ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS
at The British School of Brussels
A guide for parents
INTRODUCTION
At The British School of Brussels (BSB), our commitment is to help all students flourish academically, socially, and emotionally. This guide explains our approach to Additional Educational Needs (AEN) and how we work with families to ensure each child receives the support they need from Early Years right through to post-16. We believe in working together so children feel welcomed, understood, and inspired to reach their full potential.
WHAT ARE ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS (AEN)?
Additional Educational Needs (AEN) at BSB refers to the extra or different support offered to students who might benefit from tailored help in their learning journey. This can include children who have specific learning differences, those who may need a boost with attention
or processing, as well as students who are working well above their age group and need further challenge. Our goal is to adjust teaching, support, and expectations so every student can access the curriculum and enjoy learning.
OUR INCLUSIVE ETHOS AND WHOLE-SCHOOL APPROACH
BSB is proud to be an inclusive learning community. Every child is encouraged to succeed, regardless of background, language, or learning profile. AEN is part of our wider culture of care, where
WHO CAN RECEIVE AEN SUPPORT?
AEN support at BSB is available for students who need something extra beyond what’s provided in regular classroom teaching. This includes children with learning differences, processing or attention difficulties, and others who face barriers to learning. We also support students with high learning potential, offering enrichment and extension activities to keep them challenged and engaged.
academic support is combined with strong relationships and a focus on wellbeing. Support is not separate or onesize-fits-all - it’s woven into daily school life and tailored to each student.
Students who are learning English as an Additional Language (EAL) can receive targeted language support, which often works alongside AEN. Because BSB welcomes families from many nationalities, our systems for language support and inclusion are well established and available at every stage of school life.
HOW WE IDENTIFY AND SUPPORT STUDENTS
In Primary, class teachers get to know each child and can request help from the Inclusion team if they believe a student may benefit from extra support. In Secondary, staff, parents, or the students themselves can let the AEN team know if a child would benefit from additional help. The team then works with families to understand each child’s needs and agree on a tailored plan.
BSB has access to specialist staff like educational psychologists, counsellors, speech and language therapists, and school nurses. These professionals may get involved to support assessments and help create the best support strategies. Once needs are identified, we work closely with families to share findings, agree on support, and set up regular reviews so progress can be monitored, and support can change as needed.
PRIMARY AEN AND INCLUSION
In Early Years and Primary, inclusion is part of everyday classroom practice. Teachers and Learning Assistants use a range of teaching methods and smallgroup work to help all children succeed. For students who need more specific help, the Inclusion team can provide targeted in-class support, short-term interventions, extension tasks, or guidance for at-home support.
For children learning English in Primary, we provide small-group language lessons,
in-class support, and activities like our EAL Lunch Club, which builds social language and confidence. Students arriving with little English in Years 3–6 can join a full immersion programme, receiving intensive language teaching in small mixed-age groups before gradually spending more time in their mainstream class.
High-achieving students are offered deeper and broader learning tasks, extra research projects, and enrichment opportunities.
SECONDARY AEN AND LEARNING SUPPORT
In Secondary, AEN provision is designed to help students access the full curriculum and develop key skills. Support may include timetabled small-group lessons in learning support (sometimes instead of a second foreign language), especially in Years 7–11. These lessons focus on literacy, numeracy, and study skills, and students may receive several sessions each week.
Additional help is available through inclass support, homework clubs, Learning Mentors, and study groups, depending on individual needs. At post-16, students with AEN work with Learning Mentors on personalised programmes alongside their A Level, IB, or BTEC studies. Progress is regularly reviewed with input from teachers, Heads of Year, the AEN team, and parents.
WORKING TOGETHER: AEN, EAL, AND PASTORAL CARE
AEN is closely linked with our wider student support and pastoral care systems. Academic help goes handin-hand with social and emotional support. In Secondary, tutors, Heads of Year, and the Access to Learning department work alongside AEN and EAL teams; in Primary, class teachers and inclusion leaders coordinate support. Specialist services like
HOW PARENTS ARE INVOLVED
At BSB, we see parents as partners in their child’s education.
