CIRCULAR 2024/2025 – EXPERIENTIAL CURRICULUM – SALIR / LOGOUT
Experiential Curriculum
One of CIT´s marks of identity since its foundation is our ‘Experiential Curriculum’ which corresponds to a holistic view of the learning process: we do not only learn content but also values, competences (capacities, abilities and skills); we do not only learn “from others” (experts and teachers), but also “with others” (by collaborating) and “for others” (engaging socially); we do not only learn by preparing ourselves for an academic future (or career) but also for a professional future by exploring our talents, our options, our preferences, our enjoyment, what allows us to genuinely fulfil ourselves.
Ultimately, we know that we not only learn inside the classroom but that we learn – and learn a lot – from what we dream, plan and do in the context of educational experiences designed with pedagogical principles for our educational community outside the classroom as well. These learning processes, when carried out in a coherent and progressive manner, show what is called character: a set of traits and qualities that determine the way we face the challenges and opportunities that life offers us so that we are in the best position to make the most of them for our own future and that of others.
As a curriculum it has its own structure which is organised as follows:
- objectives
- values
- competencies
- areas of knowledge: optimal project, speech and debate, volunteering or service learning, professional development program (pdp), emotional intelligence and personal development, vocational and professional orientation program, good4us.
- evaluation: personal portfolio
- methodological principles.
To this end, CIT has established a curriculum of activities and experiences that are differentiated, cumulative, evaluable and progressive throughout the twelve years of school life of the students in our school from Primary to the year prior to their access to university, in 2nd Baccalaureate. Each of them has been chosen according to the level of maturity, autonomy and characteristics appropriate to each year group, and covers areas as diverse as sports and healthy leisure activities (sailing, golf, horse-riding, skiing,…), volunteering, multi-adventure trips and expeditions, nature experiences, leadership & emotional outdoor training, Speech & Debate, vocational guidance, among others.
In addition, for Secondary and Baccalaureate students, the Career Guidance and Development Programme for High Employability is included as part of this experiential curriculum. The ‘Personal Portfolio’ is a fundamental tool for compiling and remembering all the experiences and learning that form part of the Experiential Curriculum. It is also a valuable instrument of evaluation and validation of the personal development of each student and for this reason it is an essential part of our educational commitment.
The ‘Experiential Curriculum’ is conceived as an opportunity to enhance, improve and include challenges and moments for a greater and more meaningful personal and professional growth of our students. Within this program of activities, there are some that are mandatory (such as the Optimo Project, speech and debate workshops, first aid course, etc.), which vary according to the age of the students, and others that are voluntary (volunteer opportunities, national debate league, university fairs, workshops, etc.).
3.1 Optimo Project
The Optimo project normally takes place during the months of May and June. We would like to remind the organisation for each group:
PYP4 (Year 2)- Swimming
PYP5 (Year 3)- Farm School (1 night)
PYP6 (Year 4)- Golf
PYP7 (Year 5)- Sailing
PYP8 (Year 6)- Horse Riding
MYP1 – Ski Trip
MYP2 – Cultural Heritage Trip Spain
MYP3 – Multi-Adventure Sea Trip
MYP4 – Multi-Adventure Mountain Trip
MYP5 – Cultural Heritage Trip Europe
DP1- CAS Trip to India
This project is compulsory for CIT students and is designed to work and enhance critical thinking, leadership, socialisation and self-management skills as well as many other sporting skills and cultural heritage.
3.2 BYOD (Bring your own device)
The BYOD project is compulsory for all students from year 5 up to and including DP2. The aim of BYOD is to include the use of new technologies and digital tools for learning and related skills. In order to achieve this, it is essential that each student brings their own device to school to be used in class under the supervision and organisation of each teacher. We understand the risks that exist as well as the latest studies that determine limited use of these devices but we also know that in the digital era it is essential and more necessary than ever, to work with students on critical thinking for a good use of these technologies that are so necessary for human beings.
After almost ten years of this project, being pioneers in Malaga, we have decided that from the school year 2026-2027, it will be compulsory for all students to bring an Apple device. We understand that this may create disparity of opinions but after comparing, talking and comparing all the different brands available for the educational sector, we have considered that Apple is the one that offers us more possibilities from a pedagogical, educational and, above all, security point of view.
Owning a device also entails a great responsibility for students, families and schools. For this reason, from the 2024-2025 school year, all devices will have to have a MDM (Mobile Device Management) installed, allowing teachers to manage tablets during school time and families to manage them when students are at home.
This MDM will be installed during the month of September and it is essential that the tablet or device or computer brought to school is formatted or empty and can be reinstalled as necessary once the MDM is installed.
If you need to know more about what types of devices can be brought to school click here.
If you need to know more about our agreement with Rossellimac for the purchase of devices, click here.
If you need to know more about MDM and its impact and use, click here.
If you have questions about how to format your device, click here.
If you have not yet communicated which device your child will bring to school, click here.
3.3 Language Certificates
Part of our experiential curriculum is also to certify the language level of our students, which allows them to continue living new experiences both in Spain and abroad. The school is authorised by Cambridge as a teaching centre for the preparatory programs to obtain official English Language Certification. Additionally, the school prepares students for the “Alliance Francaise” and “Goëthe Institute” exams for French and German respectively.
We believe this is a unique opportunity and encourage all our students to participate. It is important to understand that these certificates involve an extra effort and preparation as well as a cost associated with the exam fees, which can be taken at the school (unless specified by the different institutes). We kindly ask you to respect the registration process to ensure the organisation of the exams.
The Cambridge exam can be taken from year 3 to DP2. The Goethe and Delf exams can be taken from MYP3 to DP2.
3.4 Speech and Debate
The Speech and Debate program is a unique opportunity for students to develop communication, critical thinking and teamwork skills. Through this program, students have the opportunity to research, argue and present their ideas in a clear and persuasive manner and through debates, improve their ability to listen and respect different points of view. An enriching experience that prepares our students to be confident and effective leaders in the future. During the course they have the opportunity to participate in national debate leagues, this participation is not mandatory but recommended and involves a commitment on behalf of the student to attend the debate preparation sessions. The Speech and Debate workshops that take place during the year with an external trainer are mandatory for all students from MYP2 to MYP5.
3.5 Sports Competitions
At CIT we strongly believe in the importance of sports in the education of our students. During the school year, the selected students will participate in different sports competitions that are organised locally with other schools and sports centres, as well as in our own facilities at no additional cost.
3.6 SERVICE AS ACTION
CIT has its own Volunteers Club with the purpose to empower our students to become active members of our community through seeking out volunteer opportunities in the local area. This club is student driven, but parents and teachers are also needed to support our children in contributing to a community that we are proud to be part of.