Compare SEN / Special Education International Schools in Amsterdam, Netherlands

The school operates across two Hoofddorp campuses in The Netherlands: Waddenweg 87, 2134 XL Hoofddorp (Group 5 and up) and Dussenstraat 34, 2134 DL Hoofddorp (Early Years to Group 4). Hoofddorp is in the North Holland Province, about 15 minutes from Schiphol Airport and Haarlem and 20 minutes from Amsterdam. The campuses are accessible by bike, public transport, and car.

Early Years to Group 4 (Dussenstraat Campus); Group 5 and up (Waddenweg Campus).

Optimist International School is a co-educational day school. It serves local and expatriate families exclusively during regular school hours and does not offer any boarding facilities.

English as an Additional Language (EAL) and Dutch as an additional language (DAL) are provided.

Netherlands.

Public transport access: Floriande Noord bus stop is a 5-minute walk from Waddenweg Campus and served by bus lines 341 and 340; Floriande Sportdorp bus stop is a 1-minute walk from Dussenstraat Campus and served by bus line 341. Free parking is available.

No uniform is required.

Food and drink are brought from home. Most students bring a small lunch box with a range of different foods. Healthy eating is encouraged and sweets, gum, party bags, chocolate spread and carbonated drinks are not sent into school. There is a morning break around 10:00am and a lunch break around 12:00pm. After-school care providers arrange a food/drink break when after-school care begins.

The school is governed by the Stichting Openbaar Primair Basisonderwijs Haarlemmermeer (Floreer).

Optimist International School structures its curriculum around two main learning pathways. Students in Group 1 through Group 7 can follow the International Programme, which uses the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) for early education and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) for the primary stages. To support core skill development within this track, the school applies the British National Curriculum framework specifically for mathematics and English instruction. For upper primary students in Groups 6 through 8, the school offers the Dutch Enrichment Programme (DEP) to prepare them for transition into the Dutch national secondary education system. This specific pathway combines standard IPC thematic units with intensive academic Dutch language studies. Additionally, the school provides Dutch as an Additional Language (DAL) classes to all international students to assist with daily communication and integration in the Netherlands.

The school has a school-wide Personal, Social, Health and Well-being Education (PSHE) program and actively integrates social-emotional learning into its curriculum.

The school provides educational support for pupils with additional needs, including motor remedial teaching and social-emotional skills training, with a School Counselor available.

The school is Language Friendly; students can use all home languages, and English is the main language of instruction.

Mental wellbeing is supported through PSHE and mindfulness practices as part of the school's approach to wellbeing.

Safeguarding is prioritised with safer recruitment practices and pre-employment background checks; safety policies are in place.

1. Making Contact
The admissions journey officially begins when parents submit an enquiry through the school's online Open Apply portal. This portal is the only accepted method for submitting an application, as the school does not process applications or registrations via phone call or email. After registering their initial interest online, parents can use the portal to arrange an in-person campus tour or schedule a call with the admissions team. Parents should note that applications can be initiated from the moment their child turns three years old.

2. Introductory Meeting
The school invites prospective families to an introductory meeting to discuss the student's educational needs and the family's relocation plans. For families currently living overseas who are unable to visit the campus, the admissions team will arrange a video call via Google Meet instead. During this conversation, the school evaluates the child's academic suitability and alignment with the school's pedagogical approach. The school also requests that children join at least a portion of this meeting to facilitate a better understanding of their readiness.

3. Admissions Application
If both the family and the school determine that Optimist International School is an appropriate fit, parents are asked to complete the formal application. At this stage, parents must upload all necessary educational documentation to the Open Apply portal, including previous school reports and any existing educational or psychological assessments. Parents must explicitly disclose any prior academic or specialist support the child has received, as failing to report existing learning challenges can impact the enrolment status. Finally, parents must pay a non-refundable registration fee to proceed with the application.

4. Confirmation and Placement
Once all documents are uploaded and the registration fee is paid, the admissions manager will send an email detailing the student's acceptance, anticipated year group, and start date. To officially secure the place, parents must reply with a confirmation email and pay a refundable deposit fee within 14 days of receiving the offer. After the child starts school, they will undergo an initial assessment period during their first few weeks. This allows the teaching staff and school counsellor to evaluate the student's progress and recommend any adjustments to their final group placement if necessary.

