Compare SEN / Special Education International Schools in Brunei

ISB's Bandar Campus is situated in the Sungai Akar area of Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei's capital. The campus is accessible via major roads and is approximately 10 minutes from Brunei International Airport. Public bus routes 37 and 38 serve the area, though services are limited. The campus is located in a residential neighborhood, providing a serene environment for students.

ISB Bandar Campus offers education from Early Years (ages 2–5) through Primary (Years 1–6), Secondary (Years 7–11), and Pre-University (Years 12–13). The curriculum follows the British system, culminating in IGCSEs and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

ISB is a co-educational and boarding school. Boarding facilities are available for students from Year 7 onwards.

ISB provides support for students with additional learning needs through its Centre for Inclusive Learning (CIL) in Panaga. The CIL offers tailored programs for students with diverse needs, including cognitive, communication, social, emotional, and physical development.

ISB is an independent international school with no formal affiliation to any specific country.

ISB is a secular institution with no religious affiliation.

In Early Years, the school day begins at 7:25 AM and ends at 11:30 AM.

In Primary, the school day begins at 7:25 AM and ends at 1:45 PM.

In Secondary, the school day begins at 7:15 AM and ends at 2:15 PM.

The ISB website does not provide explicit information about a school bus service for day students. However, transportation is provided for boarding students, with routes operating between Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB), Kuala Belait (KB), and Seria. This service is available at an annual cost of BND 1,550 to BND 1,600.

ISB Residence provides on-site boarding with dedicated staff. Boarding occurs in gender-separated wings, Bamboo and Orchid. The Boardership program develops leadership, well-being and essential life skills, complemented by supervised study time and access to co-curricular and weekend activities.

ISB Residence offers nutritious, balanced meals with Asian, Western and international options. All meals are halal, with vegetarian choices available daily. Allergies and medical dietary needs are carefully managed in collaboration with families and nursing staff.

Boarding uses gender-separated wings named Bamboo and Orchid.

ISB is governed by the ISB Board of Directors. The Board oversees the company International School (B) Berhad and is accountable for governance through collaboration with the Executive Principal and Head of Administration. Members of the Board are elected at the Annual General Meeting by ISB company members, and membership is open to all parents and staff. There are five Board committees: Board Advisory Committee, HR Committee, Finance Committee, Building Committee, and Strategic Committee.

International School Brunei (ISB) offers a structured international curriculum from early years to pre-university. In the Primary School (ages 2–11), students follow the UK National Curriculum adapted to a local context, with an emphasis on inquiry-based learning. In Secondary (Years 7–9), the curriculum remains broad and balanced, continuing UK subject frameworks. Students in Years 10–11 study for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) across a range of subjects. In Years 12–13, students follow the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), a two-year pre-university qualification recognised by universities worldwide. The curriculum is supported by specialist teaching in areas such as languages, arts, sports, and sciences throughout.

ISB integrates social and emotional learning throughout its curriculum, particularly through the in-house Global Life Skills programme in Secondary School, which emphasizes personal, social, and emotional development. The Pastoral Team, comprising tutors, Heads of Year, and counsellors, provides personalized support to address students' individual needs.

ISB is not a specialist SEN institution.

ISB offers an EAL programme to assist students for whom English is an additional language.

ISB prioritizes the mental wellbeing of its students by embedding wellbeing practices within its curriculum and providing access to a highly qualified Pastoral Team.

ISB is committed to safeguarding its students by implementing policies and practices that provide a safe learning environment. The school has Designated Safeguarding Leads and ensures safe recruitment practices through safeguarding checks for all employees and associates. The Child Protection Policy outlines the school's responsibility to protect and ensure the welfare of children and young people in its care.

1. Submit the application form and required documentation.
Parents complete the online application form and pay a non-refundable application fee of BND 200. Supporting documents include: recent school reports, a copy of the student’s birth certificate, medical form, parent questionnaire, two passport-size photographs, and copies of parents’ passports and Brunei identity cards (if applicable).

2. Diagnostic testing and interview (if applicable).
Some students may be asked to sit diagnostic assessments or attend an interview to help determine appropriate placement and support needs. These may be conducted on-site or remotely for overseas applicants.

3. Placement decision.
The Admissions team will review all documentation and assessment outcomes. If the year group has available space and the student is eligible, ISB aims to issue a decision within five working days.

