The Influence of Primary Years Programme (PYP) on Student Wellbeing

The Primary Years Programme is a curriculum framework for kids aged 3 to 12 from the International Baccalaureate (IB) education board based in Geneva, Switzerland. It is recognised and implemented in 100+ countries worldwide due to its unique model of education that helps learners achieve better learning outcomes. It enables schools to focus on their students’ overall well-being as an inquirer at the classroom level and non-classroom level. 

Hence, the program is imbued with activities and practices that promote higher levels of well-being. Therefore, this includes social, emotional, cognitive and physical factors. 

Johnson Grammar School, Kokapet, is one of the premium IB schools in Hyderabad city.

Primary Years Programme (PYP) approach to learning
  1. Thinking Skills
  • Critical thinking skills
  • Reflection/ Metacognitive skills
  1. Social skills
  • Developing social and emotional intelligence
  • Developing positive interpersonal relationships and collaboration skills
  1. Self-management skills
  • State of mind, including emotional management, resilience, self-motivation, mindfulness & perseverance
  • Organisation skills
  1. Communication skills
  • Literacy skills
  • Listening, interpreting and speaking skills
  • ICT skills 
  1. Research skills
  • Media-literacy skills
  • Ethical use of media and information
  • Information-literacy skills

The PYP exhibition conducted in the final years of the program shows a positive impact on student’s critical thinking and other well-being skills and dispositions, such as incorporating others’ perspectives and working collaboratively. Interviewees mentioned that the exhibition provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate the attributes of the learner profile and engage in conscious action. 

Hence, action is seen as an important component in the development of international mindedness. 

Impact of Primary Years Programme

PYP has a positive impact on students, such as their respect for cultural diversity and taking ownership of the actions they do on this planet. 

Also, It contributes to the development of learner profile attributes, a positive school culture, and student connectedness to their school apart from mere academic learning and achievements. PYP has a strong influence on teaching, particularly more time spent on collaborative planning, as well as teacher engagement and the benefit of teachers sharing a common pedagogical language and vision.

Flexibility, student-centred approach and inquiry are the three main highlights of the trans-disciplinary curriculum that PYP follows.

Primary Years Programme influence on teaching community

A 2018 review shows that many studies indicate a change in teacher mindsets and attitudes.

  • Adopting a more student-centred approach, taking on inquiry-based and interdisciplinary methods, and adopting IB learner profile attributes themselves.
  • Reduce the emphasis on standardised testing and worksheets and instead focus more on creativity and action.

Reports indicate that PYP has increased intra-teacher collaborations, leading to an enhancement in professional vocabulary that values the professional support and development that PYP enables. This includes classroom observations, team meetings, mentoring and coaching support. 

In countries where the traditional system is more common, the IB PYP framework is slowly changing the approaches towards learning. 

Thus, the Primary Years Programme (PYP) curriculum has a deep and profound influence on students, which would impact their current and future positively. Hence, it revolutionises learning through an entirely new approach. 

Johnson Grammar School Kokapet, is the leading IB PYP school in Hyderabad. Hence, if you’re looking for AY 2024 – 25 admissions for your little one, you’re just at the perfect place. Contact us to get the JGS advantage.