Jan Luijkenstraat 29, 1071 CK Amsterdam, Netherlands; located in the Museumplein area, in the heart of Amsterdam.

Ages 4 to 12 in the bilingual stream; Dutch curriculum stream available for ages 9 to 12.

Private Dutch B3 school offering bilingual education (50/50 Dutch/English).

Lunch and snacks are provided daily and included in the school fee. A warm vegetarian lunch is prepared by an in-house cook.

The school is a private B3 Dutch school offering the Dutch national curriculum in a bilingual environment. The programme is recognised by the Dutch schools inspectorate. It is part of the Winford group.

Winford Bilingual Amsterdam delivers a bilingual curriculum for children aged 4 to 12, with a Dutch curriculum stream for ages 9 to 12. The curriculum is built from the Dutch National Curriculum, the UK National Curriculum, and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). All core subjects are taught in Dutch and English throughout the school day. The program relies on two native-speaking teachers per classroom and small class sizes of around 20 students. IPC themes are integrated across subjects to connect learning in both languages, and pupils can transition to Dutch secondary education or International/English secondary education depending on pathway chosen.

Two teachers per classroom. An average of about 20 students per class.

Assessment includes Dutch CITO tests for groups 2-8 (ages 5-11) and formal English testing twice a year. 90% of children who have been in the bilingual program since age 4 score above level when compared with similarly aged children in Dutch-only programs, while 75% of children who joined later test at level.

Being bilingual supports social and emotional development. Bilingual learners show improved ability to read social cues, overcome social shyness, and display strong active listening skills. This helps with making friends, understanding diversity, and integrating into new environments. The school emphasizes cultural understanding and inclusion as part of daily learning.

All core subjects are taught equally in Dutch and English throughout the school day. Each classroom has two fully qualified teachers who speak English and Dutch, and each teacher uses their native language with students while teaching in both languages. The curriculum combines the Dutch national curriculum and the UK national curriculum, closely linked with the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). The IPC is taught in both English and Dutch.

Positive discipline emphasizes kindness and consistency, supporting student wellbeing. The school describes a child-focused approach with small class sizes to enable individualized attention and a nurturing environment. The bilingual, dual-language setting helps students develop confidence and adaptability across languages and cultures. The learning environment promotes inclusion and respectful interactions as part of daily practice.

Submit the completed form (Word or PDF) along with school reports and CITO results. For children over five, the school will schedule a trial session via the school director. A non-refundable registration fee of €550 must be paid before Winford Bilingual begins processing the application.

Step 2: Provisional Confirmation
The school will email a Provisional Offer once the application is processed. Parents have 10 business days to accept or decline; after this period, the offer is automatically withdrawn, and the process must be restarted.

Step 3: Acceptance
Following acceptance, a non-refundable enrolment fee of €1000 per child is due within 3 weeks. Once paid, the school secures the student's placement and issues a formal confirmation of Enrolment. This fee is separate from tuition and is non-refundable regardless of start date or withdrawal.

Havenstraat 6, 1075 PR Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The school is located in Amsterdam city centre and is accessible by bus and tram with good public transport links. There is no on-site parking; a Kiss & Ride zone exists for quick drop-offs, and bike racks are available on site.

Early Years (ages 3-6); Junior School (ages 6-11); Senior School (ages 11-18)

British international day school

The Learning Support department provides support for children with specific educational needs; during admissions each applicant is assessed to determine suitability and support needs; if the school cannot accommodate a child's needs, alternatives are provided.

Affiliated with the United Kingdom; AoBSO and COBIS members; National Curriculum for England followed.

Nursery: 8:45–12:00 and 12:00–15:10 or 8:45–15:10; Reception: 8:45–15:10; Year 1: 8:45–15:15; Years 2–3: 8:45–15:25; Years 4–6: 8:45–15:30; Senior School: 8:40–15:40.

No school bus service is offered; travel to school is primarily by foot or bike; public transport links are strong.

Uniform is compulsory for all pupils. Branded uniform items can be purchased from the online shop, with the collection point at the main reception. In Years 12 and 13 (Sixth Form) students follow a smart dress code instead of wearing a uniform; non-branded items such as white shirts and grey or navy trousers/skirts can be sourced from Marks & Spencer.

