Special educational needs (SEN) support in international schools
How British international schools support children with learning differences: what to ask, what it costs, and how to find a school that is a genuine fit.
Support for children with special educational needs (SEN), also called learning differences, varies more between international schools than almost anything else. Some have large learning support teams. Others offer little beyond what a class teacher can provide. Finding a genuine fit takes careful questions.
How UK-style SEN support works
Many British international schools model their approach on the UK’s SEND Code of Practice:
- A SENCO (special educational needs coordinator) leads provision.
- Support is graduated: quality teaching first, then targeted interventions, then individual plans.
- Each child with significant needs has an individual plan with targets, reviewed with parents.
In the UK, children with complex needs may have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). An EHCP has no legal force abroad, but international schools will use it as a starting point.
Common types of support
| Need | Typical provision |
|---|---|
| Dyslexia and specific learning difficulties | Specialist literacy interventions, assistive technology, exam access arrangements |
| ADHD | Classroom strategies, structured routines, sometimes a learning assistant |
| Autism spectrum | Social communication support, quiet spaces, predictable routines |
| Speech and language | In-house or visiting speech and language therapy |
| Social, emotional and mental health | Counsellors, pastoral teams, external referrals |
Exam access arrangements
For IGCSEs and A-Levels, exam boards allow access arrangements such as extra time, a reader or a word processor, based on evidence of need. The rules are set by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) for UK-regulated exams, and by the boards for international qualifications. Schools need to collect evidence well in advance, so ask how they handle this.
Costs
Learning support is often charged on top of tuition, by the session, by the term or as a fixed band. One-to-one learning assistants can cost a significant amount. Ask for the full fee schedule in writing.
Questions to ask
- How many pupils have identified needs, and how many have significant needs?
- What qualifications and experience does the learning support team have?
- Which therapies are available on site, and which require outside specialists?
- How are plans written and reviewed with parents?
- Has the school supported a child with a similar profile before? What worked?
- What happens if the school can no longer meet the child’s needs?
Assessments and reports
Bring recent professional reports, such as educational psychology, speech and language therapy or medical reports. Some schools require reports in English. In some countries, getting an assessment can take months, so plan ahead.
See also: how to choose a British international school and the admissions process.
Frequently asked questions
Do international schools have to accept children with SEN?
Usually not in the same way as UK state schools, which have legal duties under UK law. International schools are private institutions under host-country law and can decide whether they are able to meet a child's needs. This makes honest, early conversations essential.
Should I tell the school about my child's diagnosis?
Yes. A school can only plan support it knows about. Withholding information risks a placement that does not work, and some contracts allow schools to withdraw a place if significant needs were not disclosed.