Vision & Mission
Inspiring curiosity and enriching lives

The Maple Leaf Kingsley International School provides an exceptional British curriculum that nurtures young students from early years and throughout their adolescent years. Kingsley is known for its unique mission of inspiring curiosity and enriching the lives of students with real-life experiences that equip them with the skills and knowledge to become future leaders. By combining a visionary curriculum, state-of-the-art facilities and an expansive environment to learn in, Kingsley is able to create an environment conducive to learning for students, teachers and parents to flourish.

Cultivating people with strong values and high achievements
Maple Leaf Kingsley International School believes in cultivating leaders with strong values, good character and high achievements. Students are moulded in a bully-free environment where they are nurtured into confident and independent youths who see the importance of living purposefully and fearlessly in life.

Kingsley aims to produce well-rounded individuals who are curious about the world, thirsty for knowledge, happy and content, kind, resilient and have a good reflection of self. The school ensures that it stimulates these characteristics in the students through firm yet kind actions, building strong trust and giving genuine care.

Kingsley believes that by building these authentic connections, they not only make the students feel valued but empower them from within and encourage them to go further. This stems from their belief in empowering not only the students but the teachers as well. By being attentive to those who are in constant communication with the students, they are able to truly empower the students.

A learning environment that uplifts and encourages people

This international school recognises that children learn by imitating those around them. Hence, it creates an enriching learning atmosphere where people are confident, engaged, innovative and respectful towards each other.

Students are encouraged to ask questions, research their interests, train their bodies and mind, and be who they are. Kingsley is known for placing a great significance on their educators because they believe when educators are uplifted, they also uplift those in their care. The school is equipped with staff and facilities that are on par with international standards.

Maple Leaf Kingsley International School believes in providing for the students a platform to develop skills that enable them to be confident, in exploring their own potential and place in this world. For example, the skills students learn in the Performing Arts programme give them the confidence to perform on the Stage of Life. Through music, dance and drama, students develop qualities like self-discipline, memory concentration, cooperation, imagination, and empathy.

The school’s vigorous Sports and Physical Education programme provides opportunities for children to develop motor skills, fitness, and good sportsmanship. Children learn the value of discipline, healthy competition, teamwork, and determination while exercising their bodies and minds through regular sporting activities and inter house games.

The international school offers many clubs and societies for students to create, innovate, explore and discover their interests and passions.

Learning and Development at Kingsley
Kingsley follows a holistic approach to learning, providing an exceptional British curriculum supported with a variety of extracurricular activities and real-world experiences for students.

Early Years
The Early Years Department (EYD) provides a foundation for children to thrive and develop at their own pace. The Early Years Department caters to children aged 3 to 5 years old, where the youngest learners adapt and evolve in a loving, safe and secure environment.

Kingsley empowers and celebrates the positive aspects of children while creating an environment where differences are recognised, understood and appreciated.

Primary Education
Primary education at Maple Leaf Kingsley International School is a learner-led classroom, optimised for students through continuous measured assessment, cooperative learning, student management monitoring and constructive feedback.

Kingsley follows the International Primary curriculum developed for the University of Cambridge International Examinations.

The multi-sensory and experiential learning is extended from the Early Years Education with science kits, games, mathematical manipulatives, interactive whiteboards, computer skills and field trips for a hands-on and experiential learning journey.

Secondary Education
The secondary education at Kingsley aims at imparting 21st-century knowledge and information in an atmosphere that challenges students to think creatively and critically.

Kingsley follows the International Secondary curriculum developed for the University of Cambridge International Examinations. It equips future leaders with the necessary skills and knowledge for IGCSE Cambridge in preparation for examinations in Year 11 while creating awareness for current issues and empowering them to voice out their opinions through research, reasoning, debating and questioning.

A-Level

Kingsley offers a broad A-Level programme that allows the students to align personal motivations and academic strengths with their studies.

The A-Level (Sixth Form) at Kingsley is a pre-university programme conducted by the prestigious Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE). The programme is targeted at students who are keen on pursuing studies abroad and is one of the most viable options to apply to distinguished universities worldwide.

Learning Journeys
Learning through real-world experiences

In addition to this, Kingsley is known for its unique programme Learning Journeys which is a series of real-world experiences for primary and secondary students. Learning Journeys aims to enrich academic learning with hands-on exploration by allowing students to tackle real issues in the places they visit.

