The International School of The Hague

Wijndaelerweg 11, 2554 BZ Den Haag, The Netherlands. The postal address is The International School of The Hague, P.O. Box 52047, 2505 CA The Hague, The Netherlands. The visiting address is Wijndaelerweg 11, 2554 BZ Den Haag, The Netherlands.

Early Years, Primary and Secondary.

Private international day school.

Over 100 nationalities represented.

Learning Support is provided in Primary and Secondary; English as an Additional Language (EAL) is offered.

The Netherlands.

The Early Years day starts at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 3:00 p.m. The day includes morning carpet time, free-flow play, snack, specialist lessons (PE, Music, Library), lunch and outdoor time, followed by a second carpet time and story time.

Door-to-door bus service is provided by Achttax; routes cover Den Haag, Voorburg, Leidschendam, Ypenburg, Scheveningen, Rijswijk, Zoetermeer and Voorschoten. In Primary, staff supervise students during the bus journey; inquiries can be made via planning@achttax.nl.

The ISH Primary Curriculum is IPC-based and centers on inquiry-based learning across age groups. The Curriculum includes Language Art, Mathematics, Units of Inquiry, Social and Emotional Learning, Physical Education, Information and Communication Technology, Music, Dutch, Art and Drama. Early Years uses a Reggio Emilia and Montessori-inspired approach with free-flow, child-centered learning and a transition into IPC; EY1 begins IPC content as students move into Primary Years. The school supports multilingual learners through English as an Additional Language (EAL) and a Home Language program, and over 80% of students are multilingual. In Secondary, ISH offers the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Years 7–11, and the IB Diploma Programme (DP) or Career-related Programme (CP) for Years 12–13; the DP and CP include subject groups and core components with a focus on preparing for higher education; in DP, students can study their home language as part of the IBDP, including SSST Language A. The Home Languages at ISH Secondary program supports home language development and allows continuation of home languages in DP.

Group sizes are capped at 23 pupils per class.

The Diploma Programme (DP) is a rigorous two-year pathway designed to prepare students for higher education. The Career-related Programme (CP) provides a university- and employment-oriented route in the final years. ISH provides Careers Guidance and information for University Representatives to support university applications, and DP/CP are offered as the primary routes for post-secondary study. The DP and CP are supported by the school's IB framework and university-preparation resources. Home languages can be continued in the IBDP via SSST Language A, extending language study into the final years.

The school prioritises physical, social and emotional wellbeing as essential to personal excellence. It nurtures wellbeing through a restorative approach to behaviour that emphasises relationships, accountability for actions and empathy. Through its programmes students learn that taking care of their own wellbeing supports learning and future success. The Student Charter protects a student's right to be treated with respect and to have wellbeing and personal safety supported. The Learning Support and Student Wellbeing teams collaborate to address social-emotional development, including restorative practices such as connection circles and social-emotional interventions. The school also supports wellbeing through Anti Bullying initiatives and the Health Office.

The school uses a graduated, multi-tiered approach to Learning Support to remove barriers to progress. A dedicated Learning Support Team provides ongoing review and develops individual learning plans. Services cover academic, social-emotional and health supports, including executive functioning, study skills and literacy and numeracy interventions. There are in-class supports, parallel teaching and specialised workshops. The department collaborates with the Student Wellbeing and EAL teams to support academics, behaviour and social-emotional development. ISH embraces inclusion and aims for universal access to the curriculum. All residents in the Netherlands have the right to appropriate education and ISH operates a three-tiered intervention model. It is noted that ISH offers support for a range of needs, including dyslexia, ASD and ADHD, and ISH is not a dedicated SEN school.

Two main EAL programmes operate within ISH. The Academic Language Programme (ALP) for Years 7-9 provides three extra English lessons per week focused on academic language. The Individual Learning Programme (ILP) for Years 10-13 offers additional language support when ALP is not offered. EAL accommodations for MYP phases include 25% extra time in assignments and access to dictionaries for some tasks. The EAL team includes Maria Ferraiuelo, Marta Galinska, Hanna Harmander (EAL Coordinator) and Julia Strohpagel, with contact through h.harmander@ishthehague.nl. The EAL department implements a whole-school language acquisition programme to enhance student learning and wellbeing.

Mental wellbeing is integrated into ISH's wellbeing framework. The school recognises that students achieve personal excellence only if their physical, social and emotional wellbeing is supported and uses a restorative approach to emphasise relationships and empathy. The programmes help students understand how wellbeing supports their learning and future success, and the Student Charter reinforces the right to respectful treatment and personal safety. The Health Office and anti-bullying initiatives contribute to a safe, healthy environment for students. Learning Support and EAL provisions address social-emotional development and resilience as part of the holistic approach to education.

Safeguarding and child protection are a priority at ISH. The school states that every child has the right to develop physically, mentally and socially in a safe and secure environment. Staff have a responsibility to foster a safe, caring and supportive environment inside and outside the classroom. ISH follows up on any allegations or signs of abuse or neglect and may involve local or international law enforcement and Dutch child protection bodies. The welfare of children is the prime consideration in any response, and safeguarding measures include rigorous safe recruitment practices aligned with the International Task Force on Child Protection. The Safeguarding Policy is developed within the context of Rijnlands Lyceum regulations, national and international law and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Designated Safeguarding Leads include dsl@ishthehague.nl, with designated staff for Primary and Secondary and a safeguarding team.