We encourage families to share any existing reports, diagnoses, or information with the Admissions team as early as possible. This helps us understand your child’s needs and plan support from the very beginning.
counselling and speech and language therapy are available as needed, ensuring that all aspects of a child’s wellbeing are considered.
This joined-up approach helps students settle in quickly, feel part of the community, and receive the right support to thrive.
After any assessment, families meet with the school to discuss findings, agree on support, and decide how progress will be checked. Communication continues throughout your child’s time at BSB, so plans can be adapted as needs change. We are here to listen, support, and work together with you every step of the way.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
What does Additional Educational Needs (AEN) mean at BSB?
At The British School of Brussels, AEN refers to students who benefit from extra support due to learning differences, processing or attention difficulties, or other barriers. It also includes those who are working ahead of their age group and require further challenge. The purpose is to adapt teaching and support so every child can access the curriculum and thrive.
How is AEN different from English as an Additional Language (EAL)?
AEN focuses on how a child learns, whereas EAL relates to learning through English when it is not the child’s first language. A student may have needs in one or both areas. Both teams collaborate closely, as language development can influence learning progress.
How are students identified for AEN support?
Identification can come from teachers, parents, or the students themselves if concerns arise about progress, attention, organisation, or wellbeing. The AEN or Inclusion team will gather information, conduct assessments, and decide, together with the family, whether support is appropriate.
What types of AEN support are available in Primary?
Support in Primary starts in the classroom, with varied teaching approaches and smallgroup work. Where more help is needed, children may access targeted lessons, in-class assistance, extension activities, or specific EAL sessions, according to their individual needs.
What types of AEN support are available in Secondary?
In Secondary, support may include small-group lessons focusing on literacy, numeracy, study skills, organisation, and time management. Some students attend these instead of a second foreign language. Additional support may take the form of in-class help, homework clubs, or guidance from Learning Mentors.
How much support do students typically receive?
There is no fixed number of support hours. Each child’s programme is tailored to their needs and can change over time. Some Secondary students may have several lessons each week, while Primary pupils tend to have shorter, focused sessions that complement their classroom learning.
Will my child follow the full curriculum if they receive AEN support?
The school aims for all students with AEN to access as much of the mainstream curriculum as possible, adjusting when needed. In Secondary, students often continue to study French but may not take an additional foreign language to allow time for support sessions.
How are high-achieving or gifted students supported?
These students are offered extended learning opportunities, such as deeper and broader tasks, research projects, and enrichment activities. The focus is on encouraging advanced thinking, not simply moving ahead more quickly in the curriculum.
How does AEN link with wellbeing and pastoral care?
AEN provision is closely linked with pastoral care, ensuring that academic support goes hand-in-hand with social and emotional wellbeing. Teachers, tutors, Heads of Year, counsellors, and other specialists collaborate to ensure every student feels understood, cared for, and included.
Which specialist professionals are available at BSB?
BSB can access a range of specialists, including educational psychologists, speech and language therapists, counsellors, and nurses. These professionals help with assessments, offer recommendations, and may work directly with students as part of a coordinated support plan.
How does the school communicate with parents about AEN?
Parents are involved from the outset. After assessments, the school meets with families to discuss findings, agree on support plans, and set up regular reviews. Communication continues throughout the student’s time at BSB to ensure support remains appropriate as needs evolve.
What should parents share when considering joining BSB?
Prospective parents should provide any relevant reports, diagnoses, or concerns to the Admissions team as early as possible. This enables the school to determine how best to meet the child’s needs and to prepare suitable support from the beginning.
Can students with AEN participate in extracurricular activities?
Absolutely. All students, including those with AEN, are encouraged to take part in clubs, sports, and school events. Inclusion is central to BSB’s ethos, and adjustments are made to ensure every child can participate fully.
What happens if my child’s needs change over time?
Support plans are reviewed regularly and adapted as your child develops or if new challenges arise. We work closely with families to ensure provision remains relevant and effective.
Who should I contact if I have concerns about my child’s progress?
If you have any concerns, you can speak to your child’s class teacher, tutor, or contact the AEN or Inclusion team directly. The school encourages open communication and collaboration to support each child’s learning journey.