Primary level students go on day excursions, while secondary level students participate in overnight camps annually. The school also offers students in Year 8 and 9 opportunities to participate in Overseas Exchange programme with partner schools which provide a unique platform to broaden their world view. The programme offers opportunities for students to embed themselves in new cultures and gain personal insight into living in a wider world.

Maple Leaf Kingsley International School is not just an educational institution – it is a school which instils, invests and imparts values that empower life achievers!

Quick Info

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Many international schools carry British education standards (thanks to Malaysia’s past as an English colonial outpost) in particular the Cambridge International Education standard. Besides that, there are schools with strong European leanings with offering courses in International Baccalaureate (IB), as well as French and German.

In addition, there are several schools following either American or Australian curriculums. Notably, there are more than a few international schools with faith-based philosophies, especially Islamic as Malaysia is a predominantly Islamic country.

However there are many schools that belong to academic institutions from other faiths, including former missionary schools which now have students from various ethnic and religious backgrounds.

Newer expatriates to Malaysia might not realise that city-state KL is but one out of three states that comprise a wider region known as the Klang Valley, the others being the state of Selangor and federal administrative territory Putrajaya.

So when locals or those familiar with the area refer to KL, they may or may not be referencing other parts of the Klang Valley as well. 

With this knowledge in hand, and with so many school options to filter through, we thought it best to present a sampling of different international schools in the region, choosing from the best as reviewed by parents who actually have kids in these centres of learning.

• Idrissi International School Kuala Lumpur

Idrissi International is possibly the best-rated school by parents, with several praising the homely environment and friendly personnel, right down to the security guards. Idrissi school refers to itself as the world’s first Islamic eco-friendly international school.

Parents cite the practical lessons that are not confined to the classroom, the Islamic values prevalent in the lessons despite offering the IGCSE, and the natural environment-aware surroundings and awareness as strong plus points.

Learn more about the Idrissi International School 

• The Alice Smith School

Spread across two campuses, the Alice Smith School teaches the English National Curriculum to pupils from pre-school to primary to secondary school. 

The plaudits for Alice Smith School is overwhelming, with some parents claiming it is the best school in Asia, not just Malaysia. The organisation, the state-of-the-art facilities, and the teachers all come in for high praise- while many schools in KL have excellent amenities, the teachers of Alice Smith especially are commended for not only their academic prowess, but for emphasising soft skills and creating a nurturing environment, which parents say boost their kids’ confidence, creativity, and love of reading.

Learn more about the Alice Smith School – Primary Campus

Learn more about the Alice Smith School – Secondary Campus

• Australian International School Malaysia (AISM)

The Australian International School Malaysia naturally provides an education in the Australian National Curriculum, with a sprawling ‘Green’ campus in a gated community located at a strategic intersection between several expatriate enclaves in the capital.

Both parents and former students heap praise on the school, with the alumni quick to recommend their alma mater to inquiring parents. With outstanding facilities and well-balanced students, once again it’s the teachers that are the defining feature: parents state that the academic staff are kind, intelligent, and encourage collaboration amongst their charges. The students, in turn, are very respectful of their teachers.

Learn more about the AISM

• Rafflesia International School (RIS)

The best-reviewed school offering the IB programme, Rafflesia International School also has 2 campuses in the Klang Valley, one in Kajang closer to Putrajaya, and the other in urban centre Puchong. 

Of particular interest, parents regularly commend the school’s Teach and Care initiative, which offers productive after-school activities and homework guidance until 6PM, which has proven beneficial for working parents. Parents also give positive feedback on RIS providing a holistic balance of art and other experiences besides the usual study programmes alone.

Learn more about the RIS – Kajang Campus

Learn more about the RIS – Puchong Campus

• Mont’Kiara International School (M’KIS)

M’KIS consistently ranks as one of the top international schools in the country, as well as being rated a 5-star academic institution by the Malaysian Ministry of Education. Mont’Kiara International is probably the pre-eminent school teaching the North American Curriculum in Malaysia, recognised by the Western Association of Schools & Colleges (WASC) and authorised as an IB World School.

Expatriate parents are very complimentary of the school’s welcoming atmosphere for new families, and also the Expected Schoolwide Learning Results (ESLRs) that challenges students to excel beyond their perceived limitations.

