ACS International School Egham

The school has a Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) program that shapes compassionate, confident, and responsible individuals. It integrates character development, wellbeing, and life skills across learning, and promotes ACS values in every aspect of learning. PSHE is delivered across the school through cross-disciplinary work, whole-cohort assemblies, and PSHE classes. PSHE topics include mental health and wellbeing, living in the wider world, and relationships, with age-appropriate content from Grade 1 to Grade 10. The program supports social-emotional growth within a caring and inclusive school culture.

ACS provides Special Education Needs and Disability (SEN/D) support for students with learning differences across four broad areas of need: communication and interaction; cognition and learning; social, emotional and mental health; and sensory and/or physical. The policy emphasizes inclusive practice, removing barriers to learning, high-quality teaching, early identification, and collaboration with parents and the wider community. It is informed by Universal Design for Learning to ensure accessible and meaningful learning opportunities for all students. The school uses a Multi-Tier Service System (MTSS) with three tiers of service, with levels reviewed at least annually and adjusted to student progress. Dedicated SEN/D staff work with mainstream teachers to integrate support into the classroom, with on-site external specialists available when needed (at parental expense) and case managers coordinating services.

At ACS Egham, the Lower School EAL programme supports young learners in a welcoming environment where they can make friends and engage with the curriculum. Specialist EAL teachers work with students across language competencies, and progress is carefully monitored. Early and primary years learn English in an immersion setting, using their full linguistic repertoire in a process called translanguaging to create an inclusive learning environment. The EAL programme provides small-group lessons, in-class support from specialist teachers, and optional Home Language Enrichment after school. For students new to English, progression follows from Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills (BICS) to Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (CALP). The EAL curriculum combines targeted language development with access to content and regular assessment across speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

Wellbeing is central to ACS Egham's educational philosophy. In Lower School, wellbeing aims to support physical, emotional, and mental health through a caring environment, self-care, boundaries, and engaging activities that foster resilience and a sense of belonging. Mental health resources, positive relationships with teachers, physical activity, and outdoor learning contribute to overall wellbeing. Mindfulness and self-care practices, movement breaks, and access to calm spaces help students develop healthy coping strategies. The wellbeing provisions support social and emotional growth alongside academic success.

ACS Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy emphasizes that safeguarding is everyone's business and that ACS provides an environment where children feel safe, valued, and able to raise concerns. The policy aligns with legislation and guidance such as Keeping Children Safe in Education (2025) and applies to all staff, trustees, and leadership. Its aims include safeguarding welfare, early identification of need, and coordinated action across the school and with external agencies, with a clear reporting and escalation process. The policy holds the welfare of the child as paramount, maintains zero tolerance for sexual violence and harassment, and promotes safeguarding through partnerships with parents and services. It also covers online safety, information sharing, and safeguarding responsibilities in both school and community contexts.