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Netherlands, Arnhem
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Wellbeing is at the heart of Rivers' curriculum and underpins personal development and community life. The Wellbeing curriculum is centred on empathy and compassion and uses six units: intention, interconnection, change, perception, transformation and empathy and compassion, with lead lessons linking to other curriculum areas. It fosters a calmer, more thoughtful, and connected learning environment. Wellbeing aims to develop confidence and self-esteem, help students feel valued, understand and talk about emotions and behaviours, behave responsibly and honestly, learn from mistakes, stay curious, resilient and creative, and treat others with respect. It also supports students to make informed choices about personal and social issues and to become independent and interdependent members of the Rivers community.
Inclusion aims to support and promote an inclusive culture throughout the school, enabling all children to achieve their full academic and social potential, overcoming barriers to learning and participation.
English is the language of instruction in the IB-MYP and IB-DP. Dutch and English are offered at Language A level, with a Dutch A and Dutch B taught in the DP and a Language A self-taught course available in the DP. Five languages are taught at B-level: Dutch and English in both the MYP and DP, and Spanish, German and French in the DP. On arrival, learners are assessed and placed into an EAL programme; English is taught in individual or small group sessions in a safe, stress-free environment. The aims include developing each learner's proficiency in English to participate fully in the curriculum and to support social and emotional needs, with the Learning Village providing targeted blended learning to help EAL learners access the mainstream classroom.
Wellbeing is guided through six units: intention, interconnection, change, perception, transformation and empathy and compassion. Lead lessons explore the main concept and link Wellbeing to other curriculum areas, supported by brain science and philosophy. Through Wellbeing, children develop confidence and self-esteem, value feeling valued, understand and talk about emotions and behaviours, behave responsibly and honestly, make mistakes and learn from them, be curious and resilient, develop creativity and flexibility, and show respect for others. They learn to make informed choices about personal and social issues and to be independent and interdependent members of the community. At the core is an acceptance of each other as humans on a learning journey, fostering a safe and friendly environment in which all can flourish.
There is a Reporting Code on domestic violence and child abuse for all staff, interns, volunteers and contractors; the code provides steps and may involve contacting Veilig Thuis (Safe at Home) for appropriate help. The Reporting Code is available on ManageBac and on the Rivers website. Personal Safety is part of the Rules of Conduct, with an emphasis on keeping themselves and others out of danger and protecting the environment.
Rivers International School Arnhem is a day, co-educational international school serving ages 2–18. The curriculum combines the British National Curriculum at primary with the IB MYP for 11–16 and the Diploma Programme for 16–19. In the primary years, literacy, maths, science, geography, history and ICT follow the British framework, while the Early Years Foundation Stage uses CP to support learning. The Rivers Way emphasizes a formative, visible approach with learners co-constructing success criteria to build ownership and transferable skills; wellbeing and philosophy are woven throughout. The Arnhem campus houses a single complex for nursery, primary and secondary with central library, learning spaces, drama/music room and an enquiry space. A blue route links central areas to the gym, sports room and roof-top outdoor spaces. After-school activities include Rivers Band, Rivers Vocal Group, Model United Nations and student newspaper, with Home Language and CAS linking to DP/MYP. Including English, Dutch and Spanish.
