Inside the IPC: How Dover Court Students Build Critical Thinking Through Real-World Learning

Some of the most meaningful learning happens when children make connections between classroom learning and the real world.

The International Primary Curriculum (IPC) is an internationally recognised, inquiry-based curriculum that connects subjects through engaging thematic units, helping children develop knowledge, skills and understanding while encouraging curiosity, collaboration and meaningful learning.

Through the IPC unit Moving People, our Year 6 students explored migration through research, literature, art and family histories, developing empathy, critical thinking and a deeper understanding of the world around them.

Students shared their learning through a Learning Exhibition, where they proudly presented their discoveries, reflections and creative work to their families. Yet the true impact extended far beyond the exhibition itself, sparking meaningful conversations at home and helping students connect complex global issues to real family experiences.

How the IPC Builds Knowledge Across Subjects

The Moving People unit invited students to investigate why people migrate and the impact migration has on individuals, families and societies.

Rather than studying the topic through a single subject, students explored migration through English, humanities, mathematics and art, making connections across different areas of learning while developing a deeper understanding of the concepts being studied.

Through research, data analysis, poetry, storytelling and discussion, students explored themes including identity, belonging, cultural heritage, refugee experiences, and the opportunities and challenges of starting a new life elsewhere.

They also turned their attention closer to home, interviewing family members and uncovering stories that brought their learning to life.

Building Knowledge Through Research, Data and Real-World Stories

A key part of the IPC approach is encouraging students to investigate meaningful questions and engage with different perspectives.

Russell Moriarty, Deputy Head of Primary at Dover Court, reflected:

"One of the most powerful outcomes of the Why People Move unit is how it sparks meaningful conversations at home, helping children uncover the decisions, sacrifices, hopes and opportunities that have shaped their own families. It is a wonderful reminder that historical migration stories are often closer to us than we realise, and that learning can help us better understand not only the world around us, but also the journeys that have brought us to where we are today."

For one family, the project prompted a powerful reflection on a grandfather's journey from Punjab to the UK in the 1960s.

"My daughter's school project has reminded me that our family story isn't just about migration. It's about courage, sacrifice, opportunity and the ripple effect one person's decision can have across generations… I'm looking at my own life a little differently this week."

Developing Critical Thinking, Communication and Creativity

The exhibition showcased the many ways students had interpreted and communicated their learning, including:

• Family migration stories
• Original poetry and written reflections
• Research findings and data analysis
• Creative storytelling projects
• Artwork inspired by Shepard Fairey and Paul Klee

Students also created family portraits celebrating relatives whose journeys shaped their family's story today, connecting global themes to personal experiences.

By exploring migration through multiple lenses, students developed important skills including critical thinking, creativity, communication and reflection, while learning how to present complex ideas in meaningful and engaging ways.

From Research to Exhibition: Applying and Communicating Learning

The Learning Exhibition gave students the opportunity to share their work with families and demonstrate their understanding of the topic.

One parent wrote after attending the exhibition:

"I was truly moved, especially by the sensitivity and thoughtfulness that each of the children showed through their poems… What a meaningful and much-needed experience at a time when the world feels so complex and self-centred. I thought it was such an interesting and profound way of learning, exploring the immigration topic through so many different perspectives."

The exhibition concluded with a reflection activity where parents wrote postcards to their younger selves about moving to a new home.

As one parent shared:

"The postcard activity at the end of the exhibition was incredibly moving. Reflecting on what I have gained through my own journey, while also acknowledging what I miss about my previous home, created a powerful connection to the children's work."

Building Future-Ready Learners

The Moving People unit shows the depth of learning that can happen when students make meaningful connections between academic content and real-life experiences.

By combining English, humanities, art, research and reflection, students developed not only knowledge and understanding but also skills that will serve them throughout their lives. They learned to ask thoughtful questions, analyse information, communicate ideas effectively and appreciate diverse perspectives.

As students proudly reflected:

“It was a wonderful learning experience for all of us. It was great to see our parents see all our hard work and learning and get to share this with them.”

"We were so proud of ourselves, and we got to show off our work!"

While information has never been more accessible, skills such as empathy, perspective-taking, communication and critical thinking remain essential. Experiences like Moving People Exhibition help students build these capabilities while deepening their understanding of both their own stories and the wider world.

Most rewarding of all was seeing students confidently share their work with families, celebrate their creativity and take pride in the depth of understanding they had developed throughout the unit. The overwhelmingly positive response from parents was a powerful reminder that some of the most meaningful learning happens when classroom enquiry sparks conversations that continue at home.