Learn more about M’KIS

The post Top KL International Schools, reviewed by Parents appeared first on International-Schools.org.

Parents and students with a green thumb can start recycling even at home, with many household items being the standard starting point to begin re-cycling and re-purposing materials on a regular basis.

Some of the most common recyclables and the proper way to recycle them are detailed below, with an eye for young children to familiarise themselves with becoming an environmentally-aware global citizen.

• Paper

Paper makes up the biggest amount of solid waste generated every year in cities, at 25% of total thrash. According to the American Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), citizens there recycled almost 66% of used paper in 2017- that recycled paper is reused to make new paper products, conserving natural plant resources.

Many community and office recycling programmes accept paper products, often segregated from other recyclables for easier re-consumption. At the same time, if you’re out shopping, you can look out for paper products made from recycled paper.

• Gift Wrapping & Bags

When buying presents for a festive occasion, consumers should look out for gift wrap that is made from recycled material, or that can be recycled. This is because a lot of gift paper is made with laminated or shiny foil material, which is not accepted or recyclable for many recycling centres.

To avoid that altogether, consumers can use decorative gift boxes instead, bypassing wrapping paper all the way. Gift wrap and gift bags should also ideally be reused for the next occasion or birthday, instead of being thrown away after a single use- so don’t write on them! Use a removable sticker instead.

• Batteries

Most dry-cell batteries can be recycled, including AA, AAA, 9-volt made from alkaline and zinc; certain cylindrical, button & rectangular batteries made from mercury oxide, silver oxide, & zinc-air; and including rechargeable lithium batteries.

To dispose of these batteries, look for the specific battery recycling bins placed in stores or at community collection events.

• Plastic(s)

Of the 35 million tonnes of plastic generated in the U.S. in 2017, only 8.4% was recycled. Certain plastic materials get recycled more frequently than others. Look for identifiers or recycling symbols on the bottom of plastic products, to see if they match the recycling symbols at your local recycling programme.

Reduce waste usage by purchasing products made from recycled plastic materials. 

• Glassware

26.6% of out of 11.4 million tonnes of glass generated in 2017 was recycled in the States. Many people might not be aware that glass products, particularly food & beverage containers, can be repeatedly recycled over and over again.

In fact, making new glass from recycled glass is generally cheaper to produce than from scratch. Many community recycling programmes accept assorted glass pieces mixed together, and their sorted into their individual colours and types at the recovery facility. 

• Used Motor Oil

When the parents change the oil in their automobiles, the used oil should always be recycled to make new motor oil. According to the American EPA, it takes a staggering 42 gallons of crude oil to produce 2.5 quarts of new motor oil, but requires one gallon of used oil to produce the same amount!

Besides better consumption of oil resources, reusing the oil means it’s not being dumped down the drain and contaminating the water supply- because the oil from just one oil change can contaminate one million gallons of fresh water. 

In America and certain other countries, many auto garages and supply stores that sell motor oil will possibly accept motor oil for recycling purposes. 

• Tires

Old tire piles are susceptible to catching fire and are prone to attracting pests including rodents. Used tires can be returned to your local tire retailer or a local recycler which processes tires. 

Some community events might also accept tires for recycling. In addition, many car garages are required to take and recycle your old tires when you come to have new tires installed.

The post Learning to Recycle: The Most Common Recyclables appeared first on International-Schools.org.

As a parent, why should you select the British curriculum over other well-recognised courses such as the American Schools system or International Baccalaureate (IB) syllabuses? 

The British International School Riyadh breaks down just what makes the U.K. national curriculum one of the most sought after international syllabus in the world. Here’s all you need to know:-

What is the National Curriculum of England?

Officially known as the National Curriculum of England, Wales, & Northern Island, the British national curriculum educates students by analytical problem-solving and critical thinking rather than by teaching them to retain facts.

The curriculum is structured in such a way as to cater to all the varying needs of students, be it by challenging brighter students or supporting others with an extensive array of teaching and learning methodology. 

One of the hallmarks of the U.K. system is the focus on developing a child’s entire personality, not just academic merit. Children are nurtured to expand their potential by exploring the world around, taking responsibility for themselves, forming opinions, interpersonal relationships, and developing their bodies via sports and physical education.

