Supporting Every Learner, Every Step of the Way

Overview of ESS

At ILG School, Educational Support Services (ESS) are designed to foster an inclusive, supportive learning environment that responds to the academic, personal, social, and emotional needs of all students. The Educational Support Team (EST) is central to this effort and currently includes:

• The School Counsellor
  
  
• Educational Support Services teachers

Together, the ESS team works in collaboration with students, families, educators, and the wider community to ensure each learner is supported in achieving their potential.

The ESS team is committed to:

• Creating a learning environment that is inclusive and accessible for all students
  
  
• Partnering with parents, staff, and specialists to support each student’s holistic development
  
  
• Aligning with the ILG School Mission to offer a dynamic, internationally recognized education that nurtures intellectual, emotional, physical, and social growth

In an effort to provide an inclusive learning environment for all students we have outlined the procedure to identify, including the initial ESS referral, teacher data collection on the student’s abilities within the lessons, a meeting with the parent(s) to determine if additional assessments are needed, and then strategies are put into place to support the student’s overall development.

To meet the diverse needs of all learners, the IB has “identified four principles of good practice that promote equal access to the curriculum for all learners across the continuum, but that are particularly relevant to those with special needs. These principles are based on elements of good practice that are essential to the development of the whole person.

1. Affirming identity and building self-esteem
2. Valuing prior knowledge
3. Scaffolding
4. Extending learning”  

Taken from Learning diversity in the International Baccalaureate programmes: Special educational needs within the International Baccalaureate programmes, 2010