Dresden International School

Counselling is overseen by the school's primary and secondary counsellors and offers a comprehensive range of wellbeing services for all students, delivered through both direct and indirect supports. The services include individual and group counseling and support the development of a school-wide wellbeing curriculum. The programme assists with the transition of newly enrolled students and with transitions between school programmes, and it provides support to parents through information sessions and communications. Referrals to outside services are made when needed. The approach integrates with broader student support services to promote academic success and social-emotional growth.

The school strives to be an inclusive educational environment and works with families of students with learning differences to meet their needs. A dedicated team of Learning Support Specialists provides evidence-based models of support, including targeted small group instruction, Response to Intervention, differentiated instruction, and student-centered accommodations. DIS can offer mild to moderate needs in-class support and accommodations, small group targeted instruction, and pull-out intervention. The Student Support Services address a range of learning profiles to ensure access to the curriculum.

The English Language Support (EAL) programme exists to assist students arriving with limited or no English experience during language acquisition. Pre- or post-teaching of material relevant to subjects helps language learning be meaningful, and social as well as academic language skills are taught to enable full participation in school life. All new students with suitable linguistic backgrounds are offered an English programme appropriate to their age and needs.

Two school counsellors, one in the Primary School and one in the Secondary School, are dedicated to wellbeing and emotional health and provide services to support students, teachers, and parents. Counseling is available as one-to-one and small group sessions and supports school-wide wellbeing initiatives. In Secondary School, the counsellor also supports Extended Advisory lessons and collaborates with families through information and targeted support.

DIS has a Child Protection Handbook and a policy framework that defines child protection aims, safeguarding staff conduct, and procedures for identifying and reporting concerns. The policy includes a non-discrimination and inclusion stance, a Child-on-Child Abuse Policy, and Safer Recruitment practices. A designated Safeguarding Lead team responds to safety concerns, and the FaceUp reporting platform is available for students. Contact details for safeguarding leads and the option to report concerns are provided on the page.