A variety of assessment methods are used to grade students while still encouraging independent thought as well as mastery of a particular subject itself. Incorporated as part of the programme is the extensive range of extracurricular activities available within the British education system (dependent on the school selected, of course). 

Above all, the course is highly transferable, meaning students can seamlessly move between different countries accepting the standard, or easily transfer back to the United Kingdom to complete their schooling with minimal disruption.

How the Curriculum is structured

The British system is clearly regimented, with the academic and other goals defined according to various Key Stages. The Foundation Stage, starts accepting kids from ages 3 to 5 for Nursery, while primary education comprises Key Stage 1 (ages 5-7 or Years 1 & 2) and Key Stage 2 (ages 7-11 or Years 3-6), ending with A-levels certification for secondary schoolers, with Key Stage 3 (ages 11 to 14, Years 7-9) and Key Stage 4 (from ages 14 to 16, or Year 10 and Year 11).

Pupils are expected to achieve certain at each Key Stage level. In the past, students were assigned national curriculum levels, but in 2014 levels were discontinued in favour of a primary school grading system which can vary from school to school.

At some schools, progress is determined by individual teacher assessments for Key Stages 1-3 based on the National Curriculum Attainment Targets for all subjects taken that year. At Key Stage 4, pupils might follow the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), with either Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) or Edexcel Examinations Board papers.

Finally, the students take their A-Levels at the end of Key Stage 5, that is either Year 12 or Year 13- otherwise known in the U.K. as the Lower and Upper Sixth Form, respectively.

Students are awarded certificates from the exam boards for the subjects they successfully complete. Typically in the IGCSE, the students take courses in the core subjects such as English, mathematics, science, and modern languages with the option to take additional subjects based on the available electives.

Equipping them with future-ready skills

The structure of the English National Curriculum readily equips children with the talents required to handle uncertain futures, where they have to adapt quickly, be responsive to demands that haven’t been defined yet, utilising tools and technology that might be unheard of at this present moment.

This sort of environment will require highly independent and self-motivated workers, which the British schooling standard well prepares participants for. In addition to preparedness and critical thinking skills, the British standard also allows for a globalised way of thinking, with awareness of other cultures and schools of thinking.

The post Why choose the British Curriculum for your child? appeared first on International-Schools.org.

The fear and doubts are no doubt amplified even more when the child is required to write in that language. Some of the best ways to coax a reluctant young student writer and build their confidence would include a method known as Talk For Writing.

Talk For Writing focuses on developing spoken and practical writing skills, enabling the children to imitate the language orally for a given topic first, before then breaking it down and reading it, and only then writing their own version. 

Utilising this method, the kids pick up the meaning of words, when they create or use the associated actions to match the actual language. 

Talk For Writing allows the students to play with and familiarise themselves with the language, before they are formally introduced to formal written texts. The Talk For Writing toolkit provides the support to breed confidence, to explore a wider variety of language than more traditional methods.

By building on actions developed using this young learner’s method, the students can now access a bigger glossary of keywords, punctuation, and grammar. The approach is consistent for building and developing their writing skills with confidence, in parallel to their spoken English.

Not only for English as a second language, but reading will help young students to develop language skills in their native tongue as well as any other language they want to pick up. 

Research has consistently shown that reading will greatly expand a kid’s vocabulary, especially in the Early Years. The same goes for reading in a different language than English, as it helps with the understanding of the words used and the corresponding meaning in the original language first. 

This sort of application-induced lessons will greatly benefit students at international schools around the world, not only in writing confidently and creatively, but also with their reading and spoken language skills.

The post Teaching Young Learners to Write Confidently appeared first on International-Schools.org.

There are a number of factors to consider when deciding which school to send your children to board at. From the location to the courses offered, one of the main associate factors has got to be the cost.

The cost of good boarding schools in Malaysia has been known to be on the high side, but the quality of the educational programmes is also widely lauded and parents view it as a worthy investment in the futures of their children. 

Westlake International School

Situated in the former mining state of Perak in the town of Kampar, the Westlake International School is an academic boarding school designed by world-class architects with world-class infrastructure right next to a huge lake, leaning into the school’s belief that ecological sustainability and environmental protection is not just important- it’s critical for the students of tomorrow to be aware of.

