La Côte International School Aubonne - a top IPC Primary school in Switzerland
The International Primary Curriculum is a comprehensive, thematic, creative course of study with specific learning goals for the following areas: History, Geography, Science, Art, Technology, International Mindedness and Society. Each unit or topic varies in length and will focus on specific learning goals in Knowledge, Skills and Understanding. The IPC also supports and facilitates personal learning based on the eight IPC personal goals, for students to become: a Collaborator, a Communicator, a Thinker, Empathetic, Ethical, Resilient and Respectful. IPC is now used by over 2,000 schools in over 90 countries worldwide.
Learning milestones
The IPC has been designed to ensure rigorous learning, whilst providing both students and teachers learning opportunities that are exciting, meaningful and active.
The curriculum is split into 3 Mileposts:
- Milepost 1 for students age 5-7 (Y1 & Y2).
- Milepost 2 for students age 7-9 (Y3 & Y4).
- Milepost 3 for students age 9-11 (Y5 & 6).
Units of learning
The IPC provides teachers with thematic units of learning, called ‘topics’, which outline activities and tasks. All 146 units have been designed to appeal to children’s interests and help them to learn more about the world around them. These units of work cover a range of themes, age-appropriate and relevant to each age range. In the younger years, units are based on topics that enable students to draw on their own experiences such as ‘The Toy Maker’ and ‘A day in the Life’. Older students study more complex topics which focus on developing their investigative and research skills, such as ‘Mission to Mars’, ‘Chocolate’ and ‘Champions for Change’. Each thematic IPC unit includes an international aspect, to help students to develop a sense of ‘international mindedness’.
Assessment for improving learning
Learning in the IPC takes three forms: knowledge, skills, and understanding. There are clear learning objectives for each unit of work with a particular emphasis on developing students' skills. The design of the International Primary Curriculum promotes assessment for improving learning. The IPC supports the viewpoint that formative assessment should take place regularly to allow for instructional adaptations, revised goal setting, feedback or even curriculum compacting. Teachers have a clear understanding of their students' strengths and areas for growth at all times, and students have the opportunity to contribute to the assessment process through self-assessment.
IPC learning outcomes
At one of the top IPC schools in Aubonne, students enjoy exciting and meaningful enquiry-based units both independently and in groups. They work towards our eight Personal Learning Goals, key qualities which help them develop emotionally and socially. The aim of the Personal Learning Goals is to develop character and attitudes, in addition to knowledge, skills, and understanding. These goals are unique to the IPC and empowers children to confidently state,
I am Adaptable
I am a Communicator
I am a Collaborator
I am Empathetic
I am Ethical
I am Resilient
I am Respectful
I am a Thinker