Food is provided by Appel Catering, with half-termly subscriptions for packed lunches or hot meals and daily orders for both. Early Years have packed lunches only; Junior and Senior Schools offer both packed lunches and hot meals, with Senior students able to buy lunch on-site. The school aims to be nut-free, though traces may occur and allergies should be communicated.

All students from Year 1 belong to one of four houses: Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht. Houses participate in team games, sports day, and other competitions; in the Senior School, ties denote the house and inter-house competitions lead to the House Cup.

The school is non-profit and does not receive funding from the UK or Dutch governments. It is a Stichting (Foundation) incorporated under Dutch law and has a Supervisory Board and a Management Board.

The British School of Amsterdam offers the full National Curriculum used in England from age 3 to 18, culminating in GCSEs and A Levels. Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9) includes English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Computing, Physical Education, Music, Art, Drama and PSHE, with pupils choosing two languages from French, Spanish, German or Dutch; English as an Additional Language (EAL) is available, and native Dutch is provided for Dutch speakers. Key Stage 4 (Years 10–11) follows a core GCSE framework of English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, with four further subjects chosen by pupils; KS3 subjects are offered alongside Business Studies and Media Studies. Sixth Form (Years 12–13) offers A Level courses with a compulsory PSHE core and electives; pupils select up to four A Level subjects and may continue to Year 13 (A2). The curriculum is enhanced by extra-curricular activities in sport, music and drama, and the PSHE programme supports life skills and responsible citizenship.

A Level results 2025: 100% pass rate; 41% of students achieved A or A; 76% achieved A/A/B; 90% achieved A-C; 157 examinations were taken. GCSE results 2025: 100% pass rate; 56% of grades were 9-7 (A/A); 77% were 9-6 (A/A/B); 95% were 9-4 (A-C); 508 examinations were taken. Published: A Level results 14 August 2025; GCSE results 21 August 2025.

University destinations: The British School of Amsterdam prepares students for further study and work opportunities around the globe.

Wellbeing is a fundamental aspect of the school, rooted in pastoral care that prioritises the physical and emotional welfare of every student. Personal, Social, Health, and Economic (PSHE) education equips students with essential knowledge and skills to make confident decisions amidst external pressures. Initiatives like Wellbeing Week and dedicated weekly PSHE lessons reinforce emotional wellbeing, and assemblies reflect the core values of nurture, inspire, and empower. A safeguarding team supports staff and parents in addressing students' safety, while a school nurse and a team of trained counsellors provide on-site health and emotional support. Parent workshops strengthen home–school partnership to support student wellbeing.

We are non-selective and inclusive, providing support to pupils with mild to moderate educational needs. We strive to ensure access to all aspects of school life and follow a Graduated Approach to SEND, aligned with the SEND Code of Practice. Needs are grouped into four broad areas: communication and interaction; cognition and learning; social, emotional and mental health; and sensory/physical needs. A named Learning Support Coordinator (SENDCo) in Early Years and Junior School and a Head of Learning Support in the Senior School lead provision; they work with teachers and families to plan and review targeted support and liaise with external agencies when needed. Teaching is planned to be differentiated to meet needs, with monitoring and coordination at school leadership level.

English as an Additional Language (EAL) is recognised as a strength, and EAL pupils have equal access to the full curriculum. EAL provision is fully integrated into inclusion, safeguarding, and equality commitments. The school identifies EAL needs on entry, with data on home language(s) and baseline assessments, and maintains a central EAL register. EAL progress is monitored termly using appropriate descriptors and staged grids. EAL is delivered through Quality First Teaching, with dedicated EAL groups; EY/Junior students have EAL twice weekly alongside Dutch, while Seniors have EAL as a language option with four lessons every two weeks. The policy distinguishes EAL from SEND and involves parents in supporting learning.

