Learning Pathway | Curriculum | Outstanding Education

Primary Years Programme

Curriculum Framework

At the centre of all IB programmes lies the Learner Profile – attributes we wish all IB students develop in order to make this world a better place.

IB Learner Profile

Learning is designed under the umbrella of six transdisciplinary themes (four in Year 1) which are designed to have enduring value, regardless of geography or background of IB World Schools and students:-

Who we are
Where we are in place and time
How we express ourselves
How the world works
How we organise ourselves
Sharing the planet

Teachers design a comprehensive programme of inquiry through the transdisciplinary themes, providing opportunities for students to explore ‘big ideas’ of global significance through engaging, relevant, challenging and significant learning experiences.

The themes are supported by six subjects:-

Language
Mathematics
Science
Social studies
Personal, social and physical education
Arts

Together, the six themes and six subjects develop:-

knowledge
conceptual understandings
approaches to learning – skills
learner profile attributes
action

With a focus on student-driven inquiry and conceptual understanding, as opposed to curricula that over-emphasise content and teacher-focused instruction, the PYP framework offers children a unique opportunity to be active participants in their learning. Throughout each unit, students are guided and encouraged to link their learning to real-life issues through deciding on a form of action they will take to make a difference in the world. As Year 6 students reach the end of their PYP journey, they undertake an extended, culminating project, The Exhibition, that requires them to synthesise their learning and present it to the community.

Programme of Inquiry

This promises to be another exciting year in primary school. Please download a copy of our Programme of Inquiry to find out what is in store for all the year levels.

DC PYP Programme of Inquiry 2024-25

Further Information

For further information about the PYP, please read the following IB documents:

The IB Primary Years Programme

Parent Pack – FAQs about the PYP

5 Ways You Could Support Your Child as a PYP Parent

Contact

Louise Mills, PYP Coordinator millsl3@dc.edu.hk

Middle Years Programme

Curriculum framework

The IB MYP has eight subject groups on the outside of the octagonal curriculum model (Figure 1). All students are expected to study from each of these subject groups, and each group is of equal value. This helps ensure that all students receive a broad and balanced education to draw upon before making decisions about subject specialisation in Years 12 and 13.The eight subject groups are:

Language and literature (formerly Languages A)
Language acquisition (formerly Languages B)
Individuals and societies (formerly Humanities)
Physical and health education (formerly Physical Education
Sciences
Mathematics
Design (formerly Technology)
Arts Group (Visual Arts, Theatre and Music)

Through studying MYP subject knowledge, concepts and skills, students will also develop a broad suite of Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills.

Global Contexts
Global Contexts is the MYP’s framework for organising the curriculum’s content and skills with deep conceptual understanding. Conceptual understandings of taught content help students transfer ideas across topic areas and traditional subject boundaries. The Global Contexts build upon the knowledge and thinking skills developed through the PYP’s transdisciplinary themes.

Further information for parents and guardians

For specific questions about the MYP please contact Alison Yang (MYP Coordinator): alison.yang@dc.edu.hk

References

A basis for practice: Middle Years Programme, IBO (2002) Geneva

www.ibo.org – the IBO website

www.ibo.org/myp/ – Middle Years Programme at a glance

www.ibo.org/programmes/profile/ – IB learner profile

Diploma Programme

Curriculum Model

Full DP students take the core elements consisting of:

Theory of Knowledge (ToK)
Extended Essay (EE)
Creativity, Action and Service (CAS)

Students also take one subject from each of the groups below, three at Higher Level (HL) and three at Standard Level (SL). Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature (Language A) Group 2: Language Acquisition (Language B or ab initio), or a second Language A Group 3: Individuals and Societies (Humanities) Group 4: Experimental Sciences Group 5: Mathematics Group 6: Arts (or a second Science, or a second Humanity, or a third language) It is possible to take two Arts subjects, but only if Environmental Systems and Societies is taken as the Group 3/4 subject. IB Diploma Courses students can take six subjects or less, and can do three or less at Higher Level. They can take Theory of Knowledge and do an Extended Essay if they wish. CAS is compulsory for all students at Discovery College.

Core Requirements

Theory of Knowledge (ToK)
In this interdisciplinary course, students explore the nature of knowledge across all disciplines. Critical thinking is encouraged by questioning assumptions and asking how certain we can be of different knowledge claims. The course promotes international mindedness by requiring an understanding of different cultural perspectives.

Extended Essay (EE)
Students have the opportunity to investigate a topic of individual interest. Through writing this 4,000 word essay, students develop the skills of independent research and academic writing that will prepare them very well for study at university level.

Creativity, Action and Service (CAS)
Students become involved in artistic pursuits, physical activity such as sport, and community service projects. This type of experiential learning fosters awareness and appreciation of life outside the academic arena. Students carry out and reflect on challenging activities that have real consequences, thus promoting personal responsibility.

Assessment

Students are assessed using a variety of methods, including examinations, essays, case studies, oral presentations, fieldwork, laboratory work, investigations and artistic performances. Some assessment tasks are marked externally by the IB, while others are internally assessed by teachers but externally moderated by the IB. All subjects are marked using the IB 1-7 scale, where 7 is the highest and 1 the lowest. Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay in combination are worth 3 points. The maximum score in the IB Diploma is therefore (6 subjects x 7 points) + 3 points = 45 points. The minimum possible score which can be awarded the IB Diploma is 24 points, though there are many possible failing conditions.

Learning Team Programme

In addition to the academic programme, students in Years 12 and 13 have one hour per week in Learning Teams which is devoted to CAS and Extended Essay preparation, work on Higher Education applications, and activities designed to develop life skills such as cooking, having a healthy lifestyle and making responsible decisions.

