What do I need to know about switching children between NC and IB (PYP)?

[waterbabyabroad]

We live in the UK at the moment and DD (5) is in reception, DS (3) in nursery. There is a possibility that we will be moving abroad this summer where there is really only one international school option. I think the school is okay but will be checking that out to be sure before we accept a move. My main question is around moving back to the UK in three years time when DD will be going into year 4, DS into year 2. Will there be a need to retain them in an IB program for the rest of their education or is a switch back into state schools an easy transition? I've seen a few threads on here which suggest that the PYP misses out on some core basics in the early years and as DD is currently doing well, I'd hate to mess up her education right at the beginning!

Thanks for any advice you can give!

Don't panic. Kids come into the UK system from all kinds of other systems, and adjust pretty quickly. I have even known kids come from the US system and get into highly selective schools here.
IB is different, but a really good system.

That's encouraging. The threads I read yesterday did highlight potential gaps which is why I was starting to worry. I know IB is supposed to be very good at the higher levels but wasn't sure of early years.

Hi

Sorry was just testing to see how this works. I have to say that PYP was a disaster for my daughter who was in the PYP system for four years. She left in Year four hardly being able to write a sentence, spelling was awful as was her handwriting, her mental maths was non existent and her general maths skills poor. The worst was her attitude towards work, absolutely no work ethic at all. The school which was a World IB School of good reputation spent most of its time advocating for the Learner Profile which involves students being knowledgeable, thinkers, reflective and independent learners for which my daughter and many of her classmates were the opposite. She did not acquire the sound learning platform my son did when he was in the NC until Year 5. In fact he completed one year of PYP and three years of MYP and made very little progress, his English skills actually deteriorated. It was all talk and posters. Thankfully we moved country again and were able to get the children back in the British System though the school wanted to reject my daughters application as she was so far behind at that point. The Head relented however and I have to say that her progress has been nothing short of amazing though staff had to work hard to address all the knowledge gaps she had aquired in her early years. I am sure that many children come through PYP and MYP safe and sound but for my children it was disaterous. With hindsight I sould have made sure that I supplemented their education at that time so if you do decide to go, take some NC age appropriate work with you, there is plenty available. Though my daughter has now caught up it wasnt without a great deal of blood sweat and tears and I still wonder if she will ever fully gain her potential. I found PYP to be too much jargon and razzle dazzle. I am sure that as negative our experience was others will be able to offer more positive feedback. At the end of the day working and living abroad, as far as i am concerned, is an opportunity in itself and many children thrive - they are still young, I am not sure I would give up that opportunity if I had my time again but I would like to be more prepared. Good Luck and excuse the spelling and grammar I was in a bit of a rush.

Hi runningfree. Really sorry that your DD had such a bad experience. You've touched on all my concerns. I know at a young age they can work hard to catch up but what might have been without the move? I'll make sure we question the school before moving about how they go about teaching the fundamentals in literacy / numeracy and thanks for the tip about supplementing their learning. Not sure where is the best place to purchase these? Btw, the school wasn't in Africa was it?

They will adapt (ds did the PYP until aged 7 then came back to UK for Year 3) but there may be a period of adjustment. We found far less emphasis on teaching and consolidating the basics such as arithmemtic and spelling. Far more relaxed and encouraging inquisition and discussion rather than formally recording and learning. However the implementation of PYP could well vary from one IS to another. tbh I think this suits some kids especially in the early primary years but ds has dyspraxia and woudl have appreciated a more structured approach. However even he made good progress within a few years of his return. If you are concerned you may well find a former teacher among the Expat community offering UK style lessons after school.

No it wasnt in Africa and LIZS is right many schools differ in their approach to PYP. In terms of educational materials, ask what maths, spelling, reading schemes your local schools follow and take their lead, you can buy on the internet. Also I am sure that you can get a copy of the syllabus showing what children should be/will be learning for their particular year group in all subjects so you know what they will be covering and can match it. I remember purchasing Abacus maths schemes/workbooks I think it was at the time and the Oxford Reading Tree books and an English Scheme - think it was by AC Black at the time plus the SAT cds but this was when my dd was older - 2 years older in fact than the schemes I bought to begin with just so I could build that platform - she had just started the British System then and so we backtracked to fill those gaps. As she was older she got through it a lot quicker than a child of the correct age would have done - PHEW. Good Luck we loved living abroad and the dcs learnt such a lot from their experiences.