Academic support

We aim to offer a varied range of challenging experiences that will give all students an opportunity for learning the lessons that will mean the most to them as individuals. UWCSEA students come from a wide range of cultural and academic backgrounds and the College have various programmes to help make sure that each student is reaching their own personal potential.

In addition to our well-stocked libraries, the school offers additional academic support to those students to we feel would benefit from this assistance.

Library

Our well-stocked library is used extensively for class lessons as well as for recreational reading. All children are encouraged to take books out to read for pleasure and for research, for an initial period of two weeks. Grade 2 and 3 students may borrow only one book at any given time, whilst Grade 4 and 5 students are able to borrow two books at any one time. If books are lost we ask for them to be replaced in monetary terms. Students have a regular day and time to visit the library with their class and may also go there during lunch-times and until 4:15pm after school. We also have a teacher librarian who works with the students making sure they get the most out of their library and are enjoying books to the fullest.

We are continually adding to our collection, expanding the choices within all genres, including books needed for research. Students are also encouraged to make suggestions for books.

Learning support

The Learning Support programme is designed to help students develop an active approach to their learning. Specific help is provided with activities and concepts related to core academic subjects such as Literacy and Mathematics.

The Learning Support curriculum also includes:

• reading strategies
• spelling
• grammar
• note taking
• fiction/non-fiction writing techniques
• revision skills
• computers as study tools

Skill-building exercises focus on:

• listening and following directions
• perceptual skills
• reasoning and critical thinking
• vocabulary development
• memory strategies

Organisational and self-help skills are also included in the programme:

• setting targets
• time management
• organising materials and equipment
• effective completion of homework
• identifying learning styles and strengths
• task analysis

Learning support staff liaise with parents and other teachers to build a clear picture of a student's learning needs. They are also qualified and trained to use a range of internationally standardised assessment materials, when additional information about a student's learning profile is needed. Learning support staff and parents then plan how best to support the student: this may take the form of specialist teaching, guidance or in-class support. At each stage, parents are consulted and involved. There are regular reviews and meetings to discuss progress and agree on targets. In order to reach their true potential, some students may require short-term support, others need longer.