The IB Primary Years Programme, for students aged 3 to 12, focuses on the development of the whole child as an inquirer, both in the classroom and in the world outside.

Programme information & authorization*

Schools wishing to offer the Primary Years Programme must be authorized by the IB. The general guide to school application will provide an overview of the process of authorization. The first step is to read the sections found here and to submit an Interested School Form.

Phase 1: Feasibility Study: Schools interested in the PYP

During phase one of the application process, the school examines the PYP philosophy and curriculum, together with the programme standards and practices, to determine how they may be interpreted and applied in the school, and how the needs of the students may be met.                          

The school feasibility study should include all of the following:

• Participation of the educational leadership of the school in the relevant PYP category one workshops. Information about workshops is available in the professional development  calendar.
• Purchase and study of the curriculum documents in the PYP start pack available from the IB Store.
• Requesting PYP preliminary visit to your school - please consult the guide to PYP preliminary visits and the preliminary visit application form.

Please note a feasibility study must be completed by all schools before a school will be processed for PYP candidate status.

Once this phase has been completed, schools can proceed to applying for  PYP candidate status and to phase 2 of the application process.

Phase 2: Trial implementation period: PYP candidate status

Schools wishing to continue with application process to become an IB World School should complete the application form part A and the supporting documents. Only applications supported by all the required documentation can be processed.                                       

 Deadlines to begin trial implementation phase are as follows:

• Schools planning to begin trial implementation of the PYP in January of any given year should submit application form part A and the supporting documentation on a CD-ROM by 1 October of the year before implementation.
• Schools planning to begin trial implementation of the PYP in September of any given year should submit application form part A and the supporting documentation on a CD-ROM by 1 May of the previous year.

The trial implementation phase in the IBAEM region takes a minimum of two to three years, depending on the nature/context of each school. On acceptance for trial implementation the regional office will then propose a timeline for authorization. The school should then proceed to phase 3 of the authorization process.

Phase 3: Authorization visit

Provided the previous stages have been completed successfully, the regional office arranges for the school to be visited by an IB team. The school will be asked to submit application form part B and the supporting documents two months before the confirmed dates for authorization to ensure up to date information. The purpose of this visit is to:

• consult those who will be involved in the implementation of the programme.
• evaluate the school’s preparedness to implement the programme.
• complete a report on the school’s commitment and ability to deliver the programme.

The IB will submit a final decision in granting, postponing or denying authorization and only authorized schools acquire the status of IB World School. Following authorization, schools may receive further visits from IB teams to ensure that the educational standards of the programme are being maintained and developed, as published in Rules for Authorized Schools.

*Please note that from September 2010 changes will be taking place to the authorization process, including dates for submission of forms. More information will soon be available.

PYP Programme Evaluation:

 To ensure that the educational standards of the programme are being maintained and developed, the regional office will conduct evaluation visits to IB schools.

The IBAEM office will contact schools one year in advance of a programme evaluation visit. If you have any queries about your school's programme evaluation visit dates, please contact us. The PYP guide to the programme evaluation and the PYP self-study questionnaire provide the required information on the process.