Raha International School offers a balanced and academically challenging education which is designed to develop individuals who are both independent learners and international citizens. Our curriculum is based on the International Baccalaureate Organization Primary Years Programme (PYP). The PYP is an international framework which focuses on the development of the whole child addressing social, physical, emotional, cultural and academic needs for learners in the 3-12 age range (RIS offers the PYP for students aged 4 onwards).

The focus of the PYP is on student learning and developing an internationally educated person. The framework offers a comprehensive, inquiry-based approach to teaching and learning. This program provides an opportunity for learners to construct meaning, principally through concept-driven inquiry. At RIS we focus on the development of skills and attitudes we would hope to find in a balanced, self motivated, caring and ethical individual.

The PYP framework is made up of five essential elements: knowledge, concepts, skills, attitudes and action.

Programme of Inquiry (POI)

Inquiry is the primary pedagogical approach of the PYP. Inquiry learning means students are actively involved in their own learning and to take responsibility for that learning. The PYP curriculum model is built from a framework of Transdisciplinary Themes that help teachers and students to explore and acquire essential knowledge and skills and to take socially responsible action. The PYP sets out six themes to offer continuity and progression of learning. All grade levels study one Unit of Inquiry under each theme (Kg1 address four of the six themes). The six trans-disciplinary themes are:

• Who we are

• Where we are in place and time

• How we express ourselves

• How the world works

• How we organize ourselves

• Sharing the planet.

All the ‘Units of Inquiry’ in the primary school together constitute our ‘Programme of Inquiry’ (POI) which provides a balanced programme of concepts, knowledge, skills, attitudes and action. A time line for the ‘Programme of Inquiry’ is produced each year to show the order in which Units of Inquiry at each grade level will be taught.

PYP in Kindergarten

In our dynamic and nurturing Early Years programme, children are given opportunities to construct and expand their knowledge and understanding through shared experiences in an organised, safe and stimulating environment. Our children learn through discovery and student-led inquiry with specialist teachers complementing the Early Years’ philosophy of learning through play and discovery.