IB Career-related Programme - Rotterdam International Secondary School

The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Career-related Programme (CP) is a framework of international education that incorporates the vision and educational principles of the IB into a unique programme specifically developed for students who wish to engage in career-related learning.

The CP provides a comprehensive educational framework that combines highly regarded and internationally recognized courses, from the IB Diploma Programme (DP), with a unique CP core and an approved career-related study.

Students in the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (CP) engage with a rigorous study programme that genuinely interests them, while gaining transferable and lifelong skills in applied knowledge, critical thinking, communication, and cross-cultural engagement.

The CP is designed for students interested in pursuing a career-related education in the final two years of secondary school. It provides them with an excellent foundation to support their further studies as well as ensure their preparedness for success in the workforce.

"Like me, a lot of 16 year olds don’t know what they want to do for the rest of their life so by taking CP I felt like my choices were much more diverse and I wasn’t limited to going to university or going into the world of work. My opportunities were kept more open, so depending on what path I took, there were no limitations.” - Student

The IB learner profile - which aligns completely with our school mission statement - encourages students to become globally minded citizens and foster attributes to become responsible members of our local, global and national and global communities.

All CP students must meet the four additional requirements to obtain their IB CP Certificate, called the Core components.

Personal and Professional Skills (PPS) - students develop skills and strategies and apply them to personal and professional situations.
Community Engagement - this programme of activities is pursued outside the classroom, where students maintain a long-term relationship with the community.
The Reflective Project - promotes research done over an extended period of time. This body of work leads to intellectual discovery, creativity, and a high skill of reflexivity.
Language and Cultural Studies - the LCS component not only encourages students to improve their language proficiencies, but it develops both linguistic and cultural repertoires.

A Dynamic Program

Empowering Future Entrepreneurs: Our Dynamic CP Program
At our school, the CP program is more than just a curriculum - it’s a transformative journey where students don’t just learn about business, they live it. From day one, we challenge our students to step into the shoes of entrepreneurs, equipping them with the skills, mindset, and real-world experience to thrive in an ever-evolving world. Regarding the academic part, students study and apply business theory in the BTEC Business career-related subject. In Pearson BTEC, there is a syllabus that offers a range of business subject choices that can be aligned with the activities and journey within the CP program.

Year One: Building Business from the Ground Up
In their first year, students dive headfirst into the world of entrepreneurship by creating and running their own companies. This isn’t just a classroom exercise; it’s a year-long commitment to innovation, problem-solving, and making a tangible impact. Students identify gaps in the market, develop business plans, and bring their ideas to life. All while learning the critical skills of planning, logistics, finance, and marketing.

The year culminates in two major milestones: participating in a national entrepreneurship competition, where students pitch their ideas and compete with peers from across the country, and organising a high-profile official event, which tests their ability to manage complex logistics and deliver under pressure.

Year Two: Mastering Business in Action
In the second year, students deepen their business understanding by applying marketing and financial theory to real-world scenarios. They tackle challenges that businesses face daily, practising their problem-solving skills and learning to think like business leaders. The curriculum is designed to be dynamic, ensuring students are always connecting classroom lessons to the realities of the business world.

Beyond the Classroom

Real-World Connections
Our program extends far beyond textbooks and lectures. We believe in learning by doing, which is why we visit leading companies and engage with industry experts. Students explore real-world logistics operations and participate in interactive supply-chain workshops hosted by Breda University of Applied Sciences. Being based in Rotterdam, a hub for logistics and supply chains, gives our students unparalleled access to industry leaders.

Furthermore, we maintain relationships with companies in Amsterdam. We explore innovative sectors like energy supply and storage, and learn from socially responsible businesses involved in the sustainable production of chocolate, which embody the entrepreneurial spirit we aim to cultivate.

Expert Insights and Community Impact
To enrich their learning, students hear from guest speakers who are experts in fields like market research, social media marketing, and more. These interactions provide invaluable insights and help students understand what we learn at a much deeper level.

But our program isn’t just about preparing for a career - it’s about making a difference. Students engage in community projects, from greenhouse gardening, anti-littering campaigns, to baking for the community members in need, and gaining work experience by volunteering and helping at events like TEDx in Rotterdam. These experiences teach them the importance of giving back and build a sense of responsibility toward their community.

The CP Difference

The CP Difference
What sets our CP program apart is its focus on students’ personal growth. Our students don’t just gain academic knowledge and research skills - they develop into proactive, independent thinkers who are ready to take on the world. They learn to reach out, explore, and connect, ensuring they leave our program not just as skilled professionals but as thoughtful and engaged global citizens who are prepared to make a positive impact.

In the CP program, we don’t just teach business - we inspire, transform and prepare our students to make an impact as leaders and innovators.

Inside the BTEC - CP1

First Year

Launch and Run Enterprise - students research the market and create and run their own business throughout the whole first year. At this stage, they have already applied newly learned ideas from the areas of marketing and finance.

Creative Promotion - students match the marketing's promotional mix with their own business strategic vision.

Sales Techniques - students learn about techniques to formalise, track and report on their company's sales.

Managing an Event - students organise an important formal event while they analyse risks, prepare for contingencies, and execute on financial planning.

Inside the BTEC - CP2

Second Year

Exploring Business - theoretical unit exploring types and structures of business. Students learn what a successful business looks like.

Marketing Campaign - students do market research and create a marketing campaign using a specific budget. They again apply their knowledge of finance and marketing.

Business Finance - this unit requires students to present solutions to a challenging business case. This requires a good understanding and interpretation of financial data and final accounts.

Decision Making - the peak of this business course. Students utilise their knowledge to help a business make a crucial decision in order to survive.

Work Experience - students find jobs (short-term internships) and gain experience working in real companies.

"Applied studies gave me a deeper insight in subjects and a more interesting complete overview." - Student

Subject Choices

Candidates study the BTEC International Level 3 Diploma in Business and three IB DP subjects as part of the IB CP.

The diagram below will allow you to draw a potential subject package for students wishing to come to our school, by selecting one subject from each column. However, your subject selection will be confirmed and approved once you have met with our school's Deputy Principal or IB Programme Coordinator.

We need to emphasise that our subject offer will depend on student numbers opting for them and teacher availability.

Curriculum Scope and Sequence Grade 11 & 12 CP

The curriculum scope and sequence documents at RISS outlines the key knowledge, skills, and concepts students learn in each grade and how these develop over time. Our curriculum is carefully planned to ensure learning builds progressively, enabling students to deepen their understanding and grow in confidence as they move through the school. This approach provides clarity, coherence, and continuity across subjects, while supporting teachers to make meaningful connections between topics and year groups. The scope and sequence is a living document and is regularly reviewed and refined in response to student needs, assessment insights, and evolving educational best practice, ensuring our curriculum remains rigorous, relevant, and responsive.

Scope and Sequence
Grade 11 and 12 CP

Click here to apply for the IB CP!