School Curriculum

At DBIS, we provide an education based on the English National Curriculum, enhanced by our unique international setting.

High expectations and the pursuit of excellence are fundamental to our approach to learning at DBIS. From the Early Years to Primary and on to Secondary, we focus on developing independent learners' curiosity about the world around them and fostering a desire to explore and inquire.

Learners thrive when faced with a challenge; therefore, at DBIS, we increasingly expose students to dynamic, active and engaging opportunities and experiences both inside and outside the classroom.

A range of extra support exists for all students to pursue their strengths and interests and develop their curiosity, independence, confidence and resilience when meeting new challenges.

We encourage DBIS students to be confident communicators and to be creative, resourceful and curious. DBIS learners collaborate, share ideas and opinions and work together in teams. DBIS learners work hard and are proud of their achievements.

Small class sizes allow teachers time to understand every child and to develop truly strong home–school links. Fundamentally, at DBIS, we prioritise personalised learning. We look at each student's individual needs, track their progress and identify the next steps for each of them. Through this, we aim to ensure that all students make good progress and receive support to reach their full potential.

At the heart of our broad and balanced curriculum are several areas that we feel are essential for students to experience throughout their learning journey. These include problem-solving through Mathematics and computing, proficiency in English, development of an additional language, creativity and performance in Music, Art and Drama, plus health and wellbeing through sport and Physical Education.

Equally, as an international school in Hong Kong, we passionately believe that it is essential for our students to understand and appreciate different nationalities and cultures. Internationalism permeates every subject at DBIS and underpins all discussions, actions and views, enabling our school community to interact with and learn from our host country.

Mandarin Chinese is taught throughout the school, while French and Spanish are optional subjects at the Secondary level. Increasingly, the school is also using the world around us as a context for learning. Our students engage in various environmental issues that help them to become socially and internationally aware.

Opportunities for enhanced student voice and student service are developing features of school life, thus enabling all students to take action and gain a deeper and more compassionate understanding of the world around them.