4. Confirmation of enrolment.
Once a place is offered, families must formally accept the offer and complete the enrolment process. Parents receive orientation and onboarding details to support their child’s transition.

ISB offers scholarships for Brunei-based students who have completed their GCE O-Level or GCSE examinations and wish to enter the IB Diploma Programme. Applicants must meet academic and holistic criteria and pass a selective application process.

ISB operates on a rolling admissions basis and does not publicly specify a formal waitlist or pool system.

The Bright Jigsaw School is located at No. 675 Kampong Salambigar, Jalan Muara, BC1515, Brunei. It serves local and expatriate children from Kindergarten 1 to Year 6. The academic year runs January to November.

The school is structured into Kindergarten 1-3 (early childhood) and Year 1-6 (primary).

Private English-medium school. The site does not specify co-educational status or boarding facilities.

SENA Programme provides Special Needs Education Assistance with limited slots, including inclusive/pull-out options; a CDC report may be required and classroom support is available (3–4 SENA students per class).

Brunei

Religious education is part of the core curriculum, including Ugama and Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB).

Kindergarten hours are 7:45 AM–11:45 AM. Primary hours are 7:45 AM–12:00 PM, with Year 2–5 having an extended day until 3:00 PM. Ramadhan timetable exists with adjusted hours and notes for fasting students.

No school bus service details are published by the school.

Uniforms are required for all students. Uniforms can be purchased through Hatina Fashion & Beauty in Kampong Salambigar. Black shoes are required. Tudong is allowed for Year 1-6. No flip-flops or sandals are permitted.

Bright Jigsaw School uses a house system for events. The annual events include Sports Day with a House Cup.

Bright Jigsaw School is a private English-medium institution. It is governed by a Board of Directors, including a Chairman, and has an executive leadership team.

Bright Jigsaw School is an English-medium Brunei primary school teaching Kindergarten 1 to Year 6 and follows the SPN21 national curriculum with UK-based reading programmes. Kindergarten 1–3 emphasizes motor, social, emotional and language development through activity-based learning. From Year 1 to Year 6 the curriculum covers core subjects English Language, Malay/Jawi, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies, alongside ICT, PE, Art, Music, Reading, and Brunei's MIB (Melayu Islam Beraja) and Ugama (religious education). SENA provides an inclusive support programme for a small number of students across KG1 to Year 6. Assessments include Year 1–5 term tests, mid-term tests and projects, with Year 6 adding mock examinations and the PSR national exam. The academic year runs January to November and class sizes are 20–25 students.

Bright Jigsaw School supports social and emotional development by focusing on motor, social, emotional, and language skills in Kindergarten 1–3, and offers a SENA-supported integration program for KG1 to Year 6 to bridge learning gaps and foster inclusion.

The school operates a SENA Programme for Special Educational Needs, including a SENA Student (Support & Integration) approach with a classroom cap of 3–4 SENA students per classroom.

The school is an English Medium private institution; explicit EAL provisions are not publicly disclosed.

Mental wellbeing is supported through the focus on social and emotional development and inclusive practices (SENA integration), though no separate mental health program is named.

The school does not publicly disclose information regarding safeguarding and child protection policies.

1. Determine eligibility and gather initial information. Bright Jigsaw School serves Kindergarten 1 to Year 6, with Kindergarten 1–3 for ages 3–5 and Year 1–6 for ages 6 and up; the academic year runs January to November. For initial inquiries, families can contact the school by phone at (673) 234-1035 or email at [email protected] to request admissions details. This first step helps families confirm that the child's age and level align with the school's offerings.

2. Submit registration to secure a slot and understand availability. There is no published, formal waitlist or pool system by the school. Admission is described as contingent on securing a slot. To secure a slot, the full registration form must be submitted along with the non-refundable registration fee. If slots are not available, no specific waitlist process is described. families should contact the admissions team for the latest status.

3. Complete the registration and review fee/financial options. No scholarship program is published by the school. The pricing page lists a one-time registration fee of $50 and monthly fees for Kindergarten 1–3 ($150/month) and Year 1–6 ($223/month), along with uniform and shadow teacher details, but it does not describe any scholarship or financial aid offering. If the family requires financial assistance beyond standard fees, the school indicates a separate Shadow Teacher/SENA framework rather than a scholarship program.