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Netherlands, Rotterdam
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Students follow an individualized curriculum with a strong emphasis on developing communication and social skills. They learn to cope in a school setting, including sustaining attention, following instructions, completing tasks, and working independently. The 5–13 year-old curriculum focuses on basic skills in communication, reading, spelling, language and maths, based on the English National Curriculum and the International Primary Curriculum (UK), cross-referenced with Dutch Primary Education outcomes. Edmark Reading Program and Numicon support literacy and numeracy; each student uses an iPad configured to access appropriate apps. Progress is tracked through Individual Educational Plans (IEPs) that are reviewed twice yearly to adjust goals.
Art and music activities occur throughout the week to reinforce language skills, creativity and motor development. A monthly theme guides activities, with art and music supporting language, creativity and motor skills, and there are special trips and dress-up days linked to the theme. Cultural activities include trips to museums and visits by musicians. Dutch cultural days such as Sinterklaas, Christmas and King's Day are celebrated at school.
The curriculum aligns with the English National Curriculum and the International Primary Curriculum (UK), cross-referenced with Dutch Primary Education outcomes to support language learning. Language development is a central focus across the program. Dutch cultural days such as Sinterklaas, Christmas and King's Day are celebrated at school.
Play is built into the daily routine to support social and emotional development, with circle time and reading together. Outside Playtime is organized with students from the HSV International Department, promoting social interaction across the wider school community. The program emphasizes socio-emotional and physical development through topic-based learning and related activities.
Well-being is supported through a focus on socio-emotional and physical development, including daily outside playtime. High-quality therapies are available at the school by internationally qualified professionals in private practice, with families able to arrange specific therapists directly. Therapies include Speech and Language therapy, Occupational and Psychological therapy, and Play therapy.
Located in the Netherlands, Lighthouse Special Education is an international primary school for children with complex special educational needs, offering education in English. The school serves ages 3 to 13 in two small classes (5–8 and 8–13), each with up to eight pupils, and a preschool class, Three Little Ships, for ages 2.5 to 5. Curriculum combines the British National Curriculum, the International Primary Curriculum (UK), and the Dutch Primary Education Curriculum, with an individualized program for every student. For 5–13 year olds, it emphasizes basic skills in communication, reading, spelling, language and maths, using Edmark Reading Program and Numicon, and supports progress through tailored IEPs reviewed twice yearly. Learners access iPads with age-appropriate apps; therapies—speech and language, physiotherapy, sensory integration, and occupational therapy—are provided on-site by English-speaking, qualified therapists. The school focuses on social and emotional development, independence, and preparing students for school life within a supportive, multilingual environment.
