International School of Berne

ISBerne places great importance on the uniqueness of each child and provides proactive, holistic student support that is caring, inclusive, and individualized. The Student Support Services team consists of professionals in Counselling, English as an Additional Language, and Learning Support, who work with class teachers to address students' socio-emotional and academic needs. Students are encouraged to feel safe, secure, and comfortable in their environment to maximize learning. A Counsellor on campus supports behavioral, social, or emotional needs that might affect learning, with a collaborative approach to referrals and connections to community mental health services. The school maintains a rigorous Child Protection Policy to ensure each child's physical and psychological safety.

ISBerne welcomes students with mild-to-moderate learning needs, and teachers differentiate instruction in the classroom to meet individual needs. The school cannot cater for moderate-to-severe learning needs. A Learning Support teacher provides tools, strategies, and interventions, and there is a level of learning support included in tuition fees. If additional services such as speech therapy, exam readers, or one-to-one tutoring are required, the family is responsible for those costs. The campus is wheelchair accessible.

English is the medium of instruction at ISBerne. English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is provided for students up to and including Grade 10. There is no additional fee for the EAL support programme, and students meet with the ESL specialist during the German or French lesson. New students may be asked to demonstrate their English language proficiency to meet grade-level requirements. For entry to the Diploma Programme in Grade 11, a B2 level of English is required, and for the full IB Diploma, a C1 level is required.

ISBerne provides Counselling and Wellbeing support with a fully qualified on-campus counsellor who assists students with behavioral, social, or emotional needs that might affect learning. The Counselling team works with a collaborative approach to referrals and consultations with community mental health services. The school actively monitors and responds to students' emotional needs to support well-being. The environment is designed to be safe, supportive, and conducive to learning. Safeguarding policies underpin these practices to protect student welfare.

ISBerne maintains a rigorous Child Protection Policy to ensure each child's physical and psychological safety. This policy underpins safeguarding practices across the school. The Counselling team collaborates with community mental health services to support students and respond to safeguarding concerns. The school prioritizes a safe and secure environment where students can learn with confidence. Safeguarding procedures are implemented in alignment with these policies.