The International School Neustadt enables students (‘learning partners’) to become life-long learners and equips them with the academic and life skills needed to be responsible global citizens within a rapidly changing world. By implementing the prestigious Cambridge Primary programme, ISN offers learning partners a wide range of subjects and learning experiences. The Cambridge Primary programme provides a strong foundation for students at the beginning of their schooling before progressing through the Cambridge Pathway in an age-appropriate way. Beginning with Reception and ending in Year 5, our Primary Years offers Mathematics, English, Science, Social Studies, Art, Music and Physical Education which are all taught in English. ISN also places a strong emphasis on learning German, and offers additional support for non-English as well as non-German speakers.

In addition to these ‘classical’ subjects, ISN offers Global Perspectives – a programme that develops research, analysis, evaluation, reflection, collaboration and communication skills. This interdisciplinary subject strengthens the links between English, Mathematics, Science and IT/digital literacy.

Research shows that the earlier students start to develop and practice their skills, the greater the impact on their learning. Making Cambridge Global Perspectives available to younger students develops and embeds cross-curricular skills at an earlier age, supporting them in their studies as they progress to Cambridge Lower Secondary and beyond.

Each Global Perspectives topic or Challenge is six hours long, subdivided into a range of activities, and covers a range of skills. The skills are taught through a wide range of topics using a personal, local and global perspective. Teachers help students to look at a variety of global issues or topics that give a range of contexts.

At ISN, Reception and Year 1, Years 2-3, and Years 4-5 are combined, giving teachers the ability to differentiate learning material and objectives from a two-year curriculum, which in turn offers children more flexibility in their learning. For example, a learning partner from Y2-3 might follow certain learning objectives from the Y3 Mathematics curriculum, yet still focus on objectives from the Y2 curriculum when needed. This concept helps ISN individualize its educational approach and also allows a varied group dynamic within the classroom, acknowledging that each child has individual passions and strengths, and learns within each field at a varied pace.