The British National Curriculum and the International Baccalaureate's Primary Years Programme (PYP) are both respected choices for primary school. They start from different places.
The British National Curriculum
A curriculum: it sets out what children learn, subject by subject and year by year, from the Early Years Foundation Stage through Key Stages 1 and 2. Progress is measured against national expectations for each age.
The IB Primary Years Programme
A framework: it sets out how children learn, through inquiry, across six transdisciplinary themes such as "who we are" and "how the world works". Schools build their own units within it, and the final year usually ends with a student-led exhibition.
The practical differences
- Content. The British curriculum specifies content in detail; the PYP leaves more of it to each school.
- Structure. British year groups are sequenced tightly; PYP units are organised around themes and inquiry.
- Assessment. The British curriculum benchmarks each child against age-related expectations; the PYP emphasises ongoing assessment and reflection.
- Continuity. British primary leads naturally to Key Stage 3 and IGCSE; the PYP continues into the IB Middle Years Programme and Diploma.
Which suits your child?
Neither is better in the abstract. Some children thrive on a clear sequence and a visible standard; others on open-ended inquiry. Many British-curriculum schools also teach through inquiry and projects; many PYP schools teach explicit literacy and numeracy. Ask to see a week of real lessons.
At Elyton
Elyton teaches the British National Curriculum in full, with hands-on investigation in science and independent research projects in upper Key Stage 2. See Key Stage 2 for how the later primary years work.
