China, Shanghai
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WISS states that social‑emotional learning (SEL) is embedded across the curriculum and all IB programmes. It is delivered through Advisory programmes, Life Skills, Social Skills lessons and Personal, Social & Health Education (PSHE), and through explicit Approaches to Learning skills. The Student Support Services Team provides proactive and reactive individual and group interventions that target routines, social‑skills activities, study habits, life skills and personal growth. School counsellors are listed as addressing emotional regulation, decision‑making, healthy relationships, identity and diversity (including affective/sexual education). SEL is also reinforced through after‑school activities that provide leadership, teamwork and empathy opportunities.
WISS describes a formal Student Support Services framework that provides academic and social‑emotional support through individualized support pathways designed and implemented by faculty. The school explicitly states it does not diagnose or label students and focuses on classroom‑based practices and strategies rather than on formal diagnoses. Support examples given include Lower Elementary work on language development, communication, motor and sensory development; Elementary support for writing, reading, mathematical processing, following instructions and attention; and Secondary support for organisation, study habits and time management. The admissions/application guidance asks families to provide relevant educational or medical evaluations, IEPs or other reports when applicable. WISS does not present itself as a specialist SEN institution; its published material describes in‑school learning support rather than specialist external provision.
WISS includes English as an Additional Language (EAL) support as part of its provision and notes EAL support is included in tuition‑fee inclusions. The Elementary programme states students new to English are supported five days a week through an "English for Beginners" programme, and the school describes translanguaging and honoring students' first languages. The Secondary overview highlights a range of language acquisition options and phases to support language development at older ages. The admissions pages note applicants are evaluated for English speaking, reading and writing ability and that Secondary entrants must have a level of English sufficient to access the curriculum. Overall, the school's public pages describe staged EAL support across Early Years, Primary and Secondary.
WISS publishes that it operates three on‑site nurse stations and a qualified nursing team to provide first aid, minor‑injury care and emergency response while on campus. The school also says its Student Support Services Team provides counselling services for social, emotional and academic development. The SEL guidance and news material state that school counsellors address emotional regulation, decision‑making, identity, relationships and related wellbeing topics. Parents are asked to disclose health or medical matters so medical action plans can be prepared when needed. WISS describes student wellbeing support as a mix of on‑site health care, counselling and targeted interventions delivered by the Student Support Services Team.
WISS states it "fully recognizes its moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children" and refers readers to its Safeguarding Policy for details. The Health & Safety information describes campus security measures (24‑hour licensed security, perimeter fencing, CCTV, visitor registration) and regular emergency drills. The site also documents that Student Support Services contributes to students' welfare through academic and social‑emotional support pathways. Application guidance requests medical and evaluation documents so the school can create appropriate plans for students with health or learning needs. For full details the school directs readers to its publicly posted Safeguarding Policy on the WISS site.
Western International School of Shanghai (WISS) is an IB Continuum school on an 18-acre campus in Xujing (New Hongqiao). WISS opened on 6 September 2006 and offers the full IB continuum: PYP, MYP, DP and the IBCP. The school publishes annual tuition in RMB and includes lunch, textbooks, student support and a complementary uniform allowance in its fees. The campus is described by the school as a short drive from the Hongqiao transport hub, Hongqiao Airport and the NECC, with about 30 minutes to downtown Shanghai. WISS lists four institutional pillars—Academics, Sports, Arts and Community Service—and runs an after-school activities programme that includes orchestra and choir, debate, robotics and a broad athletics programme. The school operates a paid bus service and accepts students from Pre-Nursery (age 2.5) through Grade 12 (secondary).