Inclusion and Learning Support
Empowering Every Learner to Thrive
At American Gulf School (AGS), we believe that inclusion is at the heart of meaningful education. Every learner deserves to feel safe, valued, supported, and empowered to succeed within a nurturing and inclusive school community. Our Inclusion and Learning Support Department provides individualized, evidence-based support for learners who may require additional academic, social-emotional, communication, behavioral, or sensory support to access learning successfully. As an American IB Continuum School, AGS embraces diversity and recognizes that every learner develops at their own pace and through their own strengths.
The department is led by the Head of Inclusion in collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team and the Head of Student Support Services. Inclusion Specialists are assigned across KG, Lower PYP, Upper PYP, MYP/ Secondary to ensure students receive age-appropriate and developmentally responsive support throughout their school journey.
A Tiered Approach to Support
AGS follows a structured tiered support model designed to provide varying levels of intervention based on learner needs.
Tier 1 – Classroom Support
Tier 1 support is embedded within the classroom through differentiated instruction, accommodations, visual supports, scaffolding, and inclusive teaching strategies. Teachers work collaboratively with Inclusion Specialists to ensure learners can access the curriculum successfully within the mainstream classroom environment.
Tier 2 – Targeted Intervention
Tier 2 learners may receive short-term or small-group intervention - majority push-in support in areas such as:
- Reading and phonics
- Writing structure
- Mathematics foundations
- Executive functioning
- Attention and focus
- Social communication
Tier 3 – Intensive Individualized Support
Tier 3 learners receive more individualized support and may require an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP), personalized accommodations, structured intervention sessions, and in some cases, a dedicated 1:1 Learning Support Assistant (LSA). Learners receiving Tier 3 support are regularly monitored through holistic reviews, progress tracking, classroom observations, and collaboration with families and external specialists when applicable.
Push-In and Pull-Out Intervention
The Inclusion Department uses a combination of push-in and pull-out intervention support depending on student needs.
Push-In Support
Push-in support takes place within the classroom environment, allowing learners to access the curriculum alongside their peers while receiving targeted support, accommodations, and scaffolding in real time.
Pull-Out Intervention
Some learners benefit from structured intervention sessions outside the classroom to focus intensively on specific skill development areas such as:
- Literacy
- Reading comprehension
- Writing skills
- Mathematics
- Executive functioning
- Emotional regulation
- Fine motor development
Intervention sessions may occur through small groups or 1:1 instruction depending on the learner profile and targeted outcomes.
Evidence-Based Intervention Approaches
AGS utilizes evidence-based intervention programmes and multisensory teaching approaches to support learners with diverse educational profiles.
SNIP Literacy Programme
SNIP is a structured literacy intervention that supports learners with reading, spelling, phonics, and decoding difficulties through sequential and targeted instruction.
Fountas and Pinnell Guided Reading
This guided reading approach supports reading fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, and confidence through leveled reading instruction tailored to each learner’s ability.
Handwriting Without Tears
This multisensory programme supports handwriting development, fine motor coordination, pencil control, and written expression through structured and engaging activities.
Our interventions are designed to be individualized, measurable, and responsive to learner progress and needs.
A Multisensory and Holistic Approach
At AGS, we recognize that students learn in different ways. Our Inclusion Department uses multisensory teaching strategies that incorporate:
- Visual supports
- Interactive learning
- Movement-based activities
- Structured routines
- Sensory-informed strategies
- Hands-on learning experiences
Where appropriate, recommendations from external specialists such as speech therapists, occupational therapists, or psychologists may also be integrated into the school environment to support consistency between home, therapy, and school.
Students receiving intensive support may also have:
- Student passports and learner profiles
- Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs)
- Sensory and regulation supports
- Tailored accommodations and modifications
The department works collaboratively with teachers, families, and external professionals to ensure learners receive holistic and meaningful support throughout their educational journey.
Early Years and Early Intervention
In KG and Early Years, the focus is on early identification and early intervention through a nurturing, play-based, and developmentally appropriate approach.
Young learners may receive support through:
- Play-based intervention
- Communication development
- Social-emotional support
- Early literacy and numeracy intervention
- Small-group instruction
- 1:1 targeted support
Early intervention helps build strong foundational skills while supporting confidence, communication, independence, and school readiness.
Inclusion Across the IB Continuum
Inclusion support is embedded across the IB continuum at AGS, allowing learners to access inquiry-based and student-centered learning experiences in meaningful ways.
Students are encouraged to demonstrate learning through creativity, collaboration, communication, and project-based experiences. Learners may engage in activities such as storybook creation, presentations, hands-on inquiry projects, and structured collaborative tasks that build organizational skills, confidence, and independence.
The Inclusion and Learning Support team meets regularly to review student progress, intervention strategies, accommodations, and inclusive practices to ensure support remains responsive and effective.
At AGS, we are committed to creating an inclusive learning environment where every learner is respected, supported, and empowered to achieve success academically, socially, and emotionally.