The St. Andrews Advantage

How students are included in St. Andrews School

Akira students attend their core subjects (English, Math, EVS, Hindi / Telugu) in the Akira building (located within St. Andrews Marredpally Campus), with Akira's Special Educators.

However, they are considered a St. Andrews student and are included in the mainstream school in many ways.

Akira students:

• Wear the St. Andrews uniform.
• Attend extracurricular subjects (Games, Music, Computer and Library) in St. Andrews School, taught by St. Andrews teachers, once a day, along with St. Andrews students of the same age.
• Receive feedback on their progress in their extracurricular subjects by their St. Andrews teachers, given to the parents in the Term report cards.
• Are also integrated into the Sports houses and participate in sports functions.
• School timings as well as many policies and procedures, are the same as St. Andrews School.
• Attend St. Andrews morning assemblies.
• Are given opportunities to attend and take part in St. Andrews extracurriclar events and functions.

How does this help?

• Children feel less stigma aroud their difficulties as they are handled like a St. Andrews student who simply has their core classes in a particular block of the school. This is an important part of the ethos of Akira as integration and inclusion is of utmost importance.
• By wearing the same uniform, they are able to mingle with St. Andrews students without feeling any indifference.
• By attending Games, Music, Computer and Library classes along with other St. Andrews students, they are exposed to age appropraite socialization, have more opportunities to make friends and learn the correct behaviours required to adapt in larger group settings.

Joining St. Andrews after Akira

After Akira, parents are given the option of mainstreaming their child in St. Andrews School. As the child already identifies as a St. Andrews student, they are able to:

• Acclimatise to the mainstream environment with greater ease.
• Be in an environment in which they have already made friends.
• Work with St. Andrews teachers who have already met and understood the child.

St. Andrews Teachers have also undergone awareness training conducted by Madras Dyslexia Association and Akira management to help them understand how best to support Akira students after joining St. Andrews.

D.S.E.

Students joining St. Andrews school are also able to continue Special Education services through the St. Andrews Department of Supportive Education (D.S.E.).

• D.S.E. is St. Andrews School's Special Education division. Our well equipped Special Educators work in a smiliar style to Akira teachers.
• Akira students, after joining St. Andrews School, will receive D.S.E. services in which our Special Educators will help build skills in the child's areas of need.
• D.S.E. staff will coordinate with the child's mainstream teachers to track their progress.
• D.S.E. Special Educators will be available to meet parents fortnightly to guide them in a Home Based Program to empower the parent.