From the preschool to the secondary schooling levels, Westlake provides the Cambridge International Examinations curricula offered alongside outstanding academic and recreational facilities to keep your boarding student well engaged both inside and outside the classroom.

More on Westlake International School

City Harbour International School

Another boarding school towards the coastal regions of Perak, City Harbour International School has a much more singular educational experience. Being the only international school around that is directly affiliated with the Outward Bound outreach programme, students of the boarding school can partake in numerous outdoor, active lifestyle activities on a weekly basis such as rock climbing, sailing, mountaineering, and community service. 

A cadre of trained educators teach students on a modern campus surrounded by a lush green environment with some of the best facilities outside of a major city centre. City Harbour provides both it’s local and boarding students some of the most well rounded, holistic education in a stimulating environment.

More on City Harbour International School

International School of Penang

At least 42 nationalities study at the International School of Penang in northern Malaysia, so the students are exposed to, and learn to embrace other cultures at a very young age- right along with top-notch upbringing in the Cambridge International Examinations or the International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes.

The International School of Penang is a not-for-profit day and boarding school for students for ages 4-18. The entire, beautiful campus in the hills is modernised and sports wireless internet throughout. 

More on International School of Penang

Nexus International School

As the first ‘Apple Distinguished School’ in the country, Nexus International School puts technology and innovation at the forefront of their schooling system. Both the IGCSEs and the IB Diploma are offered to their day and boarding students at the campus in the nation’s administrative capital of Putrajaya.

The boarding facilities are co-ed and really top-shelf, reminiscent of a nice boutique hotel rather than a hostel. The recreational facilities are likewise of the highest standards so the students can focus their utmost efforts on their learning.

More on Nexus International School

Kolej Tuanku Jaafar

With an emphasis on being a British-influenced boarding school, Kolej Tuanku Jaafar (or KTJ) is widely recognised as popularising the international schools concept in Malaysia back in the early 1990s. 

KTJ has an immense campus outside the Klang Valley in the countryside of Seremban, students from ages 3-19 study the English National Curriculum including the IGCSEs and A-Levels, with a focus on building character and personal development of the students heading into their tertiary education.

More on Kolej Tuanku Jaafar

The post Top Boarding Schools in Malaysia appeared first on International-Schools.org.

The numbers are troubling, as undoubtedly the rates are even higher when factoring the rest of the world. 

Depression in children might even be more pronounced than adult variants: besides impairing a child’s academic and social participation, the mental health condition can trigger a range of other symptoms including loss of appetite, loss of interest in performing daily tasks, and negatively affecting their motor skills, intellectual development, and emotional wellbeing. 

Given the wide-reaching implications that early onset depression can have on a young person’s growth, it is becoming more and more critical for adults to be able to identify the signs that a child in their care might be experiencing childhood depression.

Potential symptoms of depression

It is easy to mistake a youngster’s mood swings and lightning-quick emotional shifts as depression, so it is vital to take note of the frequency and the intensity of these mood swings. Ask yourself, is my ward behaving erratically more than usual?

All children and teenagers have frequent behavioural shifts however, so this is not a reliable indicator, and is just one of a multitude of potential markers.

Other easily-misidentified symptoms include a persistent lack of energy – often thought to be an indication of the child’s unwillingness to participate, and is a companion syndrome of misdiagnosed tantrums, which might actually be outbursts or uncontrolled cries for help. Young children often do not know how to direct their mixed emotions, and therefore act out in a variety of ways.

Hence, it would be extremely beneficial to keep a journal or loose calendar that keeps check on the frequency and severity of fatigue, emotional outbursts (or lack thereof), frequent ailments, and other unusual attitude changes.

By doing so, you are better equipped to identify situations or settings that might go hand in hand with these behaviour abnormalities. Compare these with your child’s past behaviour, and see if you can spot patterns of discouraging traits.

Experts counsel that if such signs continually crop up for longer than 2 weeks, it is wise to seek professional help from psychiatrists or behavioural therapists.

Communication is Key

A branch of psychology known as cognitive psychology advocates for the use of linguistics as a reliable representation of mental states. In this scenario, what your child says, and the way he or she says it, is an important indicator of what might be going on behind the scenes in their minds.

