The UK National Curriculum

The National Curriculum from England provides the basis for our formal curriculum at Key Stage 1-3, which is modified and tailored to each individual student. The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of all students in each group. Work is suitably differentiated by the teachers to ensure appropriate teaching for all student abilities. This is a strong feature of the National Curriculum.

Full details of the English National Curriculum may be found at: http://curriculum.qca.org.uk/

Individual Education Plan (IEP)

Alongside the National Curriculum each student has an individual education plan (IEP). The IEP is tailored to the individual student’s needs as identified by the IEP evaluation process, this helps teachers understand the student’s difficulties and how they affect the learning process.

The IEP describes how the student learns, how the student best demonstrates that learning and what teachers can do to help the student learn more effectively.

Key considerations in developing the IEP include assessing students in all areas related to the known difficulties, simultaneously considering ability to access the general curriculum, considering how the difficulties affect the student’s learning, developing goals and objectives that correspond to the needs of the student, and ultimately choosing a placement in the least restrictive environment possible for the student.

The IEP’s are regularly maintained and updated over the year and is meant to ensure that students are able to participate in all areas of the curriculum. We extend an invitation for all parents to discuss and collaborate in making SMART targets for their child at the beginning of each term.

Specialist Programmes

Alongside the core curriculum we provide each student with individual programmes to support their unique profiles. Additional support programmes include:

• Dyslexia Institute Literacy Programme (DILP)
• Orton Gillingham Literacy Programme (OG)
• Units of Sound (UoS)
• Stare way to Spelling
• Stride Ahead Comprehension
• Toe-by-Toe Phonics Programme
• Specialist speech and language programmes
• Counseling
• Occupational Therapy

The Village is an accredited ASDAN programme provider. We currently run programmes in PSHE, social skills, work right and numeracy and literacy. The students who undertake these courses can progress and gain qualifications from Entry 1 – Level 2. For more information please go to;

http://www.asdan.org.uk/

ASDAN is a charitable social enterprise with awarding body status, providing courses to more than 6,000 schools, colleges, training providers and youth centres across the UK and beyond. ASDAN’s programmes and qualifications offer flexible ways to accredit personal and social education, skills development and enrichment activities, mainly for the 11-25 age groups.

General Education Development (GED)

What is a GED?

The initials GED stand for General Educational Development. The GED certificate is the equivalent to a high school diploma. In Thailand the GED credential is accepted by the Ministry of Education as a high school certificate comparable to Mathayom 6 which can be used for entry to college and university. Universities that accept the GED certificate include Mahidol University, Bangkok University, Thammasat University and Assumption University (ABAC).

The GED exam measures how well someone has mastered the skills and general knowledge that are acquired in a four-year high school education. The exam does not expect someone to remember numerous details, definitions, or facts. You are expected to demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate a variety of issues. You are expected to demonstrate the knowledge and skills you have acquired from life experiences at school, from radio; television, books, newspapers, consumer products, and advertising.

The GED exam has changed periodically to keep up with the knowledge and skills required of our society. The last change was in January 2002. The changes reflect what a high school graduate in 2002 knows and can do. The GED exam in use today is the January 2002 version.

You must have a minimum of  9th grade reading level. This means that you have the ability to read and understand newspapers, forms, and letters. You must also have the ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide by hand. Developing strong reading and thinking skills are key to succeeding on these tests.

International General Certificate Secondary Education

What is the IGCSE?

International General Certificate of Secondary Education or IGCSE are UK based exams developed by University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE).

Another examination board, Edexcel, also has its own version known as Edexcel IGCSE which is offered in some international schools here in Thailand.

IGCSE Exams are offered every May-June and October-November by Cambridge International Examinations, University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate and can be taken at British Council Thailand.

The IGCSE is a balanced international curriculum which is designed to encourage high academic standards through a practical approach to teaching and learning.

The IGCSE exams are also designed to take account of differing abilities of students; there is a choice between Core and Extended in most subjects. This allows students the option to choose a level that is most applicable to their needs.

Successful candidates receive a certificate which is internationally recognised as equivalent in standard to the British GCSE and international GCE ‘O’ level examinations.

Candidates wishing to enter British Universities are normally required to have 2 or 3 “A” level subjects in addition to 5 IGCSE passes. However, it is strongly advised to check the entrance requirements of each university individually.

Why should I consider IGCSE?

IGCSE’s are UK based exams, If you receive grade C or above in five IGCSE’s (two of which must be Maths and English) you will have the equivalence of Mathayom 6.  IGCSE’s are accepted by the Ministry of Education as High school certificates that can be used for college and university entry here in Thailand.

For more information on IGCSE’s please contact The Village.

Extra Curriculum Activities

Provide a platform for the students to develop life experience and participate in activities that are catered to their unique requirements. Activities include;

Horse Therapy

The Village Centre offers ‘Horse Therapy’, this is in collaboration with an equestrian therapist.This therapy has shown increased benefits for all children with special educational needs, particularly those with autism and social communication difficulties.

Benefits include; self esteem, communication language, and developing relationships.

The programme was devised by a certified therapist, who has had vast experience working with a range of special needs and has researched the benefits that equestrian therapy provides. The programme is delivered by qualified and dedicated staff at the Garden City Polo Club.  The programme encourages the children to develop a relationship with the horse, become responsible for their horse and develop independence.

Drama

Drama activities naturally model behavior and offer the chance for individuals to learn a variety of skills, to examine new ideas and concepts in a controlled setting. Individuals develop social skills by exploring realistic scenarios. This provides a platform for people of all ages to learn appropriate responses in certain social interactions, a chance for individuals to witness reactions of inappropriate responses and in effect rehearse scenarios for real life through role-play and improvisation in a safe and comfortable environment.

Drama activities allow all these areas of development to be explored and developed in a fun, safe and controlled environment working towards realistic and positive outcomes.  Drama also opens up the mind to a range of opportunities to learn various trades associated with the theatre such as lighting, sound, stage management, set design, costume designs. Drama has the ability to expand imagination, develop the way we think, move and talk exploring skills which can be implemented into everyday life and future choices.

Saturday Club

Every Saturday mornings (9.00 – 12.00) during term time, we run a Social Skills/ Life Skills Programme for children with special needs.  

Saturday Club activities include:

• social skills, eg looking at how to work with other people, how to get along with others, how to behave appropriately in different situations,
• life skills, such as managing money, catching the BTS, taking responsibility for personal hygiene, eating healthily and making choices about food, shopping, preparing food, eating a meal together and clearing up afterwards.
• creative activities (e.g. art, papier-mâché, painting, etc),

Our native English-speaking speech therapist integrates a group language and communication session at the Saturday Club, and is also available to conduct individual speech therapy sessions with children attending the Club.