Further Information

For further information on the IB Diploma, see the IB website: www.ibo.org/diploma More information on the IB Diploma at Discovery College, see our Senior School Prospectus

Downloads

Contact
Will Hurtado, IB Diploma Programme (DP) Coordinator will.hurtado@dc.edu.hk

Career-Related Programme

Curriculum Model

CP students take four core elements consisting of:

Reflective Project (RP)
Service Learning (SL)
Language Development (LD)
Personal and Professional Skills (PPS)

Students also take two to four DP subjects (see Diploma Programme page for details of subjects available) at Standard or Higher level and one career-related course.

Core Components

Core Component	Description of course	Study mode
Personal and Professional Skills (PPS) course	Course that aims to support students in developing practical life and career-related skills. 5 main themes: 1. Personal development 2. Intercultural understanding 3. Effective communication 4. Thinking processes 5. Applied ethics	2 blocks per cycle
Language Development course	Student must study a language that is NOT their best language. Some languages are available to be studied as one of the DP course. Any other language can be studied with an outside service provider or online.	1 block per cycle to work on portfolio with the teacher’s guidance and 2 blocks per cycle to do independent study of language
Reflective Project	Student will have to produce a written essay about an ethical dilemma directly linked to the student’s career-related study. They will also have to complete a Reflections on planning and progress form (RPPF).	Independent learning + support from a supervisor
Service Learning	For Service Learning, students work with community members to undertake service activities that satisfy identified community needs. They will need to reflect about their learning and the impact of their actions. At least one Service learning experience should be related to the student’s chosen career path.	Independent learning + support from a supervisor

Comparison

Comparison of CP and DP course elements

CP Pathway	DP Pathway
2-6 IBDP courses + Externally provided Career-related study (CRS) course	6 IBDP Courses (3 HL)
Personal and Professional Skills (PPS) course	Theory of Knowledge course
Language Development course	Language is one of the 6 IBDP courses
Reflective Project	Extended Essay
Service Learning	CAS

What does the CP offer in comparison to the DP?

The CP can be characterised as…	The DP can be characterised as…
Specialised – studies focus on areas relevant to a chosen career path	Broad – studies encompass six different subject groups
Career-related – studies are framed around a career path and the way learning can be applied to this field of employment	Academic – studies draw on knowledge and understanding from across a number of academic disciplines

Career-related Study

What Career-related study specialisms are available to Discovery College students from August 2024?

Career-related studies occur through a partner provider. Partnerships with the following institutions have been/are being established for August 2024.

Institution	Course(s)	Mode of Learning	Qualification
International Culinary Institute (ICI) and Hotel and Tourism Institute (HTI) (Hong Kong)	Culinary and Hospitality	Face-to-face and online	Certificate in Hotel and Culinary Arts (Level 3)
Build Something Different Education (BSD Hong Kong)	Digital skills (ConnectzWork)	Face-to-face and online	Optional Industry qualifications
Savannah College of Art and Design (USA)	Art and Design Joint Enrolment pre-college program: ⁠Foundation studies - Digital Media (STEM) •⁠ ⁠Foundation studies - Liberal Arts •⁠ ⁠Advertising and Branding (STEM) •⁠ ⁠Graphic Design (STEM) •⁠ ⁠Interaction Design and Game Development (STEM) •⁠ ⁠Photography •⁠ ⁠Sequential Arts •⁠ ⁠Business of Beauty and Fragrance •⁠ ⁠Fashion Marketing and Management •⁠ ⁠Social Strategy and Management (STEM) •⁠ ⁠and other possible tracks	Online	Academic Credits
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (USA/Singapore)	Dual Enrollment program: •⁠ ⁠Aeronautics Pathway •⁠ ⁠Aviation Maintenance Pathway •⁠ ⁠Engineering Pathway •⁠ Unmanned systems Pathway •⁠ Business Pathway •⁠ ⁠General Studies Pathway	Asia Online campus	Academic Credits
Sustainability Management School (Switzerland)	Business & Sustainability	Online	SUMAS CrS Certificate (Academic Credits)
World Academy of Sport (UK)	International Sport Management	Online	World Academy of Sport non award bearing certificate (Academic Credits)

Qualifications

What qualifications do students receive at the end and how does this relate to university admissions?

- An important feature of the CP is that it is a framework of different learning experiences.

- Firstly, the CP is a qualification in its own right, similar to the DP. Students satisfying the passing conditions will emerge with the CP certificate.

- Secondly, completion of the CP will facilitate graduation from Discovery College. Universities, particularly in the USA, look for High School graduation as an indicator as part of their admissions process.

- Thirdly, the career-related study aspect of the CP will offer a qualification that they can use as part of university admissions. For instance, students taking their career-related study via HKAPA will complete a BTEC qualification. Students studying with SCAD and BSD will complete a series of foundation degree modules, which in some circumstances can be transferred as university credit to offset against future university studies.

- Fourthly, students will usually complete between two and four DP subjects but can select up to six DP subjects. These subjects can be the basis for admission to a university.

So the CP provides a number of ways in which students can gain access to a broad range of university courses in different countries around the world.

Assessment

Students are assessed using a variety of methods, including essays, case studies, oral presentations, fieldwork, investigations and artistic performances. Some assessment tasks are marked internally by teachers and some are assessed internally but externally moderated by the IB. Some assessments are conducted by the career-related provider.

Further information

For general information on the CP, see the IBO website: http://www.ibo.org/programmes/career-related-programme/.

More information on the IB Diploma at Discovery College, see our Senior School Prospectus.

Downloads

Contact

Raina Zhaparova, Career-related Programme (CP) Coordinator zhapar2@dc.edu.hk.