IBDP Accessibility and Special Educational Needs Policy
Highland recognises and supports the IB philosophy of making the IB programme accessible to
the broadest possible range of students. While acknowledging the academic rigour of the IB
programme and the importance of encouraging students to pursue the full diploma, we commit
to minimizing barriers to student participation.
Application Process:
Our application process balances the principles of accessibility with need to ensure student
readiness and parental support. A variety of measures, including references, previous report
cards, a student essay incorporating the Learner Profile, a parental questionnaire, and, if
necessary, an interview, will guide student selection. All interested students shall be
encouraged to apply and all students with financial or special educational needs shall be
accommodated.
Prior to the application process, information regarding the IB programme shall be widely
disseminated and public meetings shall be advertised and held in order to reach the broadest
possible audience. Because there are no DP schools within a three hour drive of our district,
Highland will reach out to neighbouring districts in addition to our own. Our district’s thriving
international student programme will also be actively recruiting IB students from abroad.
Timetable and IB Course Selection:
Highland’s administration, in partnership with the IB committee, has developed a timetable
which allows for the required TOK, HL and SL hours and maximizes concurrency of learning. At
the same time, the timetable minimizes the impact on non-IB students and allows IB students
to access non-IB classes. Highland offers a wide variety of extracurricular clubs and sports in
addition to excellent music and drama options outside the timetable. In short, we have ensured
that all students at Highland have full access to curricular and non-curricular opportunities.
Highland’s DPC and IB teachers shall meet at the beginning of each school year to set timelines
for IA, Group 4 projects, EE and other demanding assessments in order not to overload
students and in order to minimize conflict with extra-curricular and other activities.
Highland’s initial IB course offerings have been carefully chosen to meet the needs of the
widest spectrum of learners. With the exception of the Group 2 language (French is the second
language of choice) we are offering two options in each group with a balance of SL and HL
courses to fit with IB requirements and to best suit the needs and interests of our potential IB
students. As the programme grows, we shall implement further course options. All necessary
counselling shall be provided in order that students make the most appropriate course
selections for their interests, aptitudes, and future goals.
We are fortunate in BC to have full recognition of IB coursework toward BC graduation
requirements. In addition, BC colleges and universities are very supportive of IB graduates.
Languages:
Although the majority of Comox Valley residents are English-speaking, Highland has been
fortunate to attract a large and growing international student population. Most of these
students do not speak English as a first language, although many are here with the explicit goal
of becoming fluent English speakers. For some of these students, English SL may be an
appropriate choice; for others a school-supported self-taught option would be better.
Obviously, we must strive to meet the needs of this diverse group of learners. Highland has
developed a School Language Policy to address these concerns.
Students with Special Educational Needs:
Highland’s school beliefs state that a “good school is one that is inclusive, recognises the
individual needs of students, and provides a variety of authentic learning opportunities.”
Highland’s IB teachers are committed to ensuring that the learning needs of SEN students are
met and have experience adapting their teaching and assessment procedures to maximize
student success.
Highland has an exceptional special education team dedicated to meeting the needs of a wide
variety of learners and working with the classroom teachers to achieve this end. Our special
education team employs a wide variety of strategies, including technology such as Kurzweil, to
address student needs and support teachers. The team has access to a variety of testing and
screening tools, as well as information from SEN students’ previous schools. Additionally,
Highland keeps full, up-to-date documentation on all its SEN students, available to staff serving
SEN students. Our school district employs a number of specialist professionals, including
psychologists and speech therapists. Highland is in the fortunate position to be able to address
the needs of prospective IB students who happen to need additional educational assistance.
Students with special education needs will be encouraged to apply for the IB programme and
shall be accepted provided they meet the criteria laid out in our application process. The school
will ensure that the needs of these students are met per the guidelines in the Candidates with
special assessment needs document and the Handbook of Procedures.
Highland’s DPC will ensure that documentation and registration of SEN students conform with
IB expectations and that “special arrangements” are authorised through IB Cardiff using the
D1/D2 application process. It should be noted that all such accommodations are currently
available for Highland students and that Highland’s staff is experienced in meeting the range of
SENs listed in the Candidates with special assessment needs document:

Diagnosed learning, language and communications disorders

Emotional and behavioural issues

Physical and sensory challenges

Medical conditions, including mental health issues
We understand and endorse the principle that any assistance tendered to students through the
SEN process is not intended to “compensate for lack of ability.” We also recognise that it is our
responsibility to determine whether accommodations can be made for individual candidates
and that all such accommodations must be in agreement with IB policy. We appreciate that
applications for special arrangements