The mental health and wellbeing of pupils is a priority, guided by UK and international frameworks to ensure best practice in international schools. The Senior Mental Health Lead oversees and implements the school's mental health strategy, supported by a team of on-site mental health professionals and a Counselling Team for confidential brief intervention and signposting to external services. Mental health is addressed across the curriculum through PSHE, assemblies, and dedicated events, with awareness activities and resources signposted to pupils and parents. The school provides quiet spaces for emotional regulation and access to ongoing pastoral support from Heads of Year and pastoral staff. Progress is tracked using validated tools, and staff receive training to identify and respond to concerns.

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. The school provides a safe and secure environment and a safeguarding team supports staff and parents. The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Deputy DSLs coordinate safeguarding across all sections; staff receive safeguarding training and adhere to safer recruitment policies. The school bases safeguarding on Keeping Children Safe in Education (DfE) and the Dutch Meldcode, with clear step procedures for responding to concerns and collaboration with safeguarding partners. The policy sets out roles for all staff, from the Principal to teaching and support staff, and requires timely recording and reporting of concerns.

1. Determine the Year Group
Check the school's comparison chart to find your child's correct year group based on their age as of August 31st. Parents should note that the school does not typically accept applications for Year 11 or Year 13, as these are the final years of two-year examination courses.

2. Submit the Application and Documents
Complete a separate online application for each child, uploading required documents like a translated birth certificate, parental IDs, proof of address, and signed school reports in English. You must also disclose any special educational needs and provide relevant professional evaluations, translated and notarised if applicable.

3. Pay the Registration Fee
A €250 registration fee per child must be paid within five working days of submitting the application, otherwise the application will be automatically cancelled. If you are applying for a child who is returning to the school, this registration fee is waived entirely.

4. Await the School Reference
Once the application and fee are processed, the admissions team will contact your child's current school directly for a confidential academic reference and safeguarding records. You will be notified when this request is sent, but please be aware it can take up to ten working days for the current school to process and respond.

Allocation of places occurs after an offer is made. Parents have three working days to email a scanned copy of the signed acceptance letter; if the signed acceptance is not received within three working days, the child will be placed on a waiting list and the place offered to another family.

Three campuses in Haarlem: Lower Primary at Buitenrustlaan 9; Upper Primary at Schreveliusstraat 27; MYP 1-5 and DP 1 at Junoplantsoen 58. All campuses are located in Haarlem, The Netherlands.

Lower Primary (Groups 1-3, ages 4-6); Upper Primary (Groups 4-7, ages 6-11); MYP 1-5 and DP 1 (ages 11-18).

Day IB World School offering the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) in Primary and the Middle Years Programme (MYP), Career-related Programme (CP), and Diploma Programme (DP) in Secondary.

Over 50 nationalities represented; over 35 languages spoken; English is the working language.

Inclusive, personalised approach with support for diverse learning needs, including those with learning difficulties, disabilities or medical needs. A learning support structure with in-class support, 1-to-1 and small group interventions, and English as an Additional Language (EAL) support; resources and ICT to enhance curriculum accessibility.

To allow travel between sites, start and end times are staggered by campus. Lower Primary (Buitenrustlaan): doors open 08:05, lessons begin 08:15, 10:15-10:30 break, 11:45-12:45 lunch, dismissal 14:30 (12:15 on Wednesdays). Upper Primary (Schreveliusstraat): doors open 08:25, lessons begin 08:30, 10:30-10:45 break, 11:45-12:45 lunch, dismissal 14:45 (12:30 on Wednesdays). MYP 1-5 and DP 1-2: doors open 08:45, registration 08:50, 11:00-11:20 break, 13:20-13:50 lunch, dismissal 15:50 (MYP) and 17:00 (DP) with occasional clubs 16:00-17:00; Wednesdays have earlier dismissal times (MYP 13:20; DP around 14:20).

The school does not have a uniform; students do not wear a school uniform.

The school does not operate a canteen. All students have snack and lunch at school. In Primary, parents can sign up for a paid warm lunch provided by Tommy Tomato.

The school is a Dutch subsidised international school established by TWijs and IRIS, supported by the City Council in Haarlem; it is governed by the TWijs and IRIS boards and is a member of the Dutch International Schools (DIS) group.

International School Haarlem offers the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) in Primary and the Middle Years Programme (MYP), Career-Related Programme (CP), and Diploma Programme (DP) in Secondary. The school is authorized as an IB World School.

The Next Steps Programme guides students after MYP5. In DP1 and DP2, academic counsellors support university applications, including arranging Go-Abroad Fair visits in Utrecht and providing information on university Open Days, transcripts, reference letters, and predicted grades.

Inclusivity is provided through Learning Support. The school supports English as an Additional Language, and students who are working at a significantly higher level than age-related expectations, or identified as gifted, may be placed on the Learning Support Register with a tailored plan.

International School Haarlem is an inclusive school with a personalised approach to the diverse learning needs of students, including those with learning difficulties, disabilities or medical needs. A clear and responsive support structure exists where teachers, tutors and Student Support staff work together to identify and remove barriers to learning. Support provision is planned and regularly reviewed, taking into account the views of the individual student and their parents/guardians. The safeguarding team handles social‑emotional concerns for the school. The safeguarding team for social‑emotional concerns includes Janine Ric‑Hansen, Clare Peterkin, Hannah Mansbridge and Mirjam van den Berg.

International School Haarlem operates as a mainstream school with a personalised approach to learning diversity. Admission depends on the applicant's needs and the school's ability to meet them within a mainstream setting and to enable benefit from the MYP curriculum. Learning Support includes 1‑to‑1 and small group targeted interventions, resources and ICT to support curriculum accessibility, and in‑class support by skilled support assistants. Primary Inclusion focuses on enabling all children to achieve academically, emotionally and socially through high‑quality teaching, differentiation, strategies to support neurodiversity, and access to appropriate resources. English as an Additional Language is supported with small group EAL lessons taught by a specialised EAL teacher, access to texts and vocabulary prior to lessons, and resources to support curriculum accessibility.

English as an Additional Language is valued and teachers are skilled in welcoming and supporting students who are new to English. Students who are new to English or developing academic English receive support in small group EAL lessons with a specialised EAL teacher, have access to texts and vocabulary prior to lessons, and benefit from resources to support curriculum accessibility in the classroom.

Wellbeing is addressed through a focus on promoting positive self‑esteem and enjoyment of learning. A safeguarding team is available to support social‑emotional concerns. Staff responsibilities include creating a safe and respectful learning environment and supporting student wellbeing. The school provides digital safeguarding guidelines and codes of conduct for ICT use, with guidance for both students and parents. Safeguarding policies include reporting procedures for safeguarding concerns, including cases of domestic violence and child abuse.

The Wellbeing and Safeguarding Protocol establishes Codes of Conduct to safeguard against discrimination, sexual harassment and violence. A safeguarding team handles social‑emotional concerns and is responsible for safeguarding procedures. Digital safeguarding is addressed through an ICT code of conduct for students (and a signed agreement for parents), with disciplinary actions for breaches. The protocol provides reporting steps for suspected abuse and mandates reporting to authorities when required. Personal data handling follows GDPR guidance, with data access limited to what is legally required and necessary for safeguarding and education. Volunteers and staff are subject to background checks, including Certificates of Good Conduct (VOG) where applicable.

International School Haarlem offers primary and secondary education in an English-speaking environment and welcomes applications from students worldwide who need international education. Admission follows national regulations for the Dutch International School. A student is admitted if they meet at least one of these conditions: the student has a non-Dutch nationality and a parent working in the Netherlands for a limited time; the student has Dutch nationality and has attended an international school abroad for at least two years because a parent was stationed abroad; or Dutch nationality and a parent who will be stationed abroad within two years of admission for at least two years, confirmed in writing by the employer. Prospective families submit a pre-application via Open Apply; completing the pre-application is required before requesting a school visit. For 2025-2026, there are no spaces left in MYP and DP; there are some spaces in Primary. The school will respond within 10 working days if eligible for admission, and a start date and visit can be arranged. A school visit can be scheduled once the application is complete and the registration fee has been paid; visits are on Tuesday 9:00-11:00 (Primary and MYP1-5), Thursday 9:00-11:00 (Primary and MYP 1-5), and Friday 12:20-13:20 (CP/DP). School visits are available throughout the year, with a 2–3 week waiting time to book a visit. Phone bookings are not accepted. The school offers the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) in Primary and the Middle Years Programme (MYP), Career-Related Programme (CP) and Diploma Programme (DP) in secondary, and is IB World School authorized.