Enriched curriculum
Explore, connect, thrive
The OIS curriculum guides children aged 6 to 13 through a continuous, coherent and meaningful educational journey.
Its strength? Linguistic integration and integration across disciplines.
Ensures continuity and progression throughout the 6–13-year-old cycle.
Links different disciplines, developing skills that span various fields of knowledge.
At every stage, we nurture the 8 key European competences and offer students the opportunity to explore the world through languages, subjects, experiences and contexts rich in specific tools.
Assessment tools help teachers track each pupil’s progress and check that learning objectives are being met. Pupils are also involved through individual self-assessment tools.
The 8 European key competences
- Communication in one’s mother tongue
- Language skills (foreign languages)
- Mathematical and scientific skills
- Digital skills
- Learning to learn (study method)
- Social and civic skills
- Sense of initiative and entrepreneurship (turning ideas into projects)
- Cultural awareness and expression
Interdisciplinary design
Subjects aren’t taught in isolation — they interact with one another, making learning richer and more meaningful.
This makes learning more profound and meaningful. Students link different areas of knowledge and develop a broader view of the world
Inquiry Based Learning
Students start with questions: they observe, formulate hypotheses, collect data and formulate answers.
It is active learning, linked to real life and long-lasting.
Interdisciplinary project "The Human Species"
The teachers start a brainstorming session with the children, drawing on their existing knowledge.
Starting from the "we don't know's", a map is constructed that initiates a collaborative enquiry across all disciplinary fields.
Hypotheses are tested through scientific experiments. Theories are set out in writing, documented and discussed in class. In-depth studies draw on literary, poetic, artistic and scientific references.
To support the research ("what makes humans a specific species?"), exhibitions and museums are visited.
The results of months of work are showcased in exhibitions open to the whole school:
- Notebooks containing research and theories
- Artistic depictions of human evolution
- Comparisons between the respiratory systems of animals, plants and humans
- Survival strategies of different species
Languages: Italian, English and German
OIS’s language programme is based on trilingualism in Italian, English and German. These three languages develop alongside one another, reinforcing each other, as part of a structured programme that begins in Primary and culminates in international qualifications.
Language becomes
- a tool for expressing ideas
- a way into other subjects
- the key to understanding the world
Italian and English reinforce each other. German is gradually introduced, broadening pupils’ linguistic and cultural skills.
L’apprendimento cresce in modo naturale: dalle routine di Preschool alle attività CLIL della Primary fino alla comunicazione più articolata della Middle.
- Italiano: lettura, scrittura, ascolto, comprensione e produzione testuale, lessico appropriato e stili diversi (metalinguistica)
- Inglese: bilinguismo quotidiano e multidisciplinare, ascolto, conversazione, scrittura, attività CLIL per lo sviluppo di competenze metalinguistiche
- Tedesco: avvio della terza lingua dalla Grade 3
Language Certifications
Middle School pupils to sit the Cambridge English and Goethe-Institut examinations — an achievement that recognises their communication skills and is valued internationally.
- Training integrated into the timetable
- Progressive courses based on age and level
- Materials and communication activities integrated into teaching
- Development of confidence, independence and language proficiency
STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics
Science, technology, art and mathematics come together in a single programme. We foster observation, creativity, experimentation and the ability to design.
Through workshops, design challenges and research activities, students learn to observe, experiment, reason and create.
Design thinking helps us to find solutions, imagine connections and collaborate.
- Scientific projects and research activities
- Tinkering & Coding: you learn to think with your hands, to programme, to solve problems and to build algorithms
- Flipped Classroom technology: pupils explore the materials at home and then present, discuss and experiment in class
- Integrated artistic and design experiences
- Concrete, experience-based mathematics
Digital Skills e Coding
Il coding introduce al pensiero computazionale e alla logica dei linguaggi digitali.
Gli studenti imparano a programmare, risolvere problemi, costruire algoritmi e muoversi in modo consapevole in ambienti digitali.
STEAM Project "The Human Species" - Focus on plants
The pupils observe the differences between the human and plant worlds. The teachers have brought in various species of plants; for several weeks, the children monitor their wellbeing.
What they actually do:
They write comments in their exercise books, in various languages.
They use graphic techniques to depict shapes and shades.
They observe differences and similarities, creating botanical classification schemes (both analogue and digital).
They are building a device to measure the moisture levels in each pot.
In this way, we bring learning together across: Mathematics (measurements), Technology (construction of the moisture detector), Art (lifelike copies of plants), Languages (notebooks for recording investigations), Science (taxonomy and scientific names), Care (responsibility for the plants' wellbeing), Geography (where plants come from)
Emotional and social growth
Recognising emotions, dealing with conflicts, working together, asking for help, and communicating effectively: these are skills that are developed over time through everyday experiences, dialogue and shared reflection.
Throughout their education, we also make space for the challenges that may arise in their studies and group life. In an atmosphere of mutual understanding, children and young people learn to assess situations, find useful strategies and develop a more mindful approach to difficulties.
Building emotional intelligence helps pupils grow into people who can be kind to themselves and respectful of others, even in difficult moments.
To support this journey, the school has a dedicated pastoral mentor, who also offers counselling support to pupils and families, along with a dedicated programme on bullying, cyberbullying and the responsible use of social media.
Sustainability and the environment
For us, sustainability is a way of life at school. We promote responsible behaviour and an ecological culture that combines science, action and awareness.
Children and young people become active agents of change: they learn to look after themselves, others and the planet through the vegetable patch, local outings, civic education projects linked to the 2030 Agenda (climate, sustainability, rights) and the day-to-day upkeep of the school grounds.
Art, Music and Creativity
Art and music are forms of expression that enable children to express themselves, imagine, experiment and create worlds. These forms of expression help them to discover themselves and the world around them.
At OIS, art and music are taught in English using the CLIL approach from Year 1 onwards. Drama is a standalone subject taught in English: one hour a week dedicated to self-expression, communication and role-play on stage.
At secondary school, Art History is taught by a specialist teacher: someone who teaches the subject with passion and expertise, linking it to the local area and its artistic heritage.
- Art: workshops and experimentation with different materials, in CLIL
- Drama: expressiveness in English
- Music: history of music, singing, musical instruments and concerts, taught through CLIL
- Art & History of Art: specialist teacher, educational trips and Art Lab
Sport and exercise
Sport promotes well-being, coordination and positive relationships. Physical activity is an essential part of growing up.
Through physical activities, cooperative games, obstacle courses and sports, pupils develop body awareness, independence and a sense of teamwork.
- Progressive motor skills programmes
- Individual and team sports
- Activities that promote well-being and confidence
- Oloniadi: a sports festival for the whole school community
Frequently asked questions
The final goal is to nurture not just a competent student, but a wise, independent, and self-aware individual capable of acting responsibly in the global community.
Learning develops naturally, following a “spiral model” where key concepts are revisited over time and explored in greater depth as the student grows. This approach allows for the consolidation of a solid foundation, transforming information into deep and lasting competences.
German is introduced from Year 3 of Primary School. In Middle School, multilingualism becomes an advanced skill: students study subjects in all three languages and obtain international Cambridge (English) and Goethe-Institut (German) certifications.
Start your journey at OIS
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