What is Learning Support? A proportion of students in any school population may require additional support with their studies. At GIS, we are able to offer additional support and specialist teaching for a limited number of students, in the short or longer term. Students receiving Learning Support include many with high ability levels, talents and great potential. Other students may have a Special Educational Need with which we can offer support.
Our aim at GIS is to assist all students to achieve their true and full potential in all areas of the curriculum, in partnership with parents - including achieving a high level of academic and examination success. All students follow the full curriculum.
Which students do we support? GIS considers all applications; however, in the case of a child with physical, mobility or sensory impairment (including things like hearing or visual impairment) each application is considered carefully to ensure we can offer an appropriate and suitable learning environment.
Parents often are able to provide background information on admission that helps Learning Support staff to consider the learning needs of the child. This could include advice from professionals such as medical practitioners, therapists or Educational Psychologists as well as current school reports and individual Education plans.
In addition, teaching or pastoral staff may refer an existing student who they consider may benefit from additional support. Similarly, parents may approach Learning Support for advice at any time.
NB: Students with English as an Additional or Second Language needs are supported separately by the EAL programme.
What do Learning Support then do? Learning Support staff liase with parents and other staff to build a clear picture of a student’s learning needs. They are also qualified and trained to use a range of internationally standardised assessment materials, where this may help to add to the picture. Learning Support staff and parents then plan how best to support the student – this may take the form of specialist teaching, guidance or in-class support. At each stage, parents are consulted and are involved. The plan is regularly reviewed; some students may require short-term support, others for longer, to achieve their true potential.
When do students have Learning Support lessons? Students have their Learning Support lessons in place of one of their Modern Foreign Language options in Key Stage 3. Some students may have Learning Support in place of one IGCSE option in Key Stage 4.
Where do students have Learning Support lessons? Learning Support offers dedicated, well-resourced rooms, including providing up-to-date specialist computer software and dedicated ICT facilities.
Who are the Learning Support staff? Learning Support is taught by qualified and highly experienced professional Learning Support teachers, who have a wide range of experience with many different types of educational needs and with students in Malaysia and the United Kingdom, as well as in other high calibre international schools around the world.
What other support do Learning Support teachers offer? Learning Support teachers also support other faculties with their teaching. This may take the form of in-class support, small group teaching within a class or with curriculum and lesson planning. Learning Support staff also provide background information on students and provide advice and training for all teaching staff with the aim of supporting all students effectively.
What areas are covered in Learning Support lessons? Students have targeted teaching to support their needs in literacy and/or numeracy. In addition, all students are taught study and learning techniques, as well as receiving help with organisation. When necessary, Learning Support teachers will also help students who are experiencing a particular difficulty in an area of the curriculum.
How might Learning Support help with external examinations? In certain circumstances, for a very few students in each year group, examination boards may grant special arrangements to support particular needs on application by our Examination Officer. This includes examinations such as NCT Key 3 tests, IGCSE and A-Level. This would only be applied for after consultation with parents and requires supporting evidence. The aim of special arrangements is to provide the opportunity for every student sitting an examination to demonstrate their full ability and understanding. Examinations are not modified or ¡®made easier¡¯ at all; only the circumstances of sitting the examination may be modified in certain cases. It is a common concession granted by all international examination boards these days.
What happens when my child leaves GIS? If a student is moving to another school, they may offer a similar type of support. In this case, we will help parents to liase with the new school and help to provide continuity of support in the student’s school career.
GIS has also been able to provide support and teaching for students with the following Special Needs: Specific Learning Difficulty (including Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Dyscalculia etc) Speech and Language Difficulty (mild) Hearing Impairment (mild) Visual Impairment (mild) Physical/Mobility Impairment (mild) Asperger’s Syndrome (mild)
Again, each application is considered individually and very carefully to ensure that GIS is an appropriate school and that we can offer the necessary facilities and appropriate education for each student. It is often helpful to meet with the student and parents during this process.
