Learning Support

St. Andrews International School, Sukhumvit 107 welcomes students for whom English is not their first language.

Our academically robust, comprehensive and high level English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme is tailored and resourced to provide optimal conditions for the academic and personal success of students. Space is limited and we therefore suggest you arrange enrolment in the EAL programme once your place has been confirmed. 

The programme aims:

• To provide immediate, short term acquisition of sufficient English to ensure a seamless integration into both academic and social school life
• To strategically assist students to acquire a developed English proficiency to ensure success in the mainstream classroom without EAL support

At St. Andrews, language support is available to all students for whom English is not a first Language from Nursery onwards, in a number of forms, dependent on the level of support required.

St. Andrews International School, Sukhumvit 107 is proud to host students from over 30 countries as we embrace and celebrate our internationalism. The EAL programme is delivered by specialist language teachers with specific pedagogical experience, either Primary or Secondary.

In order to maximise the benefits and outcomes of the programme and to ensure EAL and language acquisition is a whole school focus at St. Andrews, all staff are exposed professionally to the theory and pedagogy of English language teaching.

We understand that many children could need additional support at some time during their education for a wide variety of reasons. Learning Support Provision at St. Andrews International School, Sukhumvit 107 is personalised for each child, using an ‘Assess, Plan, Do, Review’ response method to meet each child’s unique and diverse needs. Students, parents, school staff and if relevant, any external therapists meet regularly to set challenging goals and work together as a team to ensure they are accomplished.

Inclusion

We are an inclusive and an academically non-selective school, although we do assess each child on entry to ensure we are appropriately equipped to meet their need.

Classes are small at St. Andrews, meaning that in most cases special needs are able to be met within class with high quality teaching and differentiated learning opportunities. Although, in some cases we may assess that your child needs some additional learning support in order to meet their full potential.

We offer a range of Learning Support services that include:

• Targeted interventions from the learning support coordinator or learning support caseworkers
• One to one support from a learning support assistant
• Learning mentor drop in sessions to remove barriers to learning
• School counsellor
• Speech and language therapist
• Daily drop in study support sessions in the school library
• In class support and strategies from the learning support coordinator
• Exam technique and revision sessions
• Educational testing for Access Arrangements

We have links with a wide variety of external educational services should the need arise

• Educational psychologists - if students need a more in depth assessment.
• Occupational therapists
• Child psychiatrists

An Individual Education Plan is known as an IEP, is a personalised plan and record of action undertaken to ensure that students with additional needs to those of their peers are fully included in the life of our learning community and have equal opportunity to fulfil their potential.

An IEP is written by the classroom teacher with the support from the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) and Learning support assistants (LSA) who work with a particular child. 
It should:

• Be a working document with a practical value in the present moment.
•  Act as a profile outlining student’s particular strengths and difficulties.
•  Actively involve the student, parents/carers, colleagues and where necessary external agencies.
•  Outline action additional and different to everyday classroom practice, taking into account what the student can already do independently.
• Be accessible to all involved.

At St. Andrews we write IEPs only for those students placed on the SEN register with multiple additional needs and clearly identified as currently underachieving or having underachieved within the past 12 months.

By partnering with St Andrews Sukhumvit 107 International School, we can offer neurodivergent children something truly unique. They can now attend a Steps vocational centrehttps://stepscommunity.com/education/find-our-vocational-centres/, and train in a Steps cafe, onsite at the St Andrews campus.

"When we speak about inclusion, we speak about creating a place where everyone feels accepted for who they are. We’ve managed to create this environment within our current vocational centres and cafes, but it will never be enough until it starts to expand beyond the spaces we manage to wider society. What better place to start than a school, where the perceptions of the decision makers and employers of the future are being shaped" –  Max Simpson, CEO, Steps

An alternative approach to education in a traditional academic setting

Steps has opened a vocational centre at St Andrews Sukhumvit 107, marking a groundbreaking education setting for Thailand. It represents a truly inclusive new school model which brings together traditional education and alternative pathways for children who need them. As well as the vocational centre, Steps is now running the campus cafe where trainees on their programme can gain hands-on work experience.

Why should I consider Steps at St Andrews Sukhumvit 107 for my child?

Rather than learning in a completely separate environment, learners can join elements of mainstream school (such as tutor groups, PE, music) alongside following their own specialist curriculum which prepares them for employment/further education and independence.

Trainees can remain in the programme until age 21, in a safe, supportive environment. This works well for those young people aren’t ready for college or university at 18.

Once they are ready to graduate, Steps’ existing extensive list of employment partners http://www.stepscommunity.com/our-partners spans a range of industries and 100% of our graduates have found employment.

If you have more than one child, siblings or other family members can be together at one school

A wide range of internal work experience and internship opportunities will be created within the school, not just for trainees but for all students.

What are the programmes on offer?

Learners aged 14-18 years will follow the Steps Preparation for the Future Programme https://stepscommunity.com/education/preparation-for-the-future-programme/ allowing them to gain ASDAN qualifications in Independent Living, Workright, and Hospitality, as well as begin work experience

Learners aged over 18 will follow the Steps Transition to Employment Programme https://stepscommunity.com/education/transition-to-employment/ which helps them explore opportunities for the future and begin moving into internships at our partner companies

Learners will also have the opportunity to join mainstream, iGCSE, BTEC, and IB classes where appropriate

How can I find out more about enrolling?

You can read more about the admission and enrolment process for Steps here https://stepscommunity.com/admission-enrollment/. Please contact us ewest@standrews-schools.com if you want to talk through anything, we’re happy to help.