Primary

The International Baccalaureate Organization Primary Years Programme (PYP) is implemented in all ESF primary schools. It is an international, transdisciplinary programme designed to foster the development of the whole child. It focuses on the total growth of the development of the child touching hearts as well as minds and encompassing social, physical, emotional and cultural needs in addition to academic development. All ESF primary schools have a strong focus on developing the whole child and giving children opportunities for developing their independence.

Through the PYP, ESF primary schools aim to develop international sensitivity through the key questions derived from the concepts and through the content of the written curriculum. One of the requirements of PYP is that all students have access to a language other than the language of instruction. In ESF primary schools, Chinese (Putonghua) is offered from Year 1 -6. By exposing children to languages other than their mother-tongue, students gain an insight into an appreciation of other cultures and awareness of other perspectives. The recognition and support for mother-tongue is integral to the linguistic development of our students. In addition, this sensitivity is enhanced through the development of the behaviours listed in the IB Learner Profile and through the Attitudes that are an explicit and essential element of the programme.

The Learner Profile is defined by a list of behaviours that the PYP intends to develop in all children in all school cultures. The PYP supports children to become inquirers, thinkers, communicators, risk-takers, to be knowledgeable, principled, caring, open-minded, balanced and reflective.

The ESF primary schools' written curriculum has been developed with close reference to national curriculums, particularly the UK curriculum. The curriculum standards have been formulated to meet the needs of the Hong Kong and international context. The UK National Curriculum Primary Framework is referenced for the teaching of mathematics and literacy. There is a balance of subject specific and the teaching of subjects through a transdisciplinary approach which focuses on the acquisition of the following skills: thinking; research; social; communication and self-management.