International Primary Curriculum (IPC)

Growing Learners for a Changing World

At Harbour International Primary School, we believe that education is about more than academic success. We aim to nurture curious minds, caring hearts and responsible citizens who are ready to make a positive contribution to the world around them.

Through the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), children develop the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world. Learning is designed to be engaging, meaningful and challenging, encouraging children to explore big ideas, ask thoughtful questions and make connections across subjects.

Our approach supports the development of the whole child through four key areas:

Mind 🧠  

Developing curiosity, creativity, critical thinking and a love of learning.

Heart ♥️ 

Building empathy, respect, integrity and positive relationships.

World 🌍 

Understanding different perspectives and recognising our role within a global community.

Growth 🌱 

Developing resilience, adaptability and confidence to embrace new challenges.

Together, these elements help children grow into capable learners and compassionate global citizens.

Learning Through the IPC

The International Primary Curriculum is used in schools around the world and is designed specifically for international learners aged 5–11.

The IPC combines academic rigour with engaging thematic learning experiences. Children explore exciting units of work that connect subjects such as Science, History, Geography, Art, Technology and Society, helping them make meaningful links in their learning.

Alongside subject learning, children develop important international and personal learning goals that encourage them to understand themselves, appreciate others and engage positively with the wider world.

Learning is active, collaborative and purposeful, enabling children to develop both strong academic foundations and the skills needed for future success.

For more information about the International Primary Curriculum, please visit:www.internationalcurriculum.com

Meet Our Animal Guides

At Harbour, we bring the IPC Personal Learning Goals to life through our Animal Guides.

These memorable characters help children understand and develop the personal qualities that support successful learning, healthy relationships and responsible citizenship.

Throughout the year, children reflect on these qualities, celebrate examples of them in action and use a shared language to talk about their personal growth.

🦏 Respectful Rhino

Treating ourselves, others and our environment with kindness and care.

🐘 Empathetic Elephant

Understanding and valuing the thoughts, feelings and experiences of others.

🐅 Thinker Tiger

Reflecting deeply, asking questions and considering different perspectives.

🐱 Communicator Cat

Expressing ideas clearly, listening actively and engaging positively with others.

🐪 Collaborative Camel

Working effectively with others and recognising the value of teamwork.

🐀 Resilient Rat

Persevering through challenges and learning from mistakes.

🦔 Adaptable Armadillo

Responding positively to change and embracing new experiences.

🐧 Ethical Emperor Penguin

Making principled choices and acting with honesty and integrity.

These Animal Guides help children develop a common language for learning and personal growth. You might hear children saying:

"I used my Resilient Rat when I found that task challenging."

"Collaborator Camel helped me work successfully with my group."

"I showed Empathetic Elephant when I helped a friend."

By making these important qualities visible and accessible, children are empowered to recognise them in themselves and others.

Global Citizenship in Action

As an international school, we believe that children should understand both their place in the world and their responsibility within it.

Through the IPC, children explore global themes, cultural perspectives and real-world issues that encourage them to think beyond their immediate surroundings.

They learn to:

• Appreciate different cultures and viewpoints

• Respect diversity and inclusion

• Understand global challenges and opportunities

• Care for people and the environment

• Take meaningful action within their communities

• Reflect on how their choices impact others

Through classroom discussions, collaborative projects, community initiatives and international learning experiences, children develop the knowledge, understanding and values needed to become active and responsible global citizens.

Hear It From Our Learners

One of the most powerful ways to understand our Personal Learning Goals is through the voices of our children.

Watch our learner videos to discover how the Animal Guides support children in their learning, friendships, problem-solving and personal development.

Our children explain how they use the Animal Guides every day to become more thoughtful learners, caring friends and responsible citizens.

Visible Thinking and Learning

At Harbour, we believe that children learn best when their thinking is made visible.

Across the school, learners use Thinking Maps to organise ideas, deepen understanding and communicate their thinking clearly. These visual tools help children compare, classify, sequence, analyse and reflect on their learning across all subject areas.

Thinking Maps provide a common language for thinking that grows with children throughout their primary years. From the youngest learners identifying what they already know, to older learners analysing complex concepts and making connections across subjects, Thinking Maps support deeper understanding and increasingly independent learning.

As an international school, we recognise that children arrive with diverse language backgrounds and experiences. The visual nature of Thinking Maps makes learning more accessible for all learners, particularly those learning English as an Additional Language (EAL). By reducing language barriers and providing a clear structure for organising ideas, Thinking Maps enable children to participate confidently in discussions, develop academic vocabulary and communicate their understanding more effectively.

Combined with our IPC approach and Personal Learning Goals, Thinking Maps help children become thoughtful, reflective learners who can confidently explain not only what they know, but how they think.