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.

Samakee Mission

A group of young students in school uniforms are gathered around a table, engaged in a hands-on learning activity involving various objects.
St. Andrews Samakee: Togetherness at Our Heart

Our name means togetherness. This powerful word forms the foundation of our ethos and drives our deep commitment to creating a unified, inclusive, and supportive environment for every member of our community.

A group of people, bundled up in winter clothing, holding a banner with the logo of an organization, standing in a snowy, mountainous landscape.
St. Andrews Samakee: Togetherness at Our Heart

Our name means togetherness. This powerful word forms the foundation of our ethos and drives our deep commitment to creating a unified, inclusive, and supportive environment for every member of our community.

A group of dancers in vibrant pink costumes performing on a stage, with a projection screen visible in the background.
St. Andrews Samakee: Togetherness at Our Heart

Our name means togetherness. This powerful word forms the foundation of our ethos and drives our deep commitment to creating a unified, inclusive, and supportive environment for every member of our community.

A group of soccer players, both male and female, standing together on a soccer field in front of a stadium.
St. Andrews Samakee : Nurturing the Whole Child

Our child-centred philosophy goes beyond academics. We focus on each student's individual needs, interests, and wellbeing, ensuring they feel safe, supported, and valued as they grow into well-rounded individuals.

A group of people, both adults and children, are gathered on a grassy lawn surrounded by lush greenery and a wooden structure in the background.
St. Andrews Samakee : Nurturing the Whole Child

Our child-centred philosophy goes beyond academics. We focus on each student's individual needs, interests, and wellbeing, ensuring they feel safe, supported, and valued as they grow into well-rounded individuals.

The image shows a group of four young people, likely students, standing on a stage and performing or speaking to an audience seated in front of them. The background features a large projection screen displaying text and images.
St. Andrews Samakee : Nurturing the Whole Child

Our child-centred philosophy goes beyond academics. We focus on each student's individual needs, interests, and wellbeing, ensuring they feel safe, supported, and valued as they grow into well-rounded individuals.

A group of young students are engaged in a hands-on learning activity, sitting around a table and working with various materials and art supplies in a colorful and lively classroom setting.
St. Andrews Samakee : Nurturing the Whole Child

Our child-centred philosophy goes beyond academics. We focus on each student's individual needs, interests, and wellbeing, ensuring they feel safe, supported, and valued as they grow into well-rounded individuals.

Four young people in school uniforms are posing with their arms raised in a celebratory manner, holding medals around their necks. The background appears to be a plain white wall, suggesting this is likely a school or athletic facility setting.
St. Andrews Samakee: Togetherness at Our Heart

Our name means togetherness. This powerful word forms the foundation of our ethos and drives our deep commitment to creating a unified, inclusive, and supportive environment for every member of our community.

A group of children, both boys and girls, standing on a large rock in a lush, green outdoor setting with a wooden structure in the background.
St. Andrews Samakee: Togetherness at Our Heart

Our name means togetherness. This powerful word forms the foundation of our ethos and drives our deep commitment to creating a unified, inclusive, and supportive environment for every member of our community.

Three young girls, dressed in colorful clothing, are engaged in a playful activity, surrounded by a vibrant, paint-splattered background.
St. Andrews Samakee : Nurturing the Whole Child

Our child-centred philosophy goes beyond academics. We focus on each student's individual needs, interests, and wellbeing, ensuring they feel safe, supported, and valued as they grow into well-rounded individuals.

At St. Andrews Samakee International School, we believe every child deserves an education that celebrates their unique gifts and supports them to flourish in all aspects of their development.

Our name, Samakee, means togetherness, and it perfectly captures who we are. Within our close-knit school family, we create a safe, nurturing environment where every child is known, valued and supported to reach their full potential.
We offer an education that extends beyond the English National Curriculum, embracing the learner-centred principles of the International Baccalaureate. Our small, purposefully designed campus allows every student to know all our staff, and our teachers to be deeply aware of each child's particular strengths and needs.

Our Core Values

Our mission is brought to life through our core values, which form the foundation of everything we do:

Safe

A woman in a blue swimsuit is interacting with a young girl in a pool, with a scenic background of water and sky visible.

We create a secure and nurturing environment where every child feels they belong.

Mindful

A young child is selecting fresh vegetables from a display in what appears to be a cafeteria or food service setting, with various prepared food items visible in the background.

We teach and model reflection, emotional awareness, and thoughtfulness.

Kind

Two young boys are interacting with a large tortoise in a grassy outdoor setting, with a building visible in the background.

We celebrate empathy, respect, and caring for one another.

Engaged

Two young boys are intently focused on drawing or coloring something on a table, surrounded by various art supplies and plants in the background.

We foster curiosity, participation, and a genuine love for learning.

Our Commitment

Our Promise to Families

When you join St. Andrews Samakee, you become part of an extended family with shared values and a commitment to achieve something very special. We promise to:

  • Know your child as an individual and celebrate their particular gifts
  • Provide a warm, homelike environment where children feel safe and happy
  • Develop the whole child - their mind, body, character and spirit
  • Work in partnership with you to support your child's learning and development
  • Maintain the highest expectations of ourselves and the children in our care
  • Create a learning environment where every child can become an independent, confident lifelong learner

The Samakee Learner

Through our mission and values, we enable children of all ages to become:

  • Creative thinkers - approaching challenges with imagination and innovation
  • Communicators - expressing themselves confidently in multiple languages
  • Inquirers - asking questions and pursuing their curiosity
  • Risk takers - having the courage to try new things
  • Collaborators - working effectively with others
  • Reflective - thinking about their learning and growth
  • Principled - acting with integrity and honesty
  • Open-minded - respecting different perspectives and cultures
  • Caring - showing empathy and compassion
  • Balanced - developing physically, emotionally and intellectually
  • Knowledgeable - building understanding across all areas of learning

Our Philosophy

We believe that:

  • Every child is unique and deserves an education tailored to their individual needs
  • True learning arises from children being involved in meaningful, relevant experiences
  • Play and happiness are fundamental to children's learning and development
  • Strong partnerships between home and school are the foundation of every child's success
  • The personal and social needs of all children are paramount
  • Diversity is a strength that should be respected and celebrated
  • Excellence is achieved through the daily endeavour of our teachers and children working together

Our small campus is designed to foster these beliefs, creating an environment where visual harmony, purposeful learning and genuine care combine to support every child's journey.

Our7KeyValues (PDF)