And with this increased internationalisation has come a realisation of a much wider world outside of our borders, with new cultures and customs alongside newer educational needs.

It is into this new modern Ireland that the International Baccalaureate primary curriculum will come for the first time, with the opening of the International School of Dublin on Pembroke Road in Dublin 4. The International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) is a well-known notfor-profit educational foundation which is active around the world, having been established in 1968 in Geneva.

There are now 1,920 schools in 124 countries, offering the unique Baccalaureate Curriculum to more than half a million children and teenagers aged between three and 19 years.

"The philosophy behind the IBO focuses on the development of global awareness and international citizenship, " explained Karin Bacon, Head of the International School of Dublin. "This means teaching people, from an early age, to be internationally-minded. But, more than this, the International Baccalaureate has identified a number of attributes, which we try to develop through our teachings, and which are representative of its students.

These students are enquiring.

They are critical thinkers.

They are knowledgeable, and they are risk-takers. They are principled, and open minded, caring and reflective. And while there are many schools which may have some of those ideals as part of their aim, the Baccalaureate Curriculum in the only one which explicitly states them."

While the International School is especially for those in the international community, whose lives are more transient, and whose children may have already been in another school offering the International Baccalaureate, it could equally be appropriate for Irish families which have been abroad and have experience of the Curriculum - or, indeed, for other Irish families looking for something a little different.

Indeed, one of the reasons for the establishment of the International School of Dublin has been then involvement of DEPFA ACS bank, which identified the need, established a committee, and is now sponsor of the school.

"The project started because the bank noticed over time that international people often had problems finding schools for their children - usually because many private schools were at full capacity, " said Michael Deeny, managing director of DEPFA ACS and chairman of the International School of Dublin. "Our chairman was very familiar with the International Baccalaureate, and so it was decided that we should support the project to see whether we could bring it to Dublin."

Despite its strong international focus, and overall progressive ethos, the Curriculum dovetails with the Irish primary and secondary curricula - indeed, students with experience of the International School could prosper in a mainstream school because, through the international system, they have become more independent learners, able to take more responsibility for their own studies.

The International School of Dublin is housed in a former primary schoolhouse on Pembroke Road, and the first intake of students (in September) will consist of four to nine-year-olds. The Baccalaureate Programme begins with the Primary Years Programme (for three to 12-year-olds), followed by a Middle Years Programme (up to 16 years), and finally a Diploma Programme (16 to 19). Graduates of the Diploma will be able to apply for Irish Universities through the CAO, but, because of the international nature of the qualifications, International Baccalaureate students have been accepted at some of the most prestigious third-level institutions worldwide.

The International School of Dublin will host two information sessions on Monday, February 12, in the Burlington Hotel, Donnybrook, Dublin 4 (at 10.00 am and 7.00 pm).

For further information, contact 01 7922563 or e-mail info@internationalschooldublin. ie.