By definition every child is unique and every child has different learning needs. Among educators, the ongoing process that increases access and engagement of all learners in learning is known as inclusion. Furthermore, the generic term “learning support” rather than “special educational needs (SEN) has been adopted in SIS, as we feel it caters best for the wide spectrum of learning needs along a continuum.

Valuing diversity and difference is a key aspect of becoming more internationally minded and is an important goal of all IB programmes.

Hence at SIS our three IB Programmes (PYP, MYP and DP) are inclusive as they can cater to the needs of all students. Inclusive education involves responding positively to each student’s unique learning profile, including students with diverse learning needs. The central place of Approaches to Learning (ATL) helps teachers and students respond in a flexible way to those students who have learning support requirements.

Students with Learning Support requirements may:

• display difficulties or live with conditions that are a barrier to learning and therefore need particular teaching strategies for classroom management and effective education.
• display a higher than average aptitude in one or more subjects that requires adaptation and extension of the curriculum.
• have the aptitude to meet all curriculum and assessment requirements but require support to reach their full potential in learning and assessment.
• require support to access teaching and learning including planned strategies to access curricular instruction and inclusive assessment arrangements to access assessment.

At SIS we provide students with the support they need in order to set and meet individual learning targets. Differentiation is an integral part of teaching and learning. This may involve utilizing collaborative and cooperative learning, a variety of learning practices, creative approaches to teaching and learning, differing formats and modes of exploring and presenting knowledge and understanding being made available to the students. However, in those cases where students require instruction beyond regular teaching practices, learning support is provided. Following the school’s Learning diversity/Inclusion policy, the student’s learning needs are considered on an individual basis and, when necessary, Learning Support is provided by our successful Learning Support team.

For more information, please refer to the SIS Student Support Handbook (which includes the SIS Learning diversity/Inclusion policy).