The foundation of learning starts at home, but it’s equally important to provide education that values learning from a young age. At Ascot International School, the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) offers children an exciting and meaningful start to their education. This interactive, hands-on approach taps into their natural curiosity and helps them build essential skills like critical thinking, creativity, and a lifelong love for learning.
With a focus on all-around development, Ascot encourages students to become curious thinkers, kind communicators, and responsible global citizens from the very beginning of their journey.
The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) is an educational approach for children aged 3 to 12 that goes beyond academics. It focuses on developing the whole child—emotionally, socially, ethically, and intellectually.
This internationally recognised programme encourages students to take charge of their learning through curiosity, exploration, and play. At Ascot, the PYP is at the core of the school’s values, ensuring that early education is a transformative experience that helps shape children into confident, well-rounded individuals.
One of the key strengths of the IB PYP is its focus on concept-based learning. Instead of just memorising facts, this approach encourages students to dive deeper into important concepts that relate to the real world.
Ideas like connection, change, and responsibility help students make meaningful links between different subjects, allowing them to see how everything is connected and how they fit into the bigger picture of the world around them.
Inquiry is a core part of the PYP, and at Ascot, young learners are encouraged to explore, ask questions, and find answers in an environment that’s both supportive and flexible. This approach sparks their curiosity and helps develop critical thinking skills, as children actively take part in their own learning journey.
At Ascot’s IB school, inquiry isn’t just a teaching method; it’s a way of thinking. Teachers introduce real-world questions to get students thinking and curious, guiding them to explore these questions through hands-on activities and teamwork.
By getting involved in the inquiry process, students at Ascot develop problem-solving skills, learn to think critically and gain the confidence to take control of their own learning. This approach not only helps them understand academic concepts more deeply but also prepares them with the skills they’ll need to tackle future challenges.
One of the great benefits of inquiry-based learning is that it gives children the freedom to ask their own questions and take control of their learning. At Ascot, students are encouraged to think critically about the world around them.
It starts with teachers asking open-ended questions, but over time, students learn to come up with their own questions. This approach helps them become independent thinkers who aren’t afraid to challenge ideas or seek out new knowledge.
This approach nurtures a growth mindset in young learners, teaching them that learning is a process of discovery. Mistakes are viewed as opportunities for growth, and curiosity is celebrated as an essential part of the learning experience.
In the IB Primary Years Programme, learning revolves around key concepts that link different subjects together. At Ascot, the goal is to help students see the bigger picture—understanding how what they learn in the classroom connects to the world around them.
At Ascot, these big themes are explored through project-based learning, where students can apply what they’ve learned to real-world situations. For example, when studying “How We Organize Ourselves,” children might explore the structures of local and global communities, how systems like governments and economies function, and how they contribute to building sustainable societies.
By connecting subjects through these key concepts, students gain a richer and more well-rounded understanding of the world around them.
While academic learning is important, play is also a key part of early education at Ascot. We understand that play is a natural way for young children to learn and discover the world around them. That’s why play-based learning is woven into the PYP curriculum right from the start.
Play helps young learners understand the world in a hands-on and fun way. Whether they’re building with blocks, acting out stories, or experimenting with new materials, children are developing important skills—cognitive, social, and emotional—through play.
At Ascot, teachers create activities that encourage students to explore ideas like balance, cause and effect, teamwork, and problem-solving, all while enjoying the process. For example, during play-based activities like role-playing, students might take on the roles of community helpers, helping them understand the importance of social responsibility, which is a key part of the PYP. Similarly, science experiments and art projects give children the chance to unleash their creativity and think critically, all while reinforcing important ideas from other subjects.
In addition to helping with cognitive development, play is also a great way for children to build social skills. Through play, they learn to work together, share ideas, negotiate, and solve problems—skills that will serve them well in school and beyond. At Ascot, teachers foster cooperative play, guiding students to navigate the social dynamics of group work and helping them develop empathy for others.
At Ascot, emotional and ethical growth is valued just as much as academic achievement. The PYP helps students develop their social and emotional intelligence by encouraging them to reflect on their feelings, actions, and how they relate to others.
Social-emotional learning (SEL) helps students better understand and manage their emotions. Activities like mindfulness exercises, group discussions, and reflective journaling give students the space to connect with their feelings, build self-awareness, and develop emotional resilience.
The aim is to help students become well-rounded individuals who are not only in tune with their own emotions but also able to understand and empathise with others. This foundation in emotional intelligence fosters positive relationships and prepares students to be responsible, compassionate citizens in a global community.
As part of Ascot’s commitment to developing global citizens, the IB PYP places a strong emphasis on ethical awareness. Students explore important themes like fairness, justice, and sustainability, delving into global issues and thinking about how they can help make a difference. This focus on ethics helps children grow into responsible, thoughtful individuals who care about improving the world around them.
The IB Primary Years Programme at Ascot International School is designed to nurture well-rounded individuals who are curious, compassionate, and ready to thrive in a fast-changing world. Through concept-based learning, inquiry, and play-based activities, Ascot’s students gain a deep understanding of the world around them, develop key skills, and cultivate the emotional intelligence and ethical awareness needed to become responsible global citizens.
By integrating these elements from the very beginning, We ensure that students are not only prepared for their next academic step but are also equipped with the tools they need to succeed in every aspect of life.
Last Friday, our school came alive with the spirit of thankfulness as
we celebrated World Gratitude Day. This annual observance provided
an excellent opportunity for students and staff alike to reflect on the
many blessings in our lives.
As parents, we all want the very best for our little ones, especially in those early years when their growth and development happen so quickly. Play is an essential part of this journey, helping to nurture creativity, social skills, and cognitive abilities. That’s why Ascot International School is excited to offer a special opportunity for children aged 0 to 3 years through its Little Lion Playgroup.
At Ascot International School, safeguarding the safety and wellbeing of every child is our unwavering commitment.
An IB World School, accredited by CIS.