Where Curiosity, Character & Critical Thinking Meet: XCLerate Future Skills Programme at XWA
As technology and artificial intelligence reshapes how we live, work, and learn, leading education systems around the world are rethinking what children need to thrive. Schools across major hubs such as Dubai and China have already begun mandating AI education from the early years. At XCL World Academy (XWA), this future-focused shift is already a reality.
XWA is among the first international schools in Singapore to integrate tech and AI skills development from as young as four, embedding it meaningfully within a rigorous academic framework. Through its flagship XCLerate Future Skills Programme, XWA is not only preparing students for what’s next, but also reinforcing Singapore’s position as a global leader in education innovation.
What is the XCLerate Future Skills Programme at XCL World Academy?
XCLerate is XCL World Academy’s bespoke future skills programme created for Primary students from KG2 to Grade 5, fully integrated into the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP). Designed to prepare children for an AI-driven, rapidly changing world, the programme balances innovation with strong academic foundations.
Delivered through weekly sessions embedded into existing learning, XCLerate develops essential future-ready competencies across:
• Creative Arts
• Community Action
• AI and Technology
• Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy
• Design Thinking
• Student Leadership
By starting as early as age four, students grow into confident, capable learners who are equipped not just with knowledge, but with the skills to apply it meaningfully.
“XCLerate was designed to prepare children for an AI-driven, rapidly changing world while maintaining strong academic foundations. By embedding future skills into learning from as early as age four, we ensure students grow into confident, capable learners who are ready for what lies ahead.”
— Maria Sweeney, Principal, Early and Primary Years at XCL World Academy
Why XCL World Academy Created the XCLerate Future Skills Programme
XCL World Academy identified a clear gap between traditional education models, and the skills students will need in future workplaces shaped by artificial intelligence, global interconnectedness, and rapid technological change.
While many parents are seeking an international school education that genuinely “future-proofs” their children, innovation and technology are often treated as optional add-ons. XCLerate was created to address this gap by making AI learning and future skills a core part of education from the earliest years, rather than something introduced later or taught in isolation.
This approach was taken to ensure students don’t just use technology, but learn how to think, create, and lead alongside it.
Why future skills and AI enabled learning matter in International Education
The pillars of XCLerate were identified in response to global workforce trends and the growing demand for AI-related skills. Research consistently highlights the increasing importance of adaptability, creativity, ethical decision-making, and leadership in modern careers.
Together, these future skills prepare students to:
• Collaborate effectively with technology and AI
• Respond to global challenges such as sustainability and climate change
• Think entrepreneurially and understand real-world economics
• Communicate across cultures in an interconnected world
• Lead with empathy, responsibility, and confidence
For families seeking an international school in Singapore that goes beyond academics, XCLerate offers a holistic and forward-looking learning experience.
What Students Experience in the XCLerate Programme
XCLerate focuses on real problems to solve, not worksheets to complete. Learning is built around authentic challenges that matter beyond the classroom.
Across every grade level, six core themes are woven together: Community Action Service, Creative Arts, AI & Coding, Financial Literacy & Entrepreneurship, Design Thinking, and Student Leadership.
Examples of student learning include:
• Kindergarten students partnering with local wildlife rescue organisations to create digital posters and videos about animal conservation
• Older students exploring Singapore’s transition to renewable energy and designing sustainable solutions
• Students using safe AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot to research historical events and transform their learning into podcasts or digital timelines
• Coding games from scratch and programming environmental sensors to monitor change over time
• Designing, 3D printing, and pitching products to investors while calculating production costs, pricing, and profit margins
Technology is never taught in isolation. Instead, AI learning and digital tools are used as part of meaningful projects that also develop empathy, critical thinking, creativity, and resilience.
“We want students solving real-world problems, not completing worksheets. Technology and AI are tools for deeper learning—helping children connect ideas, create meaningful outcomes, and build skills that extend far beyond the classroom.”
— Jade Ackers, XCLerate Programme Lead
An International School Programme Fully Integrated into the IB Curriculum
XCLerate is not an add-on. It is woven directly into XWA’s IB Primary Years Programme.
Each 45-minute weekly session connects to students’ current Unit of Inquiry, ensuring technology and innovation deepen learning rather than distract from it. For example:
• When Grade 4 students explore energy and environmental impact, they apply design thinking to prototype sustainable solutions aligned with Singapore’s Green Plan, create energy simulations through coding, and present viable proposals using entrepreneurial skills.
• When Grade 5 students investigate historical events, they use AI research tools and digital creation platforms to produce authentic historical narratives aligned with the IB theme Where We Are in Place and Time.
The programme deliberately builds on the IB’s Approaches to Learning (ATL) Skills, strengthening thinking, communication, social, self-management, and research skills. XCLerate positions AI and technology as tools for inquiry, action, and reflection – the very heart of IB education.
A Progressive Programme from Early Years to Upper Primary
The strength of the XCLerate Programme lies in its developmental progression.
• Early Years: Students build digital literacy foundations, follow multi-step processes, and understand cause-and-effect in technology.
• Grades 1–2: Children apply simple design thinking frameworks, make informed choices between tools, and develop resilience through problem-solving.
• Middle Primary: Students grow in technical capability through coding, 3D design, spatial reasoning, and iterative design processes.
• Upper Primary: Learners independently manage complex projects, conduct research using AI tools appropriately, and demonstrate self-direction and metacognitive awareness.
This scaffolding ensures students transition into secondary school as confident creators and not beginners – ready to engage with advanced learning and complex real-world challenges.
Strengthening Singapore’s Leadership in AI Education
As AI education becomes a priority worldwide, programmes like XCLerate play a critical role in keeping Singapore at the forefront of global education. By embedding AI learning from the early years within a strong international school framework, XCL World Academy is preparing students not just for exams, but for the future.
For parents seeking an international school in Singapore that combines academic excellence with meaningful AI and future skills education, XCLerate offers a compelling and proven approach.
Watch XCLerate in action: Book a Tour at XCL World Academy
The best way to understand how XCLerate prepares children for an AI-driven future is to see it in action.
Book a personalised school tour at XCL World Academy and discover how our integrated approach to AI learning, innovation, and the IB curriculum helps students thrive from as young as four.
