We wish for all our students to be active learners and for them to understand that we are all learners with strengths and areas for development. We support each other’s learning processes and celebrate diversity.
Odense International School is an inclusive school, which means we are dedicated to meeting the learning needs of all our students. Our classrooms should reflect the diversity of the world and society in which we live.
Teachers set up their classrooms and lessons for differentiation and provide process-oriented feedback to students. We support social and emotional learning in our school through active citizenship, class discussions, and whole-school projects.
OIS is a relatively small learning community, which does mean that there are limited resources for special educational needs and language support. However, our own speech and language therapist provides not only language therapy sessions, but also communication training and emotional regulation.
Much of our offered support is integrated into the classroom or in small mixed-ability groups outside the classroom. Parents will always be contacted regarding support and must give consent in order for the programmes to begin.
Mixed-ability pull-outs mean that if we are training communication skills (e.g. taking turns), it is also necessary to support relationships which can continue in the classroom and on the playground. We also learn through good examples and positive mirrors.
Students who are offered learning support at OIS will be assisted by a team-based approach which can involve just the teaching team, parents, and the student, but if need be, we will coordinate with our specialist staff and/or Odense Municipality’s Pedagogical Psychological Counselling Services (PPR).
The Municipal school psychologist can assist children socially, emotionally, and cognitively. This service then refers us to further support services or provides the teaching team and parents with guidance.
Individual Education Plans, when necessary, are designed by the teaching team and supervised by the school psychologist. The school psychologist approves applications for additional funding in cases where extensive support is needed. Families with a child receiving speech therapy or communication training are also offered the opportunity to come in and learn more about or practice tools for supporting their child.
Students on learning support have their plans reviewed regularly, and parents are invited in for feedback sessions.
The student’s voice is encouraged at all levels in our school community.