A balanced curriculum supporting academic and personal growth
Our curriculum inspires and engages children, fostering both academic excellence and personal development. The IB PYP offers a flexible framework focused on key concepts, real-world issues, and student interests. Complementing this, dedicated weekly Outdoor Learning sessions integrate nature into education, encouraging physical activity, problem-solving, and collaboration.
Through inquiry, students ask questions, explore answers, and make connections across subjects, nurturing curiosity and a lifelong passion for learning. Our dedicated international teachers work closely with families to support academic success and personal growth, ensuring that every child thrives in a nurturing community.
Growing global learners through the IB PYP curriculum:
After school & enrichment
The Forest is Our Classroom
Some of the most meaningful learning happens outdoors. Every week, our Primary students step into the forest to explore the world around them. From observing tiny insects to uncovering hidden treasures, they learn to slow down, look closely, and appreciate nature.
Our outdoor programme fosters curiosity, teamwork, and creativity. Whether building shelters, listening to birdsong, or getting their hands muddy, students experience lessons that are immersive, joyful, and sometimes delightfully unpredictable.
Since 2018, ISSH has been a Naturpark School. Students engage in hands-on projects from exploring local wildlife to testing Rhein water for microplastics or building a Life Tower to support insects, deepening their understanding of the environment and local heritage.
Find out more about Naturpark Schaffhausen
Our unique approach to learning in the Primary Years
We recognise and celebrate each child's learning journey. Here’s what makes our programme unique:
Students learn to think critically, solve problems, and apply knowledge meaningfully, developing independence and a global perspective.
While English is our primary language of instruction, students explore additional languages and cultures, promoting empathy, respect, and an understanding of the interconnected world around them.
Learning extends beyond the classroom through Forest Learning, where students strengthen their teamwork skills, develop resilience, and deepen their environmental awareness.
Learn more from our Outdoor Learning Coordinator
Our units of inquiry engage students with real-world issues, inspiring them to take meaningful action and develop as caring, globally minded individuals.
Through transdisciplinary learning, students make meaningful connections across subjects, developing Approaches to Learning such as thinking, communication, and social skills, while embodying the 10 Learner Profile attributes.
Students take action by sharing their learning through projects, presentations, and exhibitions, strengthening their confidence and communication as lifelong learners.
We focus on developing the whole child, emotionally, personally, and academically. Our nurturing environment encourages students to build lasting friendships, develop a strong sense of community, and foster a passion for lifelong learning.
Interested in learning more about our Primary School?
Reach out to our admissions team. We're happy to help!
