Skip To Main Content

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

At Samakee, we place great importance on identifying special educational needs (SEN) early so that we can help children as quickly as possible. Once it has been decided that your child has SEN, staff working with your child take into account the Samakee SEN Policy. The policy describes how we help children with special educational needs at Samakee through a step-by-step or graduated approach.

Our graduated approach recognises that children and young people learn in different ways and can have different kinds or levels of SEN. So increasingly, step-by-step, specialist expertise is brought in to help our school with the difficulties that a child may have.

If your child does not seem to be making enough progress or needs a lot more extra help, the school may contact parents so that an assessment can be carried out for your child by a Developmental Paediatrician at Merak Clinic. This is only required for a very small number of children and is only necessary if the school cannot provide all the help that your child needs. It is usually only required for children who have the most significant and long-term special educational needs which need a very detailed assessment.

The approach may include:
an individually-designed learning programme
extra help from a learning support assistant who may be assigned to your child. This occurs if it is decided by the multidisciplinary team that your child is unable to access the curriculum independently. The decision is reached and agreed on by all people working with the child.
being taught individually or in a small group for regular short periods
drawing up a personal plan in liaison with Merak and or our Inclusion Leader, including setting targets for improvement, regular review of progress before setting new targets.
Merak HomeSchool meetings with parents, carers, Merak therapists and teachers who work with your child.

Upper School

A group of young students performing on stage, with musical instruments and decorative banners in the background.
St. Andrews Samakee : Skills for a Digital World

We embed the 4C’s—Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Communication, and Creativity—throughout every lesson. This focus nurtures the independence and resilience necessary for our students to thrive in an interconnected 21st century world.

A group of people enjoying various water activities, such as kayaking and paddling, in a scenic tropical setting with lush greenery and clear turquoise waters in the background.
St. Andrews Samakee : Expanding Our Journey

We are excited to announce our commitment to becoming a comprehensive secondary school. From 2027/28, our Upper School will expand to include KS4, offering internationally recognized IGCSE courses to continue our students' development as confident lifelong learners.

The image shows a group of people sitting on the floor, engaged in what appears to be a discussion or collaborative activity. The background includes a couch and other furnishings, suggesting a casual, indoor setting.
St. Andrews Samakee : Taught by Subject Specialists

Our Upper School curriculum is fully aligned with the British National Curriculum. Students receive expert instruction across all subjects, from Core Academics to specialized programmes in Art, Design Lab, and Languages.

Upper School at Samakee comprises four year groups, from Year 6 to Year 9 (ages 10–14).

During these years, students are taught by specialist teachers across a wide range of subjects, including the Core subjects; English, Maths, Science and Computer Science. These are complemented by our Foundation Subject programmes in History, Geography, Art & Design, Spanish, Thai, Music, Design Lab, PE and Swimming. These subjects are taught discretely to ensure depth of study and specialist expertise.


Three young boys in casual clothing are sitting together on a bench, engaged in conversation or interaction.
Two young men in athletic clothing are running on a grassy field, with tents and other people visible in the background.
A swimmer in a blue cap and goggles is performing the butterfly stroke in a clear blue swimming pool.
A young person stands in front of a large display featuring the word %22Science%22 and various scientific-themed graphics and hexagonal shapes on the wall behind them.
The image shows two women standing in a garden-like setting, with a Buddhist monk seated on a raised platform in the background.
A swimmer in a blue swimsuit is diving into a clear, blue swimming pool with lane markers visible in the foreground, and spectator stands in the background.
A young boy in a white shirt is carefully mixing liquids in a laboratory setting, surrounded by various scientific equipment and supplies.
A young boy in a blue and white jersey stands in front of a large certificate of achievement displayed on a wall.
The image depicts a group of students in a science laboratory, engaged in an experiment involving a scientific apparatus on a table. The background includes a poster displaying the scientific method.
A young boy in a green t-shirt is jumping over a series of chairs in an outdoor setting, with other people visible in the background.
Two young boys are playing on the floor of what appears to be a classroom or daycare setting, surrounded by various educational materials and toys.
The image shows a group of people playing basketball on an outdoor basketball court surrounded by trees and greenery.
A person wearing a colorful costume with a headpiece and holding a prop stands in front of a vibrant green background.
A group of people sitting in a circle on a grassy lawn, surrounded by lush green trees in the background.
A person playing a saxophone on a stage, with a drum set and other musical equipment visible in the background.
Two young students, a boy and a girl, are playing drums together in what appears to be a school or music classroom setting, with various musical instruments and equipment visible in the background.
Two young boys sitting on the floor, one reading a book and the other looking at something in his hands, in what appears to be a cozy home setting with bookshelves in the background.
A group of people, mostly young, standing on a path surrounded by lush greenery and mountains in the background.
A group of people are paddling on a wooden raft in a body of water surrounded by lush greenery.
A group of people, likely students, sitting together in front of a large, ancient-looking tree with thick roots and a lush, green canopy in what appears to be an outdoor setting.
A group of people standing in front of a large, cascading waterfall surrounded by lush, green vegetation.
A group of young children in colorful shirts are running on a grassy field, with trees and buildings visible in the background.
Two young people in life jackets and helmets standing on a wooden platform in a body of water, with a group of people observing in the background.
A group of young women in dance attire are gathered in a studio, with one woman in a red dress standing in the foreground.
Three students, two girls and one boy, are working together on a whiteboard in what appears to be a classroom setting, with bookshelves visible in the background.
UpperSchoolCurriculumBooklet202526 (PDF)

Our curriculum is fully aligned with the British National Curriculum for KS2 and KS3, providing a broad and balanced programme of study that supports both academic achievement and personal growth. Students experience a rich variety of learning opportunities that are child-centred and designed to nurture independence and resilience.

