The British International School of Houston's Student Support Services Team includes dedicated Learning Support Teachers, English as an Additional Language Teachers, a School Therapist, and Student Support Assistants, who work within the classroom.
Learning Support
At the British International School of Houston, we offer personalised education within an inclusive environment – recognising that students develop and learn in a variety of ways. Students sometimes need support to reach their full potential, and our Learning Support Team offers this support, alongside guidance to students, their parents, and their teachers.
The Learning Support Team develops personalised support plans to facilitate the individual development of each student. These support plans can include classroom accommodations, small group interventions, 1:1 learning support sessions, and positive behaviour support plans. The Learning Support Team may suggest an external evaluation to assess a student’s specific strengths and challenges and will then incorporate any recommendations to ensure the student can fully access the curriculum. BIS Houston also has a team of external therapists, who can work with students who require an intensive 1:1 plan – although this service would be at an additional cost to parents.
English as an Additional Language
Many BIS Houston students fluently communicate in two or three languages, but sometimes that does not include English. Students whose first language is not English may need additional support and our English as an Additional Language (EAL) team supports these students as they develop their English language skills, supporting their access to the curriculum.
The level of support a student may require (intensive or standard) is based on an EAL assessment that may be necessary as part of the admissions process. The EAL team utilises the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), an international standard used for language teaching, learning, and assessment around the world, to determine each student's assessment level. Students are assessed against the CEFR at regular points throughout the school year to determine their need for continued support.
Our School Therapist
BIS Houston's School Therapist provides short-term, solution-focused counselling sessions to support students’ mental and emotional well-being. The School Therapy Office, located in the Agora, is a nurturing and calm environment, where students can explore their thoughts and feelings while also developing healthy coping skills and emotional intelligence. The School Therapist works collaboratively with school staff and parents to ensure the best quality of care, while also maintaining students' confidentiality as much as possible.
