The Primary Years Program (PYP) is taught at GIS using knowledge and skills derived from six subjects’ areas, as well as transdisciplinary skills, with a powerful emphasis on inquiry. The PYP is flexible and accommodates the demands of a range of curricula, and provides the best preparation for students to engage in the IB Middle Years and Diploma Programmes respectively.

At GIS we have developed a highly rigorous academic program, that prepares students to succeed in all areas. In accordance with the IB mission and vision, at GIS we acknowledge the value of investing in student’s academic and social and emotional development so that we are building for the future and empowering students to become global citizens. 

Our program is designed to support the holistic development of a child, where there is an emphasis on both academic and social and emotional success.  Children are highly engaged in their learning, and thus develop skills that will support them throughout their lives.  Communication, Self-Management, Social, Thinking and Research Skills are consistent throughout the IB programmes, and develop each child’s ability to apply their learning in real-life contexts. 

As a functionally outstanding IB world school, GIS has been accredited by both the International Baccalaureate (IB) and Council of International Schools (CIS). We are a part of the GEMS PYP Network as well as the Middle East and Africa International Baccalaureate Association (MEABA).

Stimulating learning environments at GIS foster positive relationships, communication and independence.

Space

We promote the flexible use of spaces based on students changing needs, interests and wonderings

Time

Both structured and unstructured time of various lengths for investigation and discovery

Resources

Engaging and organized resources to stimulate thinking including technology, multi-sensory and natural materials both indoors and outdoors

Atmosphere/Climate

The nurturing environment of empathy and caring has a positive impact on social and emotional wellbeing and encourages students to continually seek out new challenges

Our early learners at GIS are a wonderful part of a thoughtful, caring wider school community.  Cross-grade collaboration creates opportunities for students to build positive multi-aged relationships. Teachers are facilitators of learning through carefully planned and thoughtful approaches. All adults create nurturing and respectful relationships with students by deeply listening and forming partnerships to co-construct knowledge and experiences, including those identified in the GIS curriculum. Parents and caregivers are welcomed as both partners and participants in learning and have a key role in their child’s development.

The individual learning needs of our young learners including their interests, strengths, prior experiences, language, and cultural backgrounds are valued and acknowledged in order to design effective personalized learning opportunities and experiences.