Student Support at Eerde IBS

At Eerde International Boarding School, student support is built around a simple principle: every student is different, and support should reflect the whole person.

Our Student Support Team (SST) brings together both learning support and wellbeing support to provide a coordinated, holistic approach. This means that academic progress, emotional wellbeing, social development, and boarding life are considered together, rather than separately.

How Student Support Works

Support at Eerde is proactive, flexible, and responsive. Students may receive support at different levels depending on their needs, and this can change over time.

Students may be identified for support through:

• Observations from teachers, tutors, or boarding staff

• Information shared by parents

• The admissions process (e.g. previous school reports or assessments)

• The student themselves asking for support or guidance

Once a need is identified, the Student Support Team:

• Gathers information from teachers, tutors, and the student

• May carry out a short period of observation

• Meets with the student (and parents where appropriate)

• Agrees on the most appropriate support

If needed, a Student Support Plan (SSP) is created. This is a clear, shared plan that outlines how the student will be supported both in and out of the classroom.

Each student with a plan is assigned a Student Support Officer, who acts as their main point of contact and ensures consistency across subjects and boarding.

Types of Support Students May Receive

Support at Eerde is tailored to individual needs and may include:

Academic Support

• Study skills, organisation, and time management

• Subject-specific support or small-group workshops

• Support with reading, writing, or mathematical skills

Wellbeing and Emotional Support

• Regular check-ins with a Student Support Officer

• Support with stress, anxiety, confidence, or motivation

• Guidance during transitions or periods of change

Language Support (EAL)

• Additional support for students developing their English

• Small-group lessons or in-class language scaffolding

Learning Differences and Neurodiversity

• Support strategies for students with dyslexia, ADHD, processing challenges, and other learning differences

• Adaptations to help students access the curriculum effectively

Behaviour and Self-Management

• Support with routines, focus, and emotional regulation

• Clear expectations and strategies to support positive behaviour

Boarding and Life Skills

• Support with organisation, routines, and independence

• Help with adjustment to boarding life, including homesickness

Enrichment and Extension

• Opportunities for highly able students to be challenged and extended

• Independent projects, leadership roles, and advanced learning opportunities

Support in the Classroom

Teachers use a range of strategies to ensure all students can access learning, such as:

• Clear verbal and written instructions

• Visual supports and examples

• Breaking tasks into manageable steps

• Allowing different ways to demonstrate understanding

• Providing additional time or structure where needed

These approaches benefit all students and are a key part of inclusive teaching at Eerde.

Levels of Support and Fees

Eerde operates a tiered model of student support, which reflects the level of provision required.

Some students require minimal or occasional support, which is included within standard school provision.

Others may require more structured or frequent support, such as regular mentoring, small-group lessons, or targeted academic intervention.

A smaller number of students require intensive, personalised support, including multiple weekly sessions, in-class assistance, or specialist input.

Where support extends beyond what can reasonably be provided within standard classroom and pastoral provision, additional charges may apply. These are based on the level of support required, the frequency of sessions, and whether provision is delivered individually or in small groups.

The school uses a clear framework to determine support levels, expected provision, and associated costs. This framework is shared with families and reviewed regularly to ensure that support remains appropriate and proportionate.

Parents are always consulted before any chargeable support is put in place, and decisions are made collaboratively with the Student Support Team.

Working with External Specialists

In some cases, additional support from external professionals may be recommended, such as educational psychologists or counsellors.

The school works closely with families to coordinate this and ensure that any recommendations are integrated into the student’s support plan.

Our Approach

Student support at Eerde is:

• Holistic – considering the whole student

• Flexible – adapting as needs change

• Collaborative – involving students, parents, and staff

• Proactive – identifying needs early

• Inclusive – ensuring all students can succeed

Our aim is not only to support students in overcoming challenges, but also to help them develop the skills, confidence, and independence they need for future success.