Developments in the PYP

Last term brought a significant development in the PYP in the UK with the authorisation of 11 schools, more than doubling the number of authorised PYP schools. We are pleased to welcome the PYP section of Bedford Girls’ School to join their long established Diploma Programme as IBSCA members. We are also delighted to report that the other 10 PYP schools are state schools from the Leigh Academies Trust. This is the biggest increase in state school participation in the PYP ever and a measure of the commitment of the Trust to an IB education. We hope that this development sparks an interest in the PYP from other MATs to continue to transform the IB in the UK from a concentration in post-16 education to the full age range.

Also if a verification visit was not enough stress in addition to COVID, two of the schools also underwent Ofsted inspections shortly after their verification visits. However, I am delighted to congratulate the Oaks Primary Academy, Maidstone and Cherry Orchard Primary Academy, Ebbsfleet on both achieving outstanding outcomes, illustrating the resilience of the staff at the schools and the strength of PYP pedagogy. I hope that they had a well deserved rest over the Christmas break! IBSCA is supporting the wider UK PYP community with a virtual PYP community, led by Maggie Hos-McGane, which meets on a regular basis and is planning a PYP virtual conference in May. If colleagues at your school have not already joined the PYP Community they can do by registering here.

Schools interested in introducing the PYP are invited to contact me directly to discuss the process and for continued support.

Peter Fidzcuk

Development and Recognition Manager, UK & Ireland