IPC – ICA

Celebrating the International Primary Curriculum’s 25th anniversary – join the global celebration!

The International Primary Curriculum (IPC) turns 25 on 14 September! Over the past quarter of a century, the IPC has empowered schools cross the globe to nurture curious, creative and connected learners.

Nine challenges. Four months. One global celebration

This year, we’re marking the milestone with a series of exciting IPC themed challenges, which have been designed to spark imagination, celebrate diversity, and showcase the global IPC community in the classroom.

Each challenge has been curated to be simple, fun and flexible so schools can choose how to get involved.

Join us as we reflect on the past, celebrate the present and imagine the next 25 years of the IPC together.

History of the IPC

The beginnings of the IPC

In the 1990s, Peter le Noble, Martin Skelton and David Playfoot began to brainstorm on a more effective and truly relevant international curriculum for the Shell schools. It took them more than four years to develop the dream of providing a cross-curricular and thematic programme for children of all abilities, with more than 70 units of work, spread over three mileposts and based around themes of real interest to the children.

Shell's contribution

The acronym ‘IPC’ first appeared in Shell’s vocabulary in the 1930s, when Shell had a 23.75% stake in The Iraq Petroleum Company (IPC). Seventy years later, Shell invested in a completely different IPC, which was initially called The Shell International Primary Curriculum. The IPC was designed to meet the demands of 21st-century learning and to be suitable for the diverse cohorts of international children enrolled in Shell schools worldwide.

Starting out

Martin Skelton shares, “I vividly remember, on a visit to the Shell school in Bintulu (Malaysia) during the IPC trial period, how the children and parents enjoyed the Olympics, one of the first units of work we developed and trialled in the Shell Schools”.

"I look forward to the IPC community participating in the celebrations and completing the challenges!"

Jaqueline Harmer - Head of the IPC

We asked IPC learners 'What would make the IPC better?' This is what they said -

“

Nothing, the IPC system is perfect, how it works, how we use it, overall, the IPC is fantastic.

I think nothing would make IPC better because it is already awesome to learn.

I think that IPC is a perfect way of learning so I wouldn't make the IPC different.

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When Community Becomes the Curriculum

By Parmeet Kaur Jindal, Nehru World School Building Connections Through Community Engagement At our school, we believe that meaningful learning happens when young children feel

International Primary Curriculum

Our International Primary Curriculum (IPC) supports the holistic development of learners with enjoyable, relevant, and rigorous learning, that prepares them to be globally competent, socially conscious, and motivated individuals that positively contribute to the world they live in.

Designed to be engaging for primary-aged learners, the IPC embraces the transformative nature of learning with the goal of improving learning for all.

Learn more about IPC products and services.

A global learning focus

The IPC encompasses Academic and Personal Learning, which supports students to flourish both inside and outside of the classroom, while its interconnected, global learning focus helps students build an understanding of people from other parts of the world.

Its learner-focused, progressive pedagogy has been developed based on current neuroscientific understandings. It enables students to make connections between the classroom, prior learning, and life experiences with a focus on metacognition, encouraging students to reflect deeply on each stage of their learning journeys.

See how the IPC could benefit your school.

The Benefits

01 Comprehensive materials

IPC teachers and leaders are provided with comprehensive materials to implement the curriculum, including guidance documentation, a detailed Learning Goals matrix and route planning tool that allows them to take ownership of the curriculum.

02 Tailored to local requirements

Schools delivering the Curriculum have access to over 150 units of learning, which feature detailed descriptions of learning tasks, connect learning across multiple subject areas and can be tailored to local requirements.

03 Global connections

International learning and global competence can be enhanced through connecting with classes using the IPC in other countries; harnessing technology to research, discover broader perspectives and share insights with each other.

Book a meeting

Testimonials

“

Implementing the IPC in our school helps us break boundaries and teach children to see beyond the walls of the school, making a stronger link between what they learn and real-life situations.

Through studying the IPC my pupils have a more accurate and realistic approach to life in another culture, enabling them to genuinely embrace diversity and build a brighter future together.

The IPC is an integral and valued part of the learning experience for our students. We aspire for the children to leave our school feeling knowledgeable about the world and empowered to make a difference, and the IPC supports us with that. The units of learning provide wonderful opportunities for our students to engage in local communities, gain a greater understanding of current issues, and deepen their curiosity about the world around them.

Learning through the IPC is always exciting, engaging and challenging, and involves the whole school community. The Personal Goals taught through the IPC are the core of our schools’ vision and mission as they inspire our learners to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing world.

Testimonials

“

Implementing the IPC in our school helps us break boundaries and teach children to see beyond the walls of the school, making a stronger link between what they learn and real-life situations.

Through studying the IPC my pupils have a more accurate and realistic approach to life in another culture, enabling them to genuinely embrace diversity and build a brighter future together.

Case Studies

01/04

Implementation Partner

Partnering your school with an ICA guide to help you through the critical first phase of curriculum adoption. We work alongside your team to establish strong foundations, create practical frameworks, and build confidence in your new curriculum journey.

Accreditation

Working with you to:

champion quality
improve learning and,
unlock potential.

Curriculum Categories: IPC

Nine challenges. Four months. One global celebration

History of the IPC

The beginnings of the IPC

Shell's contribution

Starting out

"I look forward to the IPC community participating in the celebrations and completing the challenges!"

We asked IPC learners 'What would make the IPC better?' This is what they said -

News

Vulnerability and accountability: ILC speaker Adam Kohlbeck on navigating school leadership

How to assess your school’s ecosystem: In conversation with Lori Cohen ahead of the International Leaders Conference

Every classroom has a story worth telling

International Leaders Conference 2026: In conversation with Clare Garey, Founder of Sustainability at School

When Community Becomes the Curriculum

A global learning focus

See how the IPC could benefit your school.

The Benefits

01 Comprehensive materials

02 Tailored to local requirements

03 Global connections

Book a meeting

Testimonials

Testimonials

Case Studies

Cheam Fields Primary Academy, UK

Futuraskolan International School, Sweden

North Zealand International School, Denmark

St Leonard’s Primary School, UK

Implementation Partner

Accreditation

Professional Development

UK Head Office Address

UK Head Office Phone

Improving Learning

Recognition and Accreditation

Professional Development

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