Jo Osman, Head of Primary at British School Jakarta (BSJ), shared with Indonesia Expat how the school’s Primary philosophy blends curiosity, wellbeing and academic excellence to shape confident, capable young learners in Jakarta’s international education landscape.
For readers who may not be familiar with the Primary School at BSJ, how would you describe its core philosophy and what makes it distinctive within Jakarta’s international education landscape?
At British School Jakarta (BSJ), our Primary School is shaped by a simple but powerful belief: childhood should be joyful, purposeful and deeply connected to the world around us. Nestled within a beautiful green campus, our children learn amid trees, open skies and expansive outdoor spaces alongside world-class specialist facilities—a rare sense of calm within our vibrant city landscape. What distinguishes BSJ is the intentional balance we create: strong academic foundations interwoven with wellbeing, belonging and genuine student agency from the very start, guided by our vision to develop every child through the Head, Heart, Self and System.
BSJ places strong emphasis on both curiosity-driven learning and student wellbeing. How are these embedded into the daily experience of a BSJ Kindergarten (KG) student?
In our school, curiosity-driven learning is not an add-on; it is the engine of excellence each and every day. Our youngest learners follow the UK’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Development Matters framework, which ensures strong developmentally-appropriate foundations in communication, early literacy and numeracy, physical development and personal growth. Within this structure, children explore through play, inquiry and meaningful projects that emerge from their interests. Teachers carefully observe, question and extend thinking, helping children develop independence, resilience and a love of discovery.
The school follows the EYFS framework in KG. How will the planned Curiosity Approach to learning complement this framework?
Our planned accreditation in the Curiosity Approach further strengthens this work. We are excited to become the first school in Indonesia to achieve this recognition, reflecting our commitment to balancing our rich heritage with innovation and continuous growth. The approach aligns closely with our ethos of curiosity, creativity and holistic development, inviting children to sustain thinking, enrich their imagination and see themselves as capable, resourceful learners within calm, authentic spaces.
There is often a misconception that wellbeing simply means ‘being happy.’ How does BSJ define wellbeing, and why is it so central to learning success in the KG?
At BSJ, wellbeing is far more than children feeling happy. It is about ensuring every child feels safe, seen and valued; that they experience a sense of belonging and learn to understand and regulate their emotions, as well as support the wellbeing of others. Research consistently shows that when children feel secure, self-aware and connected, their capacity to actively engage in learning and thrive in the face of challenges increases significantly.
When BSJ KG children transition to Year 1, what qualities or attributes do you hope they carry with them?
As our KG children transition to Year 1, we hope they carry with them confidence, curiosity and kindness—ready to ask questions, take risks, collaborate with others and see themselves as active participants in their own learning journey.
