American Academy School

The American Academy School expresses social-emotional development through its School-Wide Learning Outcomes, which describe Self-directed learners, Critical thinkers, Effective communicators, and Responsible citizens. The Inclusion Policy requires the Counsellor/Social Worker to work with students and teachers to set social/emotional goals and to develop goals and plans (including Individual Behaviour Plans) when needed. The school operates a tiered Support System (Tier 1–3) that includes regular Counsellor, Social Worker, and Inclusion Specialist involvement to monitor progress and provide interventions. Social/emotional goals and supports are integrated into Individual Education Plans (IEPs) or related accommodation plans as appropriate. The aim to value diversity and to foster a safe, inclusive environment underpins the SEL-oriented goals and expectations across the student body.

AAS uses an Inclusion Policy with an Inclusion Team (Learning Support Teacher, Counsellor, Social Worker, Inclusion Specialist/SEN Teachers, SENCO) to identify and support students with Additional Learning Needs. Additional Needs students are placed in the least restrictive environment and receive a mix of in-class support, small-group instruction, 1:1 interventions, and services outside the classroom, including IEPs and ongoing reviews. The policy lists Disability categories such as Cognition and Learning, Specific Learning Disorders, Speech/Communication Delays, Social/Emotional/Mental Health Disorders, and Medical conditions as areas of potential need. AAS is not a specialist SEN institution; it is an inclusive school that uses SEN specialists and an Inclusion Team to plan and deliver support. The school emphasizes collaboration with parents and external agencies as part of the ALN process and includes mechanisms to identify and support English Language Learners (ELL) within this framework.

English Language Learners receive targeted support under the Inclusion Policy via EAL Intervention and an EAL Specialist, with progress monitored regularly across the curriculum. The policy specifies that EAL involvement can include in-class support and dedicated EAL staff to assist language development while teaching within the normal subject areas. EAL progress is tracked through regular monitoring and data collection to determine if further intervention is needed. ELL considerations are explicit: students with different home languages are accommodated, but ELL is not treated as a learning disability solely due to language differences. The tiered system (Tier 2) includes EAL Intervention and the option of additional support plans (including 1:1 or small-group support) as part of the inclusion framework.

Social/emotional goals are identified and addressed through the Counsellor and a School-led tiered support structure; the Counsellor collaborates with the student, classroom teachers, and the Learning Support team to create specific goals and plans. The Inclusion Policy specifies that social/emotional, medical, or other concerns creating barriers to learning are managed with a plan implemented and monitored by the Counsellor/Social Worker. Tier 1 includes Counsellor check-ins and initial interventions for social/emotional, organizational, and academic needs; Tier 2 provides targeted EAL and inclusion support with the Counsellor involved; Tier 3 involves longer-term SEN interventions with the Inclusion Specialist and Counsellor. Overall, the school's safeguarding and inclusion practices explicitly address students' social, emotional, and mental health needs within a formal framework. The Safeguarding Policy reinforces the commitment to a safe, caring environment where student wellbeing is a central concern.

The Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy establishes the school's primary duty to protect children and promote their welfare, aligning with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and Qatar's laws. It sets out mandated reporting procedures and the roles of the Child Protection Coordinator (CPC) and committee members who respond to concerns without delay. The policy assigns clear responsibilities to all staff for safeguarding, including adherence to a Code of Conduct and safe recruitment practices (background checks for staff). It defines maltreatment and provides guidance on signs to look for across physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, neglect, bullying, and cyberbullying. The Safeguarding policy outlines the process for reporting, investigation, and protective actions, and emphasizes that staff coordinate with parents and appropriate authorities as needed.