Embedded throughout the curriculum are the 4C’s – Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Communication, and Creativity – essential 21st century skills that prepare our students to thrive in an increasingly digital and interconnected world.

 

 


The image contains a collage of various elements, including a large text that reads %22Chapter Shake!%22 and a date of %22Year 10 in 2027%22. The background features images of people in traditional clothing, a building, and other outdoor scenes.

Looking ahead, we are excited to announce that from 2027/28 our Upper School will extend into KS4 (Years 10 and 11), enabling students to continue their journey with us into IGCSE courses. This will further strengthen our commitment to providing a British-style education that supports and develops ‘independent, confident lifelong learners.’


A more detailed description can be found in this curriculum booklet:

The image shows a multi-story building with the text %22Upper School Curriculum Overview Booklet%22 displayed prominently on the facade. The building appears to be a school, with a paved area in the foreground and a blue sky in the background.
The image displays a content list for the St. Andrews Samalkha International School, providing an overview of the core subjects, foundation subjects, assessment overview, and parental support tips.
The image displays the text %22Core Subjects%22 with a list of academic disciplines including Maths, Science, English Language, Computer Science, and Thai, against a light-colored background.
The image presents a list of mathematics topics covered in Year 7/8, including numbers, algebra, geometry, and statistics, along with indicators for building mathematical skills.
The image features a smiling woman with curly hair in a pink shirt against a blue background, along with a %22Welcome Note%22 text.
The image appears to be a curriculum overview for a Year 6 Maths course at St Andrews Samakee International School, highlighting the key topics and skills to be covered, such as Number, Geometry, Measurement, and Statistics.
The image presents a list of science topics covered in Year 7/Year 8 and Year 9 of a curriculum, with the topics organized into terms and displayed against a background of scientific symbols and diagrams.
The image presents a list of Year 9 Maths topics, including calculating, constructing, and visualizing, as well as problem-solving and reasoning. It also outlines the features of the Upper School Online Platform, such as MyMaths.co.uk and MyiMaths.com.
The image presents a curriculum overview for a science course, covering various topics such as lab safety, the circulatory system, diet and lifestyle, living things and their habits, electricity, and variations and fossils.
The image appears to be a curriculum overview for an English program at St Andrews Seagate International School, outlining the key texts and authors that will be covered in Years 6, 7, and 9.
The image is a textual description of the importance of reading in upper school, highlighting the benefits it provides for students in terms of choice, voice, and fostering a culture of reading for pleasure.
The image appears to be a curriculum overview for a computer science course, covering topics such as digital literacy, computational thinking, internet safety, network and semaphores, coding, and information kiosks.
The image appears to be a curriculum overview for a computer science course, covering topics such as digital innovators, advanced creators, computational thinking, internet safety, Python programming, and mobile app development.
The image presents information about the Thai language learning program for upper school, including the core elements, functional literacy, geography, social etiquette, and a communicative approach through first-hand experiences.
The image displays information about the Thai language curriculum for upper school students, including a list of topics to be covered and a visual element depicting a person writing.
The image appears to be a curriculum overview for a Thai language learning program, featuring a map of Thailand in the background and a list of topics to be covered in Year 6.
The image presents a curriculum overview for a Computer Science course in Year 9, covering various topics such as Computational Thinking, Internet Safety, Bebras Computing Challenges, and Interactive Game Development.
The image displays the text %22Foundation Subjects%22 in the center, surrounded by a list of academic subjects including Physical Education, Swimming, Art and Design, Spanish, Music, and Humanities.
Swimming is a valuable life skill and form of exercise, as described in the text accompanying the image. The image shows the title %22Swimming%22 along with a brief description of the benefits and importance of swimming for students, including personal growth, development, and confidence.
The image provides an overview of the topics and assessment areas covered in the Physical Education curriculum, including games, track and field, health-related fitness, outdoor and adventurous activities, and various sports and games.
The image is a curriculum overview for an art and design education program, highlighting the topics and skills covered in each year of the program.
The image appears to be a lesson plan or curriculum guide for a Spanish language course, covering various topics related to daily life, routines, weather, seasons, sports, food, and culture.
The image provides an overview of the Spanish language curriculum at St Andrews Samake International School, covering topics, skills, and activities across the upper school phase.
The image presents an overview of the art and design curriculum for a school, outlining the topics and skills to be covered over the course of two years.
The image is a poster titled %22Music%22 that provides an overview of the Year 6 Music curriculum, focusing on the journey to jazz through the exploration of Ragtime, the Blues, and early Jazz.
The image is a curriculum overview for a music course, listing various skills and topics to be covered, including recorder playing, listening to different composers, and analyzing pop music.
The image provides an overview of the music curriculum for students in Years 7, 8, and 9 at St Andrews Samake International School, highlighting the skills and knowledge they will develop through performing, composing, and listening to music.
The image provides an overview of the key skills and focus areas within the humanities curriculum at the St. Andrews Samakee International School, including chronological understanding, historical concepts, historical and geographical inquiry, communication skills, locational knowledge, and geographical skills.
The image presents a curriculum outline for a humanities course, covering various topics and themes across different academic years at the St Andrews Samake International School.
The image provides an overview of assessment, explaining its importance in a child's learning process and the different types of assessments used, such as declarative knowledge, procedural knowledge, formative assessments, and summative assessments.
The image presents a list of %22Parental Support Tips%22 that provide guidance on supporting a child's educational success, including recommendations such as maintaining a regular study routine, fostering curiosity, and encouraging open communication with teachers.
A multi-story building with a distinctive architectural style stands in the foreground, set against a clear blue sky in the background.