Experiental Learning
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Students benefit from learning in many different ways, and at ICS, our classroom work is combined with outdoor activities that help students build skills and confidence.
At ICS, learning extends far beyond the classroom walls. Experiential learning is embedded into our curriculum as a vital part of our students’ educational journey. Our field trips are not one-off experiences but living extensions of classroom learning where concepts and skills are applied in authentic, real-world contexts. These experiences bring enquiry to life, allowing students to connect ideas across subjects, explore the relationships between people and places, and engage in reflection and action—key elements of an IB education.
Through these immersive learning opportunities, students deepen their understanding of global and local issues, develop intercultural awareness, and strengthen attributes of the IB Learner Profile such as curiosity, open-mindedness, and principled action. Whether conducting hands-on science investigations in alpine ecosystems, engaging with cultural and linguistic communities, or collaborating on service-learning projects, students at ICS experience how their learning has purpose and impact beyond the classroom.
Primary Residential Field Trips
Students in Grades 2 to 5 celebrate the culmination of the academic year with residential field trips that immerse them in Switzerland’s natural and cultural landscapes, travelling to alpine areas such as Murren and Engelberg. These enriching experiences invite students to explore local language, culture, and adventure while strengthening connections to their classroom learning.
Through hands-on activities and shared experiences, students develop key life skills — collaboration, responsibility, adaptability, and independence. Guided by our culture of care, teachers and staff support each student in preparing for the experience, attending to both organisational readiness and social-emotional wellbeing. These trips encourage learners to reflect on their growth and celebrate how they contribute to their communities. Always a highlight of the year, our residential trips are joyful, confidence-building experiences that students remember for years to come.
Middle and Senior School Residential Field Trips
Our Middle and Senior School residential field trips bring each grade level together in distinct and thoughtfully selected locations. The purpose is to strengthen cohort identity, foster positive relationships, and extend learning beyond the classroom setting. While each group engages in age-appropriate activities during the day, all students share a unified experience that builds a sense of collective purpose and belonging.
Tutors and support tutors accompany their groups, joining activities and modelling teamwork, resilience, and curiosity — qualities that reflect the spirit of the IB Learner Profile. The trips help students stretch beyond their comfort zones, exercise leadership, and reflect on the connections between personal growth and community contribution.
All Middle and Senior School residential trips are accessible by train or bus, in line with ICS’s commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable practices. In bringing students together beyond the classroom, these experiences play an essential role in nurturing confident, compassionate, and engaged lifelong learners.