If the child says “I don’t like/want to do this anymore” in an indifferent manner, compared to an emotional manner, that could very well be an indicator. Both the general hopelessness of the message, as well as the uninterested delivery, is something to take note of, although of course this is by no means a certainty. However, this is exactly the sort of verbalisation that parents and caregivers should be aware of.

While not concrete proof, the simple act of listening to how and what they say, opens the door for us to respond in the right way. We can delve deeper into the cause behind their unhappiness, for example by responding to the statement “I don’t want to do this anymore” with “How do you feel when you do this?” 

Children especially toddlers frequently do not verbalise their thoughts in detail, so having a prolonged conversation with them, prodding their thoughts with leading questions actually aids them in fleshing out their own thoughts. Which in turn empowers them with the necessary mental tools to better understand their own feelings. 

Recognition will lead to better Care

As childhood depression becomes more prevalent, mental health professionals are becoming ever more efficient at identifying and treating the symptoms. But in order to be treated, parents, teachers, and other caregivers need to get better equipped at identifying the likely symptoms.

The post Identifying Childhood Depression appeared first on International-Schools.org.

To any involved parent, their child’s mental growth should mirror their physical development. Studies show that the first 10 years are a critical time to develop the complex neural processes that will form the foundation of a person’s deductive, moral, & problem-solving reasoning.

Amidst the countless theories out there, some ways to encourage critical thinking among young people have been researched and peer-reviewed by accredited sources.  

Here are 5 methods proven by science to enhance a child’s I.Q. development:-

1. Breakfast, truly the most important meal of the day

Students are often reminded to start their day right, with a hearty breakfast on the day of their exams. But one research study shows that a consistent diet that is high in carbohydrates & fibre, can have a positive impact on mental performance over a longer time. 

College students were found to perform better at activities that required thinking faster & longer attention spans, after meals like fish & oatmeal. The same study states that when the students were switched to diets consisting of high fat & protein- but low carb meals that included eggs, meats, & dairy, their tested performance was considerably worse.

2. Confidence in creativity

A recent scientific study revealed that children performed better when their teachers expressed that the kids were very smart and/or capable. The more secure the child felt, the more willing they were to try harder, or take more risks in their creative tasks.

What a teacher or parent says about a student’s abilities, tends to have a profound effect on that kid’s future conduct. A creative writing teacher reports that her students pushed themselves to write more creative stories, once she told them that they had the potential to be great writers.

There seems to be a clear correlation between a student’s higher morale, and better creative boundary-pushing in fields such as creative writing. 

3. Nature AND nurture equally important

Based on the respondents to another study, correlations to intelligence were found to be 50% hereditary, and 50% one’s social environment. 

Translation? While as much as half a person’s IQ could be inherited, the other half could well be determined by the peers they spend the most time with. 

This criterion is especially critical when the child is at an impressionable age, prone to picking up behavioural and social cues from their schoolmates, as much as from their parents and mentor figures.

Hence, if students associated more with friends who were academically motivated, their chances of developing a studious sensibility were significantly increased. The company your child keeps during their formative years can have a lasting effect on their mental development.

4. Practice makes perfect 

Research has shown time and time again that children learn better by doing, rather than by merely observing. Watching a video demonstration of a science experiment does not enhance their intelligence levels nearly as much as actively performing the experiment themselves.

Application-based learning tends to leave a longer imprint on a developing mind, illustrating one of the reasons why active participation in childhood adversely affects both our long-term cognitive memory and our physical muscle memory.

5. Getting enough sleep

One recent study surveyed kids who got different grades, and found that adolescents that got A’s in their exams, slept an average of 15 minutes more than kids of the same age scoring B’s. The same held true for B-students, on average they gained an extra 15 minutes of sleep per night over their peers who scored C’s. 

Experts say that sleep deprived children are at risk of arrested cerebral growth and maturation, and that a minimum of 8 hours sleep per night is vital for adequate rest and development. 

The post 5 Surefire Ways To Boost Your Child’s I.Q., According To Science appeared first on International-Schools.org.

The IPC is used in over 90 countries all over the world, and is presently an accepted standard for primary education at more than a thousand schools in those countries. Many of which are international British schools such as the Rosebud Primary School in Hong Kong.

The International Primary Curriculum is a comprehensive system for this age group, comprising both thematic and creative components, with clearly specified goals and outcomes for each level and each subject.

This curriculum is intended to nurture a spirit of global citizenship and independent learning amongst it’s students. 

