At St Andrews International School Bangkok, our mission is to provide an inclusive, international education in a safe, happy, supportive and stimulating environment where all needs of the learner are met. Our dedication to inclusive education is reflected in our non-selective admissions process. We recognise the many factors that may influence the rate at which a child develops academically and socially. Therefore, we strive to have an extensive support network to nurture all our students’ development.
How Do We Support Our Students?
- One team, one community who work together
- Personalised and stimulating curriculum
- Supportive Therapists & Specialists
- Attentive Learning Support Assistants (LSAs)
- Strong communication with our families
- Opportunities in the community
Special Educational Needs (SEN) Programmes – STARS and Embracing Differences
We created the STARS and Embracing Differences (ED) programmes to support our SEN learners, designing learning around individual students and their needs within a dynamic school environment. The curriculum is delivered at each child’s ‘edge of learning’ and runs alongside comprehensive functional and social skills programmes. This well-balanced approach develops knowledge and understanding throughout their learning at St Andrews.
The STARS and ED Specialists work closely together with students to encourage their strengths and talents. Where there are opportunities to access mainstream classes, we facilitate participation and engagement. The programmes build confidence, relationships, resilience and progressive thinking.
Our Specialists
We use a Transdisciplinary Approach, collaborating closely through child-centred practice. Our Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Art Therapists, Play Therapists and Physiotherapists work with the educational team to highlight how they can develop pupils’ skills across various school learning opportunities. In addition, we offer the Orton-Gillingham (OG) Dyslexia Program.
Tailored Therapy
- Direct one-on-one therapy
- Group therapy, e.g. social Skills, vocational opportunities such as cooking classes
- ‘Push in’ type therapies (e.g. supporting children at lunch/snack time, mainstream class, pool etc.)
- Therapists advise strategies and resources for at home and school.
We focus on practical and dynamic learning experiences that foster social communication skills and are crucial to curricular tasks.
To learn more about our SEN programmes, click here.
Other Learning Support Programmes Offered
- Learning Support Provision
- Learning Support Assistant Programme
- Orton Gillingham (OG) Dyslexia Programme
- Homework Club
Learning Support Provision
Learning Support for students is delivered in-class, in small groups or one to one withdrawal depending on the nature of the activity and the specific needs of the student. Our focus is not wholly academic as we also endeavour to foster students’ social skills and self-esteem. This support is further extended by the Learning Support Assistant professional development programme.
Learning Support Assistant Programme
Some children have needs like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which means that they find it challenging to work independently in a classroom. We have developed a programme where a child can have individual support from a Learning Support Assistant (LSA) so that they can be educated in a mainstream class environment with their peers. Our Learning Support specialists and coordinators have trained the LSAs to plan and deliver individual support programmes to children within the mainstream classroom. This support could be full-time or a percentage of the mainstream teaching time.
Orton Gillingham (OG) Dyslexia Programme
The OG approach has been effectively used as a literacy intervention for over 70 years; it is evidence-based, multi-sensory, cumulative and sequential. This method ensures students are learning literacy in a direct and engaging manner for all learner styles. This programme continually challenges students with new concepts, building the learning of language into meaningful experiences throughout their education.
Overcoming ADHD and Dyslexia – Engraved in St Andrews history: Björn Schreiner 45 Points – read full feature here
Homework Club
This is an opportunity for students to seek assistance with homework, revise work covered in class or receive extra instruction in the learning material they might have found difficult to understand initially. The Homework Club is staffed by the High School Learning Support team members, who provide targeted and general support in a friendly environment with access to ICT facilities and academic resources.
Outside Agencies
There are times when a child’s learning requires further investigation by other professionals. Our school continually works with other agencies in Bangkok, including Educational Psychologists and Speech and Occupational Therapists, to provide our students with the best and well-rounded support. These professionals come to our school when necessary to assess children and have their own facilities where our students may receive additional focused support relating to their particular needs. Relationships in our community with partners such as STEPS, LEAP (Learning and Educational Advocacy Programme), and The Rainbow Room Special Needs Awareness Centre.
For more information, please email us at [email protected] or contact us at +662 381 2387 to arrange a personalised meeting. And to learn more, please visit our website www.standrews.ac.th.
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