What is the International Curriculum?
The International Curriculum is an educational programme specifically designed for international schools. Developed by Fieldwork Education (UK), it offers a global and flexible pedagogical approach tailored to students from diverse cultural backgrounds. Unlike national education systems, the International Curriculum focuses on interconnected knowledge, personal development, and intercultural understanding from an early age.
Today, more than 1000 schools in over 90 countries use one of the three programmes of the International Curriculum.
The three programmes of the International Curriculum
IEYC – International Early Years Curriculum (ages 2,5 to 5)
Designed for preschool-aged children, the IEYC is based on active play, exploration, and sensory learning.
This programme helps young children develop motor skills, language, social interaction, and autonomy through engaging themes (such as “Things That Move” or “Me and My World”). The learning environment is designed to meet the emotional and cognitive needs specific to this age group.
IPC – International Primary Curriculum (ages 5 to 11)
The IPC is a structured programme for primary education, designed to offer a strong academic foundation while stimulating children’s natural curiosity.
It covers all core subjects (maths, language, science, history, geography, art, etc.) and integrates them into interdisciplinary thematic units.
The programme promotes personal and international development and sets learning goals in three areas:
- Knowledge (knowing what)
- Skills (knowing how)
- Understanding (knowing why)
IMYC – International Middle Years Curriculum (ages 11 to 14)
Designed for middle school students, the IMYC addresses the specific needs of adolescents: identity building, critical thinking, and the search for meaning.
This programme offers project-based thematic learning that connects various subjects around key concepts.
It promotes:
- independence,
- teamwork,
- reflective thinking,
- and engagement with global issues.
List of international schools in Brussels offering the International Curriculum
Why choose a school with the International Curriculum?
- A programme designed for children from around the world
- Thematic and interdisciplinary approach
- Active, creative and engaging learning
- Pedagogical flexibility to adapt to different linguistic and cultural contexts
- Easy transitions between international schools thanks to a shared structure