Educational model

The Becoming Education model

We believe that every child thrives best when they have meaningful experiences, genuine relationships and an environment that nurtures their natural curiosity.

It is precisely this curiosity that we turn into the drive to learn.

Our educational model is based on solid pedagogical principles, backed up by neuroscience: we learn best through hands-on experience, by experiencing positive emotions, and by sharing the journey with our classmates.

That is why we have created an environment where emotions and learning go hand in hand.

Our programme is bilingual (Italian-English) from nursery school onwards. We combine the IB’s experiential approach with the guidelines of the National Curriculum, following a spiral model: concepts are revisited over time and explored in greater depth.

Studying is not an end in itself, but aims to build a solid foundation on which to grow.

At YIES, children and young people grow up in a welcoming and stimulating environment. The spaces encourage social interaction and make every child feel like a key player. The teachers work as a close-knit team, working together to design a programme that adapts to the children, not the other way round.

Families are our allies. We believe that schools and parents should work together, sharing experiences and educational goals.

The foundations

The vision and principles that guide every decision we make

At the heart of our approach

We turn children’s natural curiosity into a drive to learn.

Meaningful experiences, meaningful relationships and an environment that nurtures each child’s individuality: that is how we truly grow.

State-recognised Italian school and IB World School

A qualification recognised by the Department for Education and meeting international IB standards.

Part of a global network of over 5,000 schools: a solid foundation and skills that are valuable anywhere.

Integrated bilingual curriculum

Italian and English are taught side by side every day, starting from nursery school, as part of a programme designed to bring together the Italian Ministry’s guidelines and the IB framework.

How we learn every day

Active approaches that put children at the centre

Learning together

Peer Education and Cooperative Learning: learning together is more effective. Small-group work, peer tutoring, collaboration.

Sometimes a concept is easier to understand when a classmate explains it.

Spiral learning

Experiential learning is based on a spiral approach to learning, enabling pupils to revisit and consolidate their knowledge over time.

Active and inquiry-based learning

We don’t just listen: we do, we try, we build. We start with curiosity, not with answers.

Questions → Research → Verification → Synthesis. The children take centre stage and develop their own way of learning.

Teachers make all the difference

A close-knit team, united by a shared vision. They design the programme themselves, with passion and expertise.

Thanks to the Becoming Academy, teachers keep up to date with innovative teaching methods, emotional intelligence and inclusion.

Growing as people

Not just facts: life skills

Social and emotional learning (SEL)

Empathy and active listening are cultivated every day.

The SEL workshop is our flagship programme: one hour a week with an educationalist to help children recognise their emotions, manage conflicts and build healthy relationships.

Formative assessment

Let’s focus on the journey, not just the outcome. Formative assessment ensures that each student’s progress is continuously monitored by evaluating their starting point, effort and progress.

It also enables teachers to review and adjust activities to ensure that the expected learning outcomes are achieved.

Potential orientation

Let’s not wait until their final year to ask ourselves “what will they do when they grow up?“.

From nursery onwards, we work to help every child recognise their strengths, cope with challenges and build self-confidence.

Nutrition education

Let’s build a healthy relationship with food from an early age. School lunches are about socialising, enjoyment, culture and learning about healthy eating.

As part of this initiative, we involve parents through the Taste Club, the flagship project of the school-family partnership.

Where you can learn

Spaces designed to encourage independence and discovery

Environments that educate

Flexible classrooms, STEAM labs, spaces for physical activity and creative expression. Spaces for experimenting, making mistakes and trying again.

Every environment speaks to the children and becomes part of the learning process.

Outdoor Education

The outdoors is an integral part of learning. We regularly go outside to explore, observe and experiment.

Children learn to care for the environment when they feel they are part of it.

The educational community

Schools, families and the local community working together for children

Schools and families: allies

The shared responsibility agreement is our tool. Meetings, exhibitions, events, one-to-one sessions, and discussions with experts.

And parenting support on topics such as emotions, digital issues and bullying.

Inclusion and equal opportunities

Every child has the right to learn in a way that suits their individual needs.

Teachers trained in IEPs/PDPs, collaboration with specialists, and a focus on each child’s uniqueness and individual pace.

Frequently asked questions

01 What is YIES’s educational approach?

YIES adopts a socio-constructivist approach that places the student at the center as an active participant in building their own knowledge. The model is based on Inquiry-Based Learning (learning through questions), where natural curiosity is transformed into the drive to learn through research, verification, and synthesis cycles.

This method, combined with a holistic view of the child, aims to develop not only academic skills but also critical thinking and self-awareness.

02 How do students learn at YIES on a daily basis?

Learning at YIES is not a passive reception but a process of constant research based on direct experience and “Units of Inquiry”. To ensure that knowledge is deep and lasting, we apply a spiral model: key concepts are revisited over time and explored in greater depth as students grow.

This approach, combined with interdisciplinary planning, helps students build meaningful connections between different subjects, transforming information into real and applicable skills.

curriculum

03 How are independence and responsibility encouraged?

Independence is a pillar of the relationship between teachers and students at YIES. Through agency and active learning, students are encouraged to manage their own materials, make decisions during the research process, and develop a personalized study method. Responsibility is further nurtured through peer education and small-group collaboration, where everyone contributes to the success of a collective project.

04 What role do play, experience, and workshops have?

Hands-on experience is fundamental: at YIES, we learn by doing, trying, and building. Environments are designed as a “third teacher,” featuring STEAM labs, creative studios (ateliers), and flexible spaces where workshop-based learning is the standard approach. Even play, especially in Preschool, is treated as a line of inquiry and an irreplaceable source of discovery about the world.

curriculum

05 How is the growth of each student observed and followed?

YIES uses formative assessment as a constant tool to monitor the journey, focusing on individual progress rather than just the final result. Teachers regularly document the evolution of skills by observing cognitive, emotional, and social processes.

This continuous monitoring allows teaching to be tailored to the specific needs of each individual and encourages self-assessment to make students aware of how they learn.

06 How is the relationship between teachers and children built?

Relationships are the foundation of learning and are based on a dialogue of trust and empathy. Teachers at YIES are not merely transmitters of information, but mediators and researchers who accompany children in their explorations.

The relational style is focused on listening and welcoming the uniqueness of each student, ensuring a climate of well-being necessary to motivate growth.

Start your journey at Yies

Come discover YIES: book a visit or request information. We look forward to seeing you!

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