Muscat, the capital city of the Sultanate of Oman, is a thriving metropolis of Omani nationals and tourists from around the world who come to explore the scenic beauty of the mountains, oceans, plateaus, springs, and wadis. Nestled in the heart of this metropolitan city is OurPlanet International School, one of the premier primary schools in the Sultanate.
“OurPlanet International School Muscat aims to foster a multicultural and inquiry-led learning environment in English and Arabic that promotes sustainability and celebrates Oman’s unique cultural identity”
Enlightening the Tenderfoots
Beginning in 2013 with just twenty students spread over three Kindergarten classes and a single Primary Grade One class, the school has evolved as one of the premier institutions imparting quality education to students. Fostering a multicultural and inquiry-led learning environment in English and Arabic, it promotes sustainability and celebrates Oman’s unique cultural identity.
The management firmly believes that caring for the planet’s natural resources is one of mankind’s most essential challenges and responsibilities, and that school is a natural and necessary platform for educating younger generations on their role in ensuring a better future for the planet. The word ‘Planet’ holds a special relevance and meaning for the school. It is derived from the ancient Greek word – planētēs which means ‘wanderer’. The planets are wandering stars but in today’s ever-globalized and interconnected world, every human has become a wanderer.
Weaving the Educational Web
The school’s project-based learning approach is a self-directed learning model designed around research questions, trial and error, teamwork and self-reflection. It is an approach that prepares students very well for university and future life. It is also helpful in promoting collaboration and teamwork, which are essential life skills. Instead of memorization as a learning tool, the International Baccalaureate curriculum encourages inquiry and experimentation, teaching students how to study.
Distinctive attributes that have enhanced the level of education at OurPlanet include:
Commitment to Sustainability
The school has a ‘World Topic of Sustainability’ that is taught throughout the curriculum and campus life, teaching students the possible ways to manage resources and understand the environment. This unique topic has allowed students to see themselves as the stewards of the planet, alongside preserving the resources of our natural world.
Promoting a Multicultural Environment
OurPlanet embraces global culture and traditions and ensures that students are an even mix of Omanis as well as other nationalities from around the world.
Highest Standards of Education
The International Baccalaureate curriculum challenges students to excel in their studies, and encourages both personal and academic achievement. It also allows teachers to provide a rigorous, high-quality education, offering professional development that improves pedagogy and leadership.
Unique Stratagems offered by OurPlanet
OurPlanet began the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) candidacy as soon as it opened its doors. It is now a recognized and accredited IB World School offering the PYP to over three hundred Omani and expat students from Kindergarten to Grade Six. Next year the school will begin the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and will celebrate the graduation of Grade Six students into high school.
Maintaining high academic standards, commitment to multiculturalism and a focus on developing skills has made the IB a popular choice among the International schools. This global programme prepares students for university and future careers.
The IB curriculum develops young minds and hearts – teaching mutual respect and understanding among the students. The programme also fosters personal and academic achievement, challenging students to excel in their studies as well to develop their personality. Creating an environment of inquiry and self-learning gives students the skills to embrace the global changes and adapt to the diverse cultures in the world.
Unity in Diversity
As one of the top-rated educational institutions in Oman, OurPlanet International School has a great mix of nationalities and cultures in a flourishing and friendly environment.
Language
OurPlanet International School embraces multilingualism as it believes that continuous language learning leads to positive cross-cultural attitudes and enhances academic performance across all subjects. While English is the primary language of instruction, management celebrates the diversity of languages and cultural traditions by organizing special events, performances, and awareness activities at regular intervals.
OurPlanet connects students with Omani culture and Arabic is taught daily for every year group. It is the first school in Oman to combine the IB-PYP with the Ministry of Education’s Arabic programme for Omanis, as well as offering Arabic as a second language for expat students. The school is constantly working to align IB Standards and Practices with the Ministry of Education’s Arabic curriculum to impart a unique international education system.
Omani Hearts and International Minds
This motto encapsulates OurPlanet’s appreciation of local culture and sharing of international experiences. Approximately 50% of the students are from Arabic nations, the other half are expatriates from around the globe.
Innovations Resulting in Accolades
Right from its foundation the school believed in teaching students that through understanding the planet and protecting its resources we can help protect the earth for the next generation. Reuse, Reduce, and Recycle are the 3 R’s that form the core of the school’s sustainability program. With the application of project-based learning, the concept of sustainability has become an integral part of the curriculum impacting upon family and social life.
Standing at the forefront of the sustainability revolution in the Sultanate of Oman, the school was nominated for the ‘Oman Green Awards’ in the Education sector in 2014. It has partnered with Plasbin and Sohar Steel to create a community recycling centre along with associating with the Middle East Desalination Research Center (MEDRC) to promote World Water Day and the Walk for Water. Engaging with companies like Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) and conducting annual events like celebrating ‘Earth Week’ are some of the few activities initiated by the school.
Multi-Faceted Excellence – The Leading Light and the Core Team
As the Head of School, Timothy Sloman is responsible for driving the MYP accreditation for OurPlanet. In his educational career spanning over twenty years, he has donned various leadership roles in the UK, USA, Switzerland, and Germany along with founding two schools in the Czech Republic and Saudi Arabia. He has the acumen in managing all three programmes of the IB (primary, middle years and diploma), including the authorization process.
Other members of the leadership team include:
Sayyid Mohamed Al Said
As the owner of the school, Sayyid Mohamed Al Said is an educational visionary with an engineering background. His work on sustainable oil recovery techniques with Petroleum Development Oman has driven his desire to create a sustainable school with high educational standards.
Matthew Green
As the Commercial Director Matthew Green and has been responsible for managing the physical growth of the school through environmentally aware construction and refurbishment of buildings, as well as the implementation of software platforms and workflow procedures to reduce paper and energy wastage in IT, HR and Admissions.
Robert & Martine Jones
OurPlanet International School was started in 2013 by the Founding Principal, Robert Jones, and his wife, Martine Jones who was the curriculum coordinator. Both had a passion for the IB and were dedicated to developing strong environmental educational programmes
Looking Ahead
Creating an innovative and positive learning environment for its students, OurPlanet International School aims to deliver the best academic education and skillsets for students to make them life-long learners who respect themselves, others and the world around them.
