The Main Objectives

• To help students access the mainstream curriculum.
• Identify as early as possible any students who require differentiated support in their physical, sensory, social, emotional cognitive or communicative development.
• Ensure that students are fully included in class activities and given the appropriate support in order to promote their highest level of achievement.
• To identify students’ learning styles to maximise their potential.
• Involve teachers, parents and outside agencies, thus creating a partnership of support.
• Maintain a positive, respectful and professional attitude with the highest level of confidentiality.

Identification Process

Identification of student learning needs or special strengths is carried out as part of the Admissions process and continues throughout the student’s life at School.

Assessment Instruments

The Learning Support Department analyses information in the Student Record and uses selected assessment instruments (diagnostic-tests, exams, surveys, benchmarks, standardised tests, observations, statistic results, mocks, IGCSE results, IB results, mid-term and end-term exams) and meetings to gather additional information.

These assessment instruments help the School to make informed decisions for individual students and groups and to plan the appropriate differentiated support or needs.

The School’s well-stocked Library Resource Centres are staffed by qualified Librarians and open to the whole School educational community including; parents and alumni.

OPAC (Online Public Access Catalogue). This online catalogue provides electronic access to all material held in both the Junior and Senior Library catalogues. It has a range of features including; Search, Reserve, View Loans Records and Post a Book Review. Users can connect directly to website links and search for/connect to specific online resources. There are also links to videos, audio files and electronic documents stored on the School’s database. Other features include ordering books, stock control, and tracking overdue items. Onsite and “remote” access is available from the Junior and Senior Library portals via links on the School’s institutional website and/or intranet portal “Ecademicus”.

Early Years Library (located in the Early Years Centre)

The Early Years Library is an inviting and interesting place that forms an important part of life in Kinder and Prep. Well known classic fairy tales and books by modern authors are introduced (both in English and Spanish). As the students begin to choose books to take home they are encouraged to act responsibly by taking care of the books and returning them to School on time.

Junior Library Resource Centre (Located on the 1st Floor in the main Junior building)

Click image to link to
the Junior Library webpage

The Junior Library has a vast collection of fiction and non-fiction book titles and magazines to choose from. All items are listed on the School’s online catalogue OPAC. There is filtered Wi-Fi access and a well-equipped IT suite for use by students and staff, including class instruction. In addition to coming to the Library on a weekly timetabled basis, students also use the Library during break times and other opportunities to look for books or use the computers, complete work, carry out research, or play board games. 

The Junior Library hosts a variety of activities both inside the Library and around the School in Junior. These activities include; storytelling, library skills learning, research, student book reviews, author visits, treasure hunts, games, cakes and crafts, reading chains, plays, book fairs, and “Voices” - a student-centred magazine with several editions issued throughout the academic year. Current and past editions of Voices can be viewed on the Junior Library portal.

Senior Library Resource Centre (Located on the 1st Floor in the Senior building)

Click image to link to
the Senior Library webpage

The A.J.Hobson Library in Senior is a 200m2 resource centre. In addition to the extensive collection of over 28,000 fiction and non-fiction book titles and resources listed on the School’s online catalogue OPAC, there is much more for users to explore through subscriptions to digital information and databases. The Library has filtered Wi-Fi access and an electronic tag and barcode system for processing loans. There is an open-plan area with work spaces, a loans desk, and silent reading room.

The Physical Education curriculum at The British Schools begins in Kindergarten and extends through to 4th Year Liceo. The programme of activities is age appropriate, with an additional focus on values formation. The extensive Physical Education programme benefits from a wide range of extra-curricular activities that enable each student to develop their full individual potential. The P.E. Department works closely with the School’s Pastoral Team to help students develop a sense of commitment to fair play and a respect for others through positive sporting experiences. Sporting tours are organised throughout the year to enrich the curriculum.

The curriculum design and delivery is consistent with the School’s Mission Statement and offers students a wide variety of activities. The teaching staff implements the curriculum through a range of approaches and teaching strategies that recognise diverse learning styles enabling each student to develop their full individual potential.  

Physical education provides learners with a platform from which they can build physical competences, improve aspects of fitness, and develop personal and interpersonal skills and attributes. It enables learners to develop the concepts and skills necessary for participation in a wide range of physical activity, sport, dance and outdoor learning, and enhances their physical wellbeing in preparation for leading a fulfilling, active and healthy lifestyle.

The Physical Education curriculum is compulsory for all students. This is supported by after School practices where student participation is voluntary.

The British Schools is committed to providing the educational environment and infrastructure to help students achieve excellence according to their potential in academics, arts, and sports, while recognising individual differences and needs. The purpose of the taught curriculum is to encourage students to become successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors, and responsible citizens – as defined in the attributes of the IB Learner Profile.
"Education is a journey, not a destination." Emerson

Senior Learning Programmes

All courses within the Senior curriculum ultimately lead to either the National or the International Baccalaureate. While the Liceo Programme is in itself a very exacting course of studies, attending to our international perspective the School also offers the International Baccalaureate, having the honour of being one of the original founding schools in the 1970s to do so. In preparation for the IB Programme, The British Schools also follows the IGCSE programmes produced by The Cambridge Universities Syndicate. Together, our graduates receive the best Uruguayan education possible with the clear option to study abroad if desired. While it is mandatory for all students to follow the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, it is not however a general requirement for foreign students to follow the National Baccalaureate. These core requirements give the School an opportunity to develop a more interesting and challenging curriculum in addition to those elements already included within the traditional, compulsory, programme.    

The IGCSE and IB Diploma results are carefully analysed to look for internal trends and to compare our own standing with International Benchmarks, the results of which are presented to the Board as a formal Report. This type of analysis assists in identifying individual student learning needs which are then discussed with the Pastoral Team who subsequently plan and implement appropriate strategies.