The curriculum at this IB school in Singapore provides a holistic approach to education. It has a strong emphasis on critical thinking, creative learning and problem-solving skills. Students studying the International Baccalaureate in Singapore are encouraged to take charge of their own learning and develop flexibility and adaptability. How does Chatsworth International School provide this academic experience for its students from ages three to 18 years? We find out below!
6 ways to student engagement
Throughout the year, students at Chatsworth help to organise and run programmes that support the “units of inquiry” that are part of the school’s IB curriculum. These allow the students to develop agency and an active voice.
#1 Exploring future cities
One example is Chatsworth’s Year 6 students, whose inquiry-led project envisioned how cities of the future might look. Based on these creative ideas, they built city models using cardboards and other materials. This was linked to a class unit that focused on exploring the way changes in our world affect how we live and organise ourselves.
#2 TEDx talks
In early 2021, a group of Year 13 students organised TEDxChatsworth, with the theme “The Meaning of You”. The sold-out event held in the midst of the pandemic was entirely planned, marketed and executed by students as part of their CAS and CCAs. It included interesting speakers such as Jian Ying, who has the world’s second largest collection of Barbie dolls, and Christabel Chua, a social media influencer with over 250,000 followers on Instagram. Members of the school community and others also spoke. The project showcased the active student agency that Chatsworth encourages at school. It also showed the opportunities students have to drive their own creative learning.
#3 Excursions in Singapore
K1 students went on adventures to places of interest in Singapore at the “Singapore by Kids” Visitor Centre. They used pretend play as they role-played as tourist information assistants, MRT staff and visitors or residents of Singapore at this mini tourist information centre.
During the play process, the early years students shared with one another their own knowledge and experience of different places in Singapore. They also put these into drawings. The collection of the illustrations from their creative learning process were then printed in the Singapore by Kids Travel Guide.
#4 Running a Chinese Market
In their Mandarin unit on How to Express Ourselves, Year 5 students inquired into the topic of stores and shopping. They came up with the idea of a Mini Chinatown. The students designed stores they wanted to operate and the types of goods to sell. Then they made plans for the purchase and production of these goods, the selling price, the design and promotion strategy, and the location of the stores.
Next, the Chinese Market came to life on campus! Students from Years 4 and 6 plus teaching staff visited as customers. Proceeds from the stores went to the Chatsworth’s adopted charity, the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation.
#5 Applying fun IB Maths concepts at this IB school in Singapore
Students brought excitement to learning the concepts of probability and expected value by creating a Maths Carnival. Year 11 students made games by hand that were carefully designed to ensure a low probability of winning. The games were all played and tested by school staff members to support the International Baccalaureate students’ efforts, and have some maths-themed fun!
#6 Sparking interest in English disciplines
During Book Week, the English and Literature team invited students to create engaging, innovative displays to showcase their favourite book. A Living Lit exhibition was then held at Chatsworth International School and students from Years 8 to 10 presented their works. Everyone who visited the exhibition cast their vote for the Most Creative and Most Inspiring Presentation award categories. Meanwhile, teacher artists judged for the Best Visual Presentation.
The key to creative learning at this IB school in Singapore
Chatsworth International School offers a diverse and nurturing environment that allows its teachers to deliver the best quality international education they can. Using innovative approaches, they guide Chatsworth students to become thinkers with the skills they need to apply knowledge in real world contexts.
Chatsworth International School has been recognised for this work. It was awarded Gold for Best Innovative Learning Environment at HoneyKids Singapore Education Awards 2022, and also received gold awards for the School Where Everybody Knows Your Name, Entrepreneurship in Education categories and a silver award for Student Wellbeing.
It’s clear from the wide variety of projects listed above and awards that studying the International Baccalaureate in Singapore presents great opportunities to develop essential skills in IB students. And Chatsworth International School and its students are exploring every aspect of the International Baccalaureate curriculum, for a holistic learning experience.
72 Bukit Tinggi Road
6463 3201 | chatsworth.com.sg
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We also have a list of the best preschools in Singapore. Also, check out the amazing range of CCA’s and ECA’s available at international schools here!
