
They will begin to make predictions and re-tell simple, familiar stories.
They will show confidence and a positive attitude to writing and attempt to use emergent writing/drawing skills for different genres.
Visual Communication: viewing and presenting
They will recognise and understand a range of signs and symbols widely used in their immediate environment.Mathematics
Mathematics is no longer regarded as being merely a fixed group of algorithms to be transmitted to the students, but has become a way of thinking and a language for understanding. The study of mathematics has evolved into an inquiry into this language and learning. The major expectations regarding learning content have been arranged into five strands of knowledge.
In “Number” and “Pattern & Function”, students inquire into our number systems, operations, patterns & functions. These are the two areas where students increase their fluency in the language of arithmetic, as they learn to encode and decode its meaning, symbols and practises.
Mathematics provides the models, systems and processes for handling data, making and comparing
measurements and solving spatial problems. Inquiry-based units are entry points into mathematics through which students will determine the content for the strands Data Handling, Measurement and Shape & Space. For more information about learning mathematics in the PYP please refer to that section in the school wide Curriculum Guidelines which can be found on the school website.
Number
The children will learn to recognise, write and understand the value of number symbols 1 - 20. They will begin to add and subtract.
Pattern & Function
The children will learn to create, describe and extend patterns. They will identify and model, with manipulatives, the relationships between addition and subtraction.
Measurement
The children will learn to measure length and volume with non-standard units using concrete objects. They will become familiar with the parts of the clock and calendar, and begin to retell sequences.
Data Handling
The children will begin to use graphs to record and organize data. They will also start to describe the likelihood of events using the vocabulary of probability and identify events which are likely and unlikely.
Shape & Space
The children will learn to follow specific instructions to build an object from verbal instructions, a concrete model or picture. They will also begin to identify 2D shapes and recognise 3D objects.
Mother Tongue Language
Research shows that development of mother tongue language is crucial for cognitive development and in maintaining cultural identity. It also has the potential to increase intercultural awareness and understanding, and enables students to remain in touch with the language, literature and culture of their home country. It is a strong predictor of their long-term academic achievement, including acquisition of other languages.
The acquisition of more than one language enriches personal growth and helps facilitate international understanding. The PYP recognises and respects the value of every student’s mother tongue and home
culture. We encourage parents of students who are studying English as an additional language to continue the development of their child’s mother tongue at home and outside school. There are also opportunities in the classroom where students are encouraged to read and discuss school assignments in their mother tongue with fellow students. They may also be given home activities which include translating vocabulary and discussing specific assignments in their mother tongue, which help deepen their conceptual understanding.
English as an Additional Language
The EAL department provides extra English support to students who arrive at our school with little or no English language skills. This support may be in the form of one on one, in a group or within the classroom depending on the individual needs of each student. The EAL teachers work alongside the class teachers to assess the individual language needs of each student and help to reinforce and consolidate new ideas and concepts as they are introduced.
The main goals of our EAL programme are to work towards increasing the range, depth and proficiency of the student’s language skills to enable them to understand academic concepts and vocabulary. The EAL
programme is made up of six stages of language development: New to English, Early Acquisition, Becoming Familiar, Becoming Competent, Becoming Fluent, and Fluent. As the students progress, they move through the programme until they reach a high enough level of fluency and understanding to be able to function
successfully in the academic environment of the classroom. At this point, the students exit the programme.
Dutch, Host Country Language and Culture
In PYP schools all students have the opportunity to learn more than one language from at least the age of 7. Every learner benefits from having access to different languages, and, through that access, to different cultures and perspectives. Acquisition of more than one language enriches personal development and helps facilitate international-mindedness.
The students will acquire Dutch in a relaxed atmosphere and be able to communicate in social situations.
They will participate in a range of communicative activities such as role play, storytelling and presenting.
The students will be exposed to a wide range of Dutch vocabulary and language structures and use
The students will take part in key celebrations such as Sinterklaas and King’s Day to develop an appreciation of Dutch culture.
Student Monitoring
Through the use of standardised assessments we compare our students’ performance with that of a
normalised age group to determine if the results of each student are above, below or average for his/her age group. Taking into account the cultural differences and language ability of the student when evaluating the results, we monitor progress from one year to another by keeping a cumulative record of group and individual test results. The use of curriculum-based assessments will be maintained throughout the school year as a way to monitor whether the objectives included in the written curriculum have been achieved by each student.
Learning Support
The aim of Learning Support within our school is to support students with learning difficulties in accessing the curriculum and enabling them to participate as fully and successfully as possible in class.
Support may take different forms depending on the particular needs of the student. All support is designed to address needs in the areas of: academics, emotional needs, motor skills, or speech & language development.
A Speech and Language Consultant and a Motor-Skills Specialist are available for evaluations and/or on-site therapy. Although some costs are absorbed by the school, the speech therapy and motor-skills therapy remains a private arrangement with parents. The cost of which, are met by the parents or in most cases, health
insurances.
Parents and class teacher(s) are involved in the support process and the student’s progress will be re-evaluated after a given period.
