Our Junior School focuses on the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) to foster the development of young inquirers and lifelong learners. Our transdisciplinary curriculum, built around the PYP framework, cultivates international mindedness among our vibrant and ambitious student community.
At ESM Junior School, students are the heart of everything we do. Our inquiry-based PYP framework supports our mission to nurture global citizens. Form tutors, specialist teachers, and teaching assistants work closely together to create a stimulating and supportive environment that gives our students a solid foundation for their lifelong learning journey.
The IB Learner Profile at ESM
We nurture and encourage all members of the ESM community to become:
Caring
We show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. We have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and our environment.
Balanced
We understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for others and ourselves.
Principled
We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity of individuals, groups and communities. We take responsibility for our actions and the consequences that accompany them.
Communicators
We understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of ways. We work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.
Thinkers
We exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognise and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions.
Risk-takers
We approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies.
Knowledgeable
We explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance. In doing so, we acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of subject areas.
Inquirers
We develop my natural curiosity. We acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning. We actively enjoy learning.
Open-minded
We understand and appreciate my culture and will be open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities.
Reflective
We give thoughtful consideration to our learning and experiences. We assess and understand our strengths and limitations in order to support our learning and personal development.
Curriculum
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) curriculum framework at ESM is structured around the Programme of Inquiry (POI), which spans the entire academic year and is divided into six distinct units. These units are guided by the following transdisciplinary themes:
Who we are
An inquiry into the nature of the self, beliefs and values, personal health, human relationships, rights and responsibilities, and what it means to be human.
Where we are in place and time
An inquiry into orientation in place and time, personal histories, homes and journeys, discoveries, explorations, migrations, and the interconnectedness of individuals and civilizations.
How we express ourselves
An inquiry into discovering and expressing ideas, feelings, culture, beliefs and values, reflecting on and extending creativity, and appreciating the aesthetic.
How the world works
An inquiry into the natural world and its laws, interactions between the natural world and human societies, the application of scientific principles, and the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and the environment.
How we organise ourselves
An inquiry into the interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities, the structure and function of organizations, societal decision-making, and the impact of economic activities on humankind and the environment.
Sharing the planet
An inquiry into rights and responsibilities, sharing finite resources, communities and their relationships, equal opportunities, and conflict resolution.
These themes form the basis of our transdisciplinary approach to subject teaching. Our lessons are designed to accommodate different grade levels within the Junior School, ensuring a well-rounded education for all students.
Assessment and Reporting
Assessments at ESM Junior School help us identify what students know, understand, and can do at various stages of their learning. We view learning as a continuous journey and use assessment data to plan the next steps in each student’s learning process. Parents and guardians receive written reports detailing their child’s progress at the end of term 2 and 4. Our assessment policy is available from the school office or on our website for further information.
Language Support
As an inclusive school, ESM welcomes students with diverse language abilities. We provide tailored support for students with English as an Additional Language (EAL) needs based on assessments by Form Tutors and EAL teachers. Students may be required to attend EAL clubs during club times from Monday to Thursday. For students requiring Mongolian Language Support (MLS), our Mongolian department will identify and address their needs, which may involve more intensive support in smaller groups during some of their timetabled Mongolian lessons.