Learners at the Integrated International School (IIS) have been awarded the Outstanding Pearson Learner Awards (OPLA) by Pearson Edexcel. The school’s founder and CEO, DR VANESSA VON AUER, explains how this reflects on their personalised teaching approach to student centred learning.
What are the Outstanding Pearson Learner Awards?
Each year, Pearson recognises and celebrates Pearson Edexcel learners worldwide who demonstrate exceptional academic excellence in their exam performance. The OPLAs are presented to learners in each exam series who achieve the highest subject marks within their country, region and globally.
How are students chosen to receive the OPLA?
The students who are eligible for this award are among over 2,200 learners from 750 schools across 82 countries. They’re selected from thousands of candidates who sat Pearson Edexcel exams in the 2023/24 academic year.
What does winning this recognition from Pearson Edexcel mean for the community of IIS?
For current students, this recognition serves as motivation and encouragement. For parents, it reassures them that IIS’s methods truly enable students to reach their fullest potential.
This prestigious achievement underscores the strength of our educational approach and reflects the dedication and expertise of our educators. It showcases their commitment to fostering an environment where each student can thrive through individualised teaching and support. It also validates the school’s flexible, tailored curriculum as a framework that promotes both academic and personal growth, reinforcing IIS’s reputation as a progressive and inclusive international school.
What else makes this achievement special for IIS?
IIS is often regarded as a trailblazer within the educational landscape. Our commitment is on a personalised, student-centred approach that departs from the standardised methods typical of larger international schools.
The OPLAs from Pearson Edexcel is especially significant for us, as it highlights the school as a standout among institutions that typically follow more mainstream approaches to teaching. It not only validates our distinctive philosophy but also showcases the effectiveness of the school’s inclusive and flexible teaching style in helping students to excel.
Tell us about the tailored student centred learning at the school.
We use a range of targeted support systems that are customised to each student’s unique learning needs. Individualised Education Plans (IEPs) are central to this approach. IEPs outline specific academic goals, strengths and areas for improvement, allowing teachers to adapt lessons and assessments to suit individual learning styles.
For students requiring additional assistance, learning support services are available, including specialised staff who provide targeted interventions and accommodations.
Together, these strategies create an inclusive environment that ensures access to high-quality education for students of all abilities.
Integrated International School is at #01-01 Capital Square Two, 21 Church Street. 6466 4475 | iis.edu.sg
This article about student-centred learning and Pearson Edexcel OPLA first appeared in the January 2025 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy! Read more about the diagnostic assessments used by IIS to support student learning and the facilities for all student ages at the IIS city campus.
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