KIS Student Support
Student Support
at KIS
We believe all pupils are entitled to a balanced curriculum, providing a wide range of learning experiences that enable each pupil to reach their full potential in all areas of their development. As one in five children is likely to have some form of learning needs during their school life, additional input may be needed. The needs of most of these students will be met by differentiation of teaching within the classroom, but some children will be identified as requiring specific help through the Student Support programme. This could be in the form of additional support within the classroom, withdrawal for extra help, or referral to outside agencies. We work in partnership with students, teachers, parents, our counsellor and outside agencies to assess students and meet their needs. Our Learning Support procedure has been developed to identify, assess and support student learning.
Learning Support
The needs of most students will be met by differentiation of teaching within the classroom, but some children will be identified as requiring specific help through the Learning Support (LS) programme. This could be in the form of additional support within the classroom, withdrawal for extra help, or referral to outside agencies.
We work in partnership with students, teachers, parents, our counsellor and outside agencies to assess students and meet their needs. Our Learning Support procedure has been developed to identify, assess and support student learning. In the Secondary School if students are to receive accommodations (extra time, use of a reader, access to a keyboard for typing, etc.) there must be a formal Educational Psych report indicating that accommodations are supported with a specific diagnosis (Please do not request an assessment externally without first discussing it with our Counselling Department to ensure that the report and the assessor meet the requirements of the IB and SAT). KIS attempts to use the same standards for awarding accommodations as those that are required for the SAT and IB exams.
Families may be required to take on some additional expenses for external testing and / or additional specialized services related to speech therapy, dyslexia, etc. KIS can accommodate a wide range of students, however in some specific cases the challenges posed by specific learning needs may make KIS an unsuitable learning environment due to the pace and rigor of the IB’s Diploma Programme which is our only curricular offering in Grade 11 and 12.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
EAL in the Primary School
Students from EY3 to Grade 5, who enrol with limited English skills, enter our English as an additional language (EAL) programme, where they receive the necessary support to be successful at school. Students receive EAL support during the regular school day and are supported either in the classroom in the context of their learning, by separated individual or small group support or by a combination of both depending on their needs. Students enter the programme with different abilities and learn at their own individual pace. Students are assessed both prior to and upon admission to ensure the appropriate level of support is given.
After the student’s initial two weeks at school, we will schedule a meeting with parents to provide feedback on the results and explain where your child is placed on the EAL learning continuum. Our EAL programme provides support in all aspects of language development across the curriculum as the development of communication skills for both social and academic purposes is seen as a crucial tool for learning. Listening for understanding, speaking, reading and decoding, writing, presenting and self expression are all seen as important ways of connecting with each subject area and as a means to access learning. Language learning, like all learning, is not necessarily linear – once students have been integrated into the mainstream they will continue to be observed and in some cases, may require additional support in the future. The aim of our EAL programme is to assist and support students in attaining a high level of English proficiency to enable them to satisfy academic requirements and participate to the fullest extent possible in school life.
EAL in the Secondary School
Students from Grade 6 to Grade 9, who enrol with emerging English skills, enter our English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme, where they receive the necessary support to be successful at school. Students enter the programme with different abilities and learn at their own individual pace. Students are assessed both prior to and on admission to ensure the appropriate level of support is given. Students receive EAL support during the regular school day and are supported either in the classroom in the context of their learning, or through a pull-out system where they report to a separate EAL classroom for Science, Individuals and Societies, and/or English. As students become more proficient, they will first join Science, then Individuals and Societies, and finally English. KIS does not offer EAL beyond Grade 9, with most students being fully integrated by the end of the first semester in Grade 9. This is due to the level of English proficiency that will be required by the Diploma Programme in the 11th and 12th grades.
Our EAL programme provides support in all aspects of language development across the curriculum as the development of communication skills for both social and academic purposes is seen as a crucial tool for learning. Listening for understanding, speaking, reading and decoding, writing, presenting and self expression are all seen as important ways of connecting with each subject area and as a means to access learning. Language learning, like all learning, is not necessarily linear – once students have been integrated into the mainstream they will continue to be observed and in some cases, may require additional support in the future. The aim of our EAL programme is to assist and support students in attaining a high level of English proficiency to enable them to satisfy academic requirements and participate to the fullest extent possible in school life.
Counselling
Parents, teachers or other school officials who believe a student is in need of counselling should raise the issue with the student’s advisor, a principal, or directly with the school counsellor. An assessment by the counsellor will be recommended when appropriate. Students may receive limited counselling during school hours and will be excused from class for this purpose if necessary. Should longer-term counselling or more in-depth assessment be deemed appropriate, the counsellor will refer you to an outside professional. The quality of mental health care services varies greatly in Bangkok. KIS has established relationships with a range of service providers, and we encourage you to allow us to help make recommendations in finding a mental health care provider to ensure your child receives high quality care, should you feel additional support is required.
Students may request an appointment with the counsellor themselves, without your permission. To arrange an appointment, students may talk to a trusted teacher or administrator or contact the counsellor directly. Strict standards of confidentiality are followed in all cases, in accordance with standards of professional counselling associations and guidelines, except when the student is in imminent danger of being harmed, harming themselves, or causing harm to others. In such situations, the counsellor will make sure the student understands how and why confidentiality will be breached, and with whom. In the event of an emergency, meetings and telephone consultations with the school counsellor can be arranged on short notice. If a student is receiving outside counselling, the School requests that a Release of Information (RoI) form be completed between the school counsellor and external professional(s). This form allows our counsellor and the outside professional(s) to have restricted conversations to share information that relates to matters of safety and/or school performance. This release of information does not allow for the discussion of any other personal matters, without your explicit consent.
University Counselling
Our vision is to inspire individuals so that we can help make the world a better place: helping students to be successful in KIS and prepared for university and beyond. In order to nurture passion in our students, we understand that both students and parents need support when confronting the daunting task of university applications and selection.
The university counselor team hosts regular events, teaches classes for students, coordinates university representative visits, sources helpful software, acts as a sounding board, and so many other activities throughout the year to help students and parents:
College and Coffee is a monthly meeting for parents usually opening with information with a specific university-related topic such as PSATs, SATs, scholarships, or application requirements, etc. followed by a general question and answer session.
Career Talk is a chance for students and parents alike to learn from professionals from a variety of fields. Participants gain valuable insight into what it is actually like to work in various industries.
Bridge U is software available to our students from Grade 10 upwards that is used to help narrow down searches to find best-fit universities. Students can by country, programs/fields of study, costs, and scholarships available.
Regular University Visits and University Fairs are hosted at KIS throughout the academic school year. Representatives speak with our students and answer questions about admissions, programs on offer, and campus life.
Bi-weekly Lessons with Grades 11 and 12 Weekly Lessons with Grade 10 are run by the university counselors to cover topics such as university research, finding the right fit university, academic planning, standardized testing, discovering personal interests, importance of extracurricular activities, building a resume, university application processes around the world, career exploration, conducting university visits, summer programs, decision-making, goal-setting, and strengthening leadership skills.
Fostering Relationships with various universities around the world in order to stay up to date with current admissions requirements and trends, make important professional connections, and have firsthand experience to pass on to students interested in various countries and institutions.
Provide an open-door policy for students to speak with a university counselor when they need to bounce off ideas, look for help, or ask for advice.
