Our unique integrated curriculum model for students in Grades 1-5 is based on the lB inquiry-based Curriculum Framework, integrating the knowledge maps and foundational skills of the UK and Singapore National Curricula, along with the core elements of the Chinese National Curriculum. Through six interdisciplinary themes (such as "Who We Are" and "How the World Works"), the programme guides students in solving real-world problems through inquiry-based learning. lt enhances bilingual proficiency in Chinese and English to native levels and systematically develops critical thinking, creativity and lifelong learning skills.
The curriculum is grounded in core subjects such asLanguage, Mathematics, Science and Humanities, and incorporates whole-person development modules like STEM, Music, Performing Arts, Visual Arts and Physical Education (including swimming). This ensures a balance between academic rigor and holistic development. Social-emotional education is integrated into daily teaching through personalised small-class care plans, empowering students to develop key competencies for the global era: positive self-awareness, collaborative intelligence, and cultural empathy.
The Primary School English curriculum is tailored to the individual needs of all students, using differentiated instruction, data tracking, and support from expatriate teachers. It adopts a genre-based English writing teaching approach that spans grades 1 to 5, enabling students who join us in Early Years (Kindergarten) to reach near-native reading levels by grade 2, and G1 students to reach near-native reading levels by G3.
In the areas of language, Chinese, and mathematics, we conduct layered personalised teaching based on the students’ levels, catering to the needs of each student.
Our curriculum features a rich range of specialised subjects designed to foster students' creativity, cultural understanding, and holistic growth. Units of inquiry include STEM, Lingnan Culture, Social and Emotional Education, and Physical Education (including swimming). Music education is a distinctive strength at ISA Liwan. In collaboration with the Guangzhou symphony Orchestra, the school has established the ISA symphony Orchestra, providing students with professional guidance and performance opportunities that nurture artistic expression and global appreciation of music. Other featured subjects include Performing Arts, Visual Arts, and Information Technology.
In the Primary School, our learning programme is developed around each child as a unique individual, with every student recognized for possessing their own abilities, experiences and interests. With this in mind, we adopt the IB Primary Years Programme framework that offers student-centred education, with the aim to enable students to learn between, across and beyond traditional subject boundaries.
As an inquiry-based and conceptually driven the programme, the Primary School will ensure that individual subject areas are strong and challenging, whilst having students explore the connections between each subject area. Our programme is well placed to help students apply their knowledge, skills and conceptual understanding in real-world situations.
| Grade | Transdisciplinary Themes | Subjects | Courses | Course Standards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
G1-G5 |
|
Language |
Chinese, English, Additional Languages |
|
|
Mathematics |
Mathematics |
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Science |
Science, ICT |
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Social Studies |
Unit of Inquiry , Lingnan Culture |
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Arts |
Music, Performing Art, Visual Art |
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Personal/Social/Physical Education |
Physical Education（Swimming） |
ISA Wenhua Liwan School is a Candidate School* for the Primary Years Programme. This school is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. These are schools that share a common philosophy—a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that [ISA Wenhua Liwan School] believes is important for our students.
*Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme, or the Career-related Programme (CP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted. For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit www.ibo.org