Ecole Montessori Casablanca

PSHE and Citizenship enable children to become healthy, independent and responsible members of society. They are encouraged to contribute to the life of the school and the wider community, developing a sense of self-worth. They learn about healthy lifestyles and safety, understand what makes for good relationships, and gain respect for themselves and others. They become independent and responsible members of the school community and active participants in a democratic society. PSHE and citizenship are linked to cross-curricular learning and include components such as drugs education, dealing with bullying, health and safety, equal opportunities, and spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

École Montessori Casablanca's SEND policy states that Montessori environments cater to the needs of all children and are respectful and supportive of each child's learning abilities. When a student has SEND, a learning support program is offered, including adapted reading approaches such as an Orton-Gillingham approach. If a student receives a diagnosis, teachers and the school work with psychologists, tutors, etc. to ensure a unified system of support for the child. The school uses an Assess, Plan, Do and Review SEND support cycle with progress monitoring and ongoing involvement of parents. If progress remains inadequate, external agencies may be involved to tailor support, while the school aims to remove barriers to learning and ensure inclusion.

The Curriculum Support Policy provides ESL as a dedicated support curriculum for students not fluent in English for 1 to 3 academic years. Small ESL groups are used when numbers permit; one-on-one ESL is only envisioned for a quarter, with differentiated instruction within peer groups when possible. Families are encouraged to arrange additional English classes after school, with the aim of boosting English proficiency within about one year. For neuro-atypical students or those with a diagnosed condition, extra classes may be provided within the Montessori framework, with a SEN plan agreed by SEN/DSL and teaching staff.

PSHE and Citizenship promotes personal, social and health development to help students become healthy, independent and responsible; the program supports self-confidence and self-esteem and enables informed personal and social choices. It teaches healthy lifestyles and safety, helps students form good relationships, and fosters respect for self and others. Students are encouraged to participate in democratic processes and community life, developing resilience, emotional development, and a sense of belonging within the school. The approach integrates cross-curricular elements and cross-cultural awareness as part of holistic wellbeing.

Safeguarding is the action taken to promote pupils' welfare and protect them from harm. The school commits to acting in the best interests of pupils and staff, providing a safe, welcoming environment and remaining vigilant to signs of abuse or neglect. EMC implements safeguarding measures including defined roles, safe recruitment, staff training, and formal procedures for reporting concerns, with a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Deputy DSLs and emergency contacts. The DSL and deputies receive safeguarding training and updates every two years, and all staff receive safeguarding training at least every three years; pupils are informed about who to talk to and how to report concerns. The school supervises pupils, controls access for visitors, and encourages listening and reporting through channels such as whistleblowing; the Safeguarding Policy is reviewed annually and aligned with broader child-protection standards.