Learning Difficulties
We try to organize our classes so that children with learning difficulties can be supported and all the children can be helped to develop and extend their abilities and confidence. Cooperation will always be sought from parents to help a child overcome any difficulties he/she may have. The teachers meet regularly to identify needs and plan a programme of support. Where necessary, individual education plans are created for children encountering difficulties. These are reviewed with the parents each term. We do employ the assistance of qualified ‘Special Needs’ teachers.
Remedial Classes
Each year, Links endeavours to provide additional support for students in key subjects. We run remedial English, Urdu and Mathematics classes after school hours. In the Lower Primary Section, we employ trained remedial teachers who specialise in helping children with learning difficulties.
Record Keeping & Assessments
All children entering the school are given a baseline assessment. Records are kept at the school of each child’s learning and achievements. The records show the child’s progress in all National Curriculum areas as well as providing observations about their general development.
Assessments / Tests / Examinations
Children are assessed regularly in school by marking their class work and giving them regular written and oral feedback. School assessment includes end of topic tests and (class 4 onwards) examinations. Where a child is absent for an end of topic test, it will not be administered to him on his return to school. Average marks are calculated at the end of term in case of missed tests only if certified medical proof is provided and approved by the administration / principal.
Pupils who miss an exam, may not retake it at a later date. If a student misses the final examination, term grades are taken into consideration for promotion to the next class. In the event that term grades are not consistent, a child may be asked to repeat the class the following year. If a student has to repeat a class for 2 consecutive years, the school expulsion policy will be applied.
Monitoring of Standards
We maintain a system at the school whereby every month we monitor the standards of our student’s work. This involves the Head Teachers, Coordinators and Subject Teachers looking carefully at planning, attainment targets and the children’s work. As we are affiliated with COBIS (Council of British International Schools) we are also constantly preparing for an official inspection by education inspectors from Ofstead U.K. Safety, Hygiene and other aspects of school life are closely monitored.
SAT Tests
National Curriculum SAT tests are administered through the U.K Qualifications and Curriculum Authority in May for 7 & 11 year olds. These Standard Assessment tests cover reading, writing, spelling, math and science. SAT tests provide children with internationally recognized results and levels of achievement. They indicate the intellectual level that the child has reached in each skill. These tests are optional for class 2 & 6 students. As SAT Test do not reach Karachi till end of May / early June from QCA. It is up to parents to decide if they would like their children to be evaluated.
Reports
Half-term reports are given out in December and Final reports are given out in May of each year. Reports will not be issued before end of the term.
Tutor Period
Once a week, the children have a tutor period. During this session, they focus on important personal skills and discuss significant social and community issues and will reflect on their own strengths and weaknesses as learners. They also use this period to prepare for morning assembly presentations.
School Counselling
Our trained counselor can provide support for students who have problems with anger or who exhibit inappropriate behavior with their peers. Students who appear to have difficulty making friends or integrating with their peers, bullying or being bullied, and those with self-motivation and self esteem issues or those under-performing at school can be counselled. Managing stress especially during examinations, concentration in class, time management for studies and being organized for home or class work are all dealt with.
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