Primary Years Programme (PYP)
The IB programme is one of the most popular in the
world:
- Internationally recognized educational programme
- Inquiry-based and student-centred learning
- Comprehensive academic, social and emotional development
- Learning through meaningful, real-world contexts
- Development of international-mindedness
- Emphasis on student agency, action and reflection
- Strong foundation for further learning in the MYP and beyond
🇱🇻 Sākumskola — IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)
Latvian national curriculum programme number:
11019131 Grades 1 – 4
Subject Areas and Curriculum
Learning in the PYP is organized through a transdisciplinary Programme of Inquiry. Students explore important concepts and issues across and beyond traditional subject boundaries.
Learning draws on six subject areas:
- Language
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
- Arts
- Personal, Social and Physical Education
Digital skills and technology are integrated throughout the curriculum to support learning, creativity, communication and responsible participation in the digital world.
Transdisciplinary Themes
Students develop knowledge, skills and conceptual understanding through globally significant transdisciplinary themes:
- 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
These themes provide meaningful contexts for learning and help students make connections across subject areas. They encourage children to explore significant ideas and understand how their learning relates to themselves, their communities and the wider world.
Approaches to Learning
Throughout the PYP, students develop Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills that support them in becoming independent, confident and successful lifelong learners.
The five interconnected areas are:
Thinking skills — analysing information, making connections, generating ideas and solving problems.
Research skills — asking questions, gathering and evaluating information and communicating findings.
Communication skills — listening, speaking, reading, writing and expressing ideas effectively in different ways.
Social skills — collaborating, respecting different perspectives, building positive relationships and resolving challenges together.
Self-management skills — organizing learning, managing time, setting goals, reflecting and developing perseverance.
Assessment
Assessment is an integral and ongoing part of teaching and learning in the PYP.
It helps students understand their progress, reflect on their learning and identify their next steps. At the same time, assessment provides teachers with information that helps them plan learning experiences and respond to individual students’ needs.
A range of assessment methods is used, including:
- classroom observations;
- discussions and student reflections;
- projects and presentations;
- performance-based tasks;
- portfolios;
- self-assessment and peer assessment.
Assessment therefore focuses not only on what students know, but also on what they understand and what they can do with their learning.
The IB Learner Profile
The IB Learner Profile is at the heart of an IB education.
Through learning experiences and everyday school life, we encourage our students to become:
Inquirers · Knowledgeable · Thinkers · Communicators · Principled · Open-minded · Caring · Risk-takers · Balanced · Reflective
These attributes support students in becoming thoughtful, responsible and internationally minded young people who are ready to contribute positively to their communities and the wider world.
Languages at International School Premjers
International School Premjers provides a multilingual and multicultural learning environment.
English is the main language of instruction in the PYP. Students also learn Latvian and Russian, while the school recognizes the importance of supporting students’ mother tongue and linguistic identity.
Language learning is not limited to language lessons. Students develop their communication skills across the curriculum through inquiry, reading, writing, discussion, presentations, collaboration and reflection.