The International Baccalaureate and Cambridge

Early – Upper Years • Years F/K-6 [Y1-7]

The International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate (IB) is an internationally recognized educational program that offers a comprehensive and rigorous curriculum for students aged 3 to 19. It was founded in 1968 and is based in Geneva, Switzerland. The IB aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who are motivated to succeed and contribute to a better world.

The IB offers four educational programs:

Primary Years Programme (PYP): This program is designed for students aged 3 to 12. It focuses on the development of the whole child and aims to foster curiosity, independence, and a love of learning.
Middle Years Programme (MYP): The MYP is for students aged 11 to 16. It provides a framework of academic challenges and life skills development, emphasizing critical thinking, communication, and intercultural understanding.
Diploma Programme (DP): The DP is a rigorous two-year program for students aged 16 to 19. It offers a broad and balanced curriculum with a strong emphasis on critical thinking, research skills, and preparing students for university-level studies.
Career-related Programme (CP): The CP is designed for students aged 16 to 19 who wish to combine academic studies with career-related learning. It integrates academic subjects with career-related studies and practical experiences.

The IB curriculum emphasizes a holistic approach to education, focusing not only on academic excellence but also on the development of skills, attitudes, and attributes necessary for success in a rapidly changing world. The programs encourage students to be open-minded, reflective, and principled, fostering intercultural understanding and global engagement.

IB schools undergo a rigorous authorization process to offer IB programs, and teachers receive specialized training to deliver the curriculum effectively. IB assessments include both internal and external components, such as coursework, examinations, and projects, which are graded by external examiners to ensure consistency and fairness.

The IB is recognized and respected worldwide, with schools in over 150 countries. It is often chosen by students seeking an internationally recognized education that promotes critical thinking, cultural understanding, and a well-rounded development.

The Cambridge Programme is an internationally recognized curriculum developed and produced by the University of Cambridge, in Cambridge, England. Cambridge International Examination (CIE) is recognized around the world for its rigor and critical thinking.

Busy Ant Maths supports best practice in primary maths teaching and teacher assessment, whilst encouraging teacher professionalism and autonomy.

Hodder Education resources for the IB PYP

Implement the PYP with flexible inquiry-based resources developed to support a collaborative learning environment, giving students ownership of their learning. Encourage curiosity, creativity and critical
thinking.

Collins International Primary English

A six-level, multi-component course for the international market which has been carefully developed to meet the needs of teachers and students. These titles are endorsed by Cambridge Assessment International Education.

Encourage learners to develop vital reading strategies and enrich your teaching across the IB PYP curriculum with 6 curated reading collections from Collins Big Cat, a best-selling reading scheme that provides complete support for primary reading.

The 6 reading collections* listed in the below chart are categorized by reading level and PYP transdisciplinary theme to allow for maximum flexibility in the classroom. The collections also available on the Big Cat ebook Library.

There are 3 recommended reader levels per collection: Early, Intermediate and Advanced Readers. Early Readers are for learners up to age 6, Intermediate Readers for ages 7–9 and Advanced Readers for ages 10+.