Student Support Services

At the International School of Berne, we place great importance on the uniqueness of each child, and our team is dedicated to providing proactive, holistic student support that is caring, inclusive, and individualized. We are committed to providing a programme that is accessible to all of our students and supports those students who need it to achieve their very best.

Working in conjunction with our class teachers, we utilize additional professional expertise to address and support the socio-emotional and academic needs of every student. The team consists of professionals in Counseling, English as a School Language, and Learning Support. We believe that students need to feel safe, secure, and comfortable in their environment to maximize their potential as learners.

For more information about ISBerne’s requirements and the assessment procedure for new students, please get in touch with Admissions.

English as a School Language

English is the medium of instruction at ISBerne. However, many of our students arrive at ISBerne with non-existent or low levels of English. Therefore, we offer these students a specialized English as a School language (ESL) support programme. They meet with the ESL specialist during the lesson scheduled for German or French.

New students wanting to join our school may be asked to demonstrate their English language proficiency level to meet the requirements for each grade.

There is no additional fee for the ESL support programme, and it is included in our school’s tuition fees.

Learning Support

ISBerne is an inclusive community and we pride ourselves on being able to support students with mild to low-moderate learning needs. Classroom and subject teachers are sensitive to the needs of individual students and differentiate work accordingly.

If further support is required, teachers will work closely with the learning support teacher to enable students to reach their potential. In addition, learning strategies lessons, or interventions can be provided for individuals and small groups. With a highly qualified and experienced Learning Support teacher, we are dedicated to offering children the necessary tools and resources to maximise their learning potential.

A certain level of learning support is included in ISBerne’s tuition fees.

Counseling and Wellbeing

At ISBerne, students are treated respectfully in safe and secure educational settings to maximize their learning potential. We have a fully qualified and highly experienced Counselor on campus, trained to support students with behavioral, social, or emotional needs that affect their ability to operate successfully in school.

Our team also has a collaborative approach to referrals and consultations with community mental health services. In addition, we actively monitor and respond in cases of emotional needs and have a rigorous Child Protection Policy to ensure each child’s physical and psychological safety.

ISBerne is perfect; everything works well!

Our child enjoys ISBerne very much and feels comfortable at the school.

The International Baccalaureate teachers give above and beyond the level of excellent support for IB students with help during breaks and may extra hours to seek support and help. My child’s teachers have worked hard to help my child succeed.

Having joined less than a year ago, my child is happy to go to school every day and is making great progress academically, showing greater confidence and skills development.

I love the reasoned judgments inculcated in my child, and the ethical values taught in tandem with the general academics.

It is the teachers at ISBerne that make the school. They are fantastic.

The teachers are very easily reached at break times and via email to provide feedback on assignments. They have been an incredible support system!

The teachers are passionate about their subjects and really focus on the children’s individual learning.

We appreciate ISBerne’s unique qualities – such as its small size, the interaction between classes and year groups, the attention to a holistic inquisitive approach to learning.

We are very pleased with the teachers in our son’s Diploma Program. The teachers are very committed to improving our son’s academic progress.

My child is really enjoying the school. I think the Middle Years’ Program brings students out of the “child stage” and into the “teenager stage” quite well.

ISBerne is truly international and yet homey.

The teachers at ISBerne are amazing. My children have been very lucky to have experienced so many teachers over the last four years.

The writing skills of my Kindergarten student improved amazingly!

Very enthusiastic and patient team which is important for a young and growing mind.

ISBerne encourages children to think and challenge and not just accept.

The teachers have quite a challenging task to balance so many different learning needs on a daily basis, and they seem to do it with ease.

My daughter loves school, and I have not once heard her complain about school and the environment. She has NEVER encountered bullying or disruptive behavior in class.

My kids love going to school – That’s what matters!