International schools that are interested can become an IPC School and will benefit from the insight from the IPC’s global learning community. The advantages include access to the complete arsenal of IPC syllabus units and assessments, guides, e-resources, and tracking tools.

IPC standards are relatively stringent, requiring a rigorous amount of self-reviews and performance monitoring according to the IPC Accreditation standards, in order to receive IPC Accreditation.

But what are some of the reasons that you should choose the International Primary Curriculum for your child?  

Firstly, the IPC is an adaptable learning standard, which can be moulded to suit a child’s individual comprehension level, and still flexible enough to be adapted to a child’s personal interests.

That’s not the only way the IPC is agile: it can even be integrated with other curriculums to meet regulatory requirements of different nations, but still remain an engaging, immersive experience for youngsters. Assessments are done collaboratively by both teachers and students, ensuring the children themselves understand the correlation between their output, and the desired performance results. 

When a school becomes an IPC School, that learning institute instantly becomes a member of the worldwide IPC community, with access to a wide range of online resources including web seminars, forums to discuss opinions and offer advice/feedback, and both instructional & data tracking tools.

The curriculum itself is centred around individual subjects, with a focus on both personal and international study goals. Yet the desired outcomes are always structured in an interesting way that is designed to encourage the learner to engage in a critical and independent manner.

Not only do students interact with their teachers face to face, but are in fact encouraged to collaborate and learn from the international teaching community that is connected to the IPC framework.

The tangible benefits are not just for the learners (meaning the pupils) and the education faculty. Parents can also gain valuable insights and know-how, as the International Primary Curriculum engages the parents in the learning journey as well.

In fact, the IPC will help parents learn not just the relevance of their offspring’s classroom education, but what they can be learning at home as well. Additionally, the assessments that the children must take periodically, will go a long way in aiding parents’ understanding of their skills and knowledge level.

All in all, the clear cut learning curve and transparent expected learning outcomes, combined with the independent mentality the IPC system fosters in its learners, the International Primary Curriculum is the ideal starting point to introduce one’s child to the international schooling life.

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Games have also been negatively attributed to causing children to become anti-social, preferring online mates to companionship in the physical world. Games have been said to make kids both lazy and AND hyper, and of course there is a common perception that playing games dulls a young person’s mind.

The emerging millionaires of the eSports world notwithstanding, games in general get a bad rap for the decline of civilisation- with kids these days far preferring electronic stimulation over book-learning any day.

In recent times, however, games have been extensively studied by experts– both for their positive and negative effects- with a specific focus on their impact on cognition (mental processes) and the links with childhood behaviour.

While the data is by no means conclusive, a picture seems to be taking shape that there might be sufficient positive takeaways from game-enhanced learning, to justify their continued usage in the classroom- not as a holistic application by themselves, but complementing with other forms such as books and application-based lessons.

One study identified four kinds of positive impact that games have on their participants: cognitive, motivational, emotional, and social. 

The cognitive benefits are relatively well-known, namely that games improve reactions, focus, and attentiveness. The motivational benefit is interesting, as it encourages an incremental dangling of a reward carrot to spur on the player, coaxing him to improve in stages and not wholesale- which might be very frustrating, if the player does not succeed.

Games possess emotional benefits because they help induce positive mood states in their young participants, such as positive reinforcement, contentment, euphoria upon doing well, and might even help them learn how to adapt their emotions when faced with different scenarios. The social benefits derived from social interaction skills learnt in multiplayer games, can be transplanted to their peers, family, and other figures outside of the game environment.

An Irish study found that a higher percentage of online gamers, 62%, tended to hold a favourable disposition towards people from other cultures, thanks to their in-game interactions. This is in comparison with non-gamers, where exactly only half at 50% were likely to have a positive attitude to non-native people or interactions.

Some of these benefits, particularly the ones related to attention and motor functions, can even be found in the much-maligned action, “violent” games. This does not lessen the violence factor, but the benefits are tangible most likely due to the fast-paced demands on their reflexes. 

The most convincing research, however, also happens to be the most confusing. A neurological study where players played platform-jumping games for at least 30 minutes every day for 2 months, examined their brains and found specific areas of their brain to be more active. Those brain areas happen to the ones that control motor functions, spatial navigation, active memory, and strategic planning.

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