Learning Support

Learning Support for Students with Special Education Needs (SEN)

As an International Baccalaureate World School VIS affirms ‘that all students should be allowed to learn and to demonstrate their ability under conditions that are as fair as possible. Some students will require different teaching and assessment arrangements due to special needs.’

The Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma programmes aim to be as flexible as possible in providing appropriate curriculum, teaching methods and resources for the wide range of capabilities, prior learning and different learning styles of our students within mainstream classes. Additionally, VIS offers some limited support for students with special education needs.

Continuous communication, collaboration and commitment are central to learning support at VIS. A Student Support Team at VIS includes at different times:

• SEN/Learning Support Coordinator
• Primary and Secondary Principal
• PYP, MYP or DP Coordinators
• School counselor
• Parent(s)
• External experts
• Teachers and teaching assistants

The SEN Coordinator works to develop and implement specific teaching and learning strategies to accommodate individual student’s needs. The level of support provided by the SEN Coordinator (e.g. consultation, in-class support and/or withdrawal) is in the best interest of the student and within limitations of the programme and resources. Support programmes are documented in Individual or Classroom Plans. A student’s progress is monitored, their programme reviewed regularly.

MYP and DP special provisions for students with special learning needs

VIS is guided by the International Baccalaureate's belief that all students be allowed to demonstrate their ability under assessment conditions that are as fair as possible. Generally, students with special educational needs must complete all course requirements to receive an MYP or DP record of achievement, certificate or diploma. Some students may be credited with VIS certificates or diplomas, while others may complete some IB courses according to their ability, and be exempted from others resulting in a combined accreditation for their study.