TAQAROB INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL IRBID

The Philosophy of Taqarob

The name Taqarob (تقارب) is Arabic for 'closeness' or 'proximity,' and this concept lies at the heart of everything the school does. Founded in 2009 in Irbid, Jordan, Taqarob International School was built on the belief that education flourishes when the distance between teachers and students — and between schools and families — is minimised.

A Relational Approach to Education

Unlike schools that prioritise academic rigour above all else, Taqarob frames its entire educational model around relationships. Teachers are encouraged to know their students deeply, to understand their individual learning styles and personal challenges, and to act as mentors as much as instructors. Parents are regarded not as passive observers but as active partners in their children's educational journeys.

This philosophy has practical implications for how the school operates: communication channels between staff and parents are kept open and accessible, and school culture is described as warm and collaborative rather than hierarchical.

Mental Mapping as a Pedagogical Tool

Since its founding, Taqarob has distinguished itself by being among the first schools in the region to integrate mental mapping (mind mapping) systematically into its curriculum. This technique — which involves creating visual diagrams to represent ideas, concepts, and their relationships — is used across subjects to help students organise their thinking, make connections between ideas, and retain information more effectively.

The use of mental mapping is not merely a classroom novelty but reflects a deeper commitment to developing students' capacity for creative and independent thinking. By visualising knowledge rather than simply memorising it, students are trained to approach problems with flexibility and originality.

Holistic Balance

Taqarob also emphasises the importance of balance — between academic achievement and personal wellbeing, between intellectual development and character formation. The school's motto and communications consistently refer to nurturing the whole child, not just the student who performs well on examinations.

This philosophy, combined with the Cambridge IGCSE curriculum, positions Taqarob as a school that takes international academic standards seriously while remaining grounded in values of human connection and community.

History of Taqarob International School

Founding and Early Vision

Taqarob International School was established in 2009 in Irbid, Jordan's second-largest city and a major centre of education and culture in the northern part of the country. The school was founded with an ambitious vision: to provide a world-class international education to students in Irbid, a city home to major universities and a growing professional community, but historically underserved by international schooling options.

From the outset, the founders sought to differentiate Taqarob not simply by offering a foreign curriculum, but by introducing genuinely innovative pedagogy. The integration of mental mapping from the school's earliest days was a deliberate choice to signal that this was not a school content to replicate conventional teaching methods.

Cambridge International Accreditation

A significant milestone in the school's development was its accreditation by Cambridge Assessment International Education, which authorised Taqarob to deliver the IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) programme. This accreditation connected the school to a global network of Cambridge International schools and provided its students with internationally recognised qualifications.

Growth and Community Presence

Over the years since its founding, Taqarob has built a presence as a recognised institution within the Irbid community, serving both local Jordanian families seeking international education and expatriate families based in the region. The school is located in the Sala Arbella area of Irbid, near the Amman Complex, making it accessible within the city.

Ongoing Commitment

More than fifteen years after its founding, Taqarob continues to operate under the same core philosophy with which it was established: that closeness, creativity, and a commitment to world-class standards are the foundations of excellent education.

Academic Culture at Taqarob International School

The Cambridge IGCSE Framework

Taqarob International School's academic programme is anchored in the Cambridge IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) curriculum, delivered by Cambridge Assessment International Education. This internationally recognised framework provides students with rigorous, subject-specific preparation and qualifications that are accepted by universities and schools worldwide.

The Cambridge IGCSE is known for its emphasis on deep subject knowledge, analytical skills, and independent thinking — values that align closely with Taqarob's own educational philosophy.

Mental Mapping: A Distinctive Pedagogical Signature

What sets Taqarob apart from many other Cambridge-accredited schools is its pioneering use of mental mapping (mind mapping) as a core instructional tool. Since the school's founding in 2009, teachers have incorporated visual thinking techniques into daily lessons across subjects, helping students:

• Organise complex information in a visual, memorable format
• Identify connections between concepts across different subjects
• Enhance recall through structured, creative note-taking
• Develop original thinking by mapping out ideas before writing or problem-solving

This approach was introduced at a time when few schools in the region were experimenting with such methods, positioning Taqarob as an educational innovator in Irbid.

Language of Instruction

Instruction at Taqarob is primarily delivered in English, consistent with the requirements of the Cambridge IGCSE programme. Arabic, as the national language of Jordan, also forms part of the school's offering, ensuring students maintain proficiency in both languages.

Creativity and Critical Thinking as Outcomes

The school explicitly frames its academic ambitions not merely in terms of examination results but in terms of the capabilities students develop. The goal is to produce graduates who are creative, analytically capable, and intellectually curious — students who can thrive in international university environments and in professional life.

Community Context and School Ethos

Irbid: Jordan's Northern Education Hub

Taqarob International School is located in Irbid, Jordan's second-largest city, situated in the north of the country near the borders with Syria and Israel. Irbid is home to the University of Jordan's Faculty of Medicine and Yarmouk University, among other major academic institutions, making it a city with a strong culture of education and intellectual achievement.

The city's university presence attracts a community of academics, professionals, and international staff, many of whom seek high-quality international schooling for their children. This context has shaped Taqarob's identity as an institution serving both local Jordanian families who value international credentials and expatriate or internationally-oriented families resident in northern Jordan.

The School-Family Partnership

A defining feature of Taqarob's community ethos is the explicit emphasis on school-family closeness. The school's very name encapsulates this value, and it is reflected in how the school approaches parent communication, involvement, and partnership. Parents are not seen as external stakeholders but as integral members of the school community whose engagement directly supports student success.

A Welcoming Environment

The school describes itself as providing a warm, supportive environment where students feel known and valued. With a team characterised as 'distinguished, proactive, and persevering,' Taqarob aims to create a campus culture in which both students and staff are motivated by shared values of excellence and human connection.

Accessibility and Location

The school is located in the Sala Arbella area of Irbid, near the Amman Complex, providing reasonable accessibility within the city. Contact is available through the school's dedicated email and telephone number, and the school maintains an active online presence to support current and prospective families.