Netherlands, Amsterdam
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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 (ISH) is a day IB World School for students aged 4 to 18. In Primary, the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) is taught; in Secondary, students follow the MYP, CP, and DP. ISH opened in 2017 with a primary department and added secondary in 2018. The school operates across three Haarlem campuses: Buitenrustlaan 9 (Lower Primary), Schreveliusstraat 27 (Upper Primary) and Junoplantsoen 58 (Secondary). English is the working language, with English Language Acquisition and support available as needed; DP language courses and language development initiatives are described in policy materials. The Libraries offer fiction and non-fiction, magazines, online resources and IT equipment, with spaces for research and collaboration. Primary literacy is supported by the Oxford Reading Tree. Secondary students are expected to bring a laptop, and essential information is published in ManageBac and the ISH School Guide. Extracurriculars include MUN, Olympic Moves, language-focused activities, debate and newspaper clubs today.