General Wellbeing

Section 1: Social, Academic, and Emotional Support

ISA takes a holistic approach to wellbeing using multi-tiered interventions called ‘response to intervention.’


First, teachers try to spot concerns while they are still at a low level.  A keyworker (in preschool) or classroom teacher (in elementary) will talk to the child to find out more; they may also talk informally with the parent to broaden their understanding of the child and their situation.  Working with parents is fundamental to our approach.  In middle and high school, subject teachers will talk to the child and parents about academic concerns, and the advisor may follow up if there is a more general concern.  Subject teachers and advisors are more likely to email.  


If a parent has any concern about their child they can contact the Key Worker (preschool), Classroom Teacher (elementary) or Advisor (middle and high school). For specific academic concerns in middle and high school you can contact the subject teacher directly and you can find who they are by looking at your child’s Powerschool timetable.  In Middle and High School dynamic academic feedback is regularly available through the Powerschool system to help you keep up to date with progress in classes.


Parents can also contact our school counsellor, Valerie DeGraw, for help with kindergarten to Grade 12 holistic care.  She is always available for a quick chat or more focused care regarding social, academic, and wellbeing interventions or referrals.  Heather Barker, our high school careers advisor, primarily works with Grades 9 to 12 on finding the right post-secondary pathway.  This document gives more detail about who to contact for support in high school. 


It is important that we get the big picture about each child.  So, if a child is struggling to complete assignments or is finding it difficult to settle  in one class, the subject teacher will log it so other teachers know. We can then get a sense of whether an issue is general or specific.


We also have weekly meetings about students with academic concerns and another one about students with wellbeing concerns, so that we can take a coordinated approach to supporting children.  Often when a child is feeling unhappy, it is not just one thing; we make sure to consider academic, social and wellbeing together.  Our school nurse, Frances Sibbett,  also comes to our wellbeing meetings to complete the picture.  


Our learning support team Hannah Powell for Elementary, Ulrika Atkinson for Middle School and  Jo Lockhart for High School assist with academic help.  Our EAL teachers Cristi Sanz and Helen Perrell ensure a successful transition for academic English instruction and work closely with the subject teachers.  


Much of the time, an informal holistic approach is all that is needed.  Sometimes a student needs more structured support (this is tier 2 in our multi-tiered approach).  This may involve a Targeted Intervention and Action Plan (TIAP),   Idividual Education Plan (IEP), a medical care plan or some other written document.  It may take the form of regularly scheduled check-ins with the student and family.  This could be with the counsellor, a learning support teacher, an assistant principal or one of our LIAM trained staff.  We share information with teachers  that will support the student while also respecting confidentiality (see our data policy).  Teachers access student information in Powerschool where  medical, academic and wellbeing information they need to know is posted with confidential alerts.


Occasionally, a student may need a great deal more help - tier 3 of our multi-tiered response to intervention.  At this stage, we may need additional support from outside agencies particularly the National Health Service via  Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) , Community Child Health (CCH) and Social Work. Our school nurse helps families access these external services and our counsellors and nurse can also assist with private referrals.

Advice for Course Selection, Post Secondary Options and Careers

From Grade 8 students and their families have to make increasingly important decisions about their future.  They have options for IGCSE classes in Grades 9 and 10, and also for their IB diploma courses in Grades 11 and 12.  They also have to think carefully about their post-secondary education and the types of careers that all these choices may lead to. Our high school careers advisor, Heather Barker,  helps students make the right choices.  She works with students as well as running general information sessions for families.  In addition we host universities, visiting experts and careers talks.  


Our K-12 school counsellor, Valerie DeGraw, helps grade 6-8 middle school students and families make course selections when they join ISA, along with assisting families and students with transitions for social, emotional, and academic success.   

Useful Wellbeing Websites and Helplines for Support

SAMH - supporting mental health in Scotland

Clear your head: 5 steps to wellbeing

Mindful Apps for Older Students

Tips for Keeping Young Kids Calm

CAMHS resources for kids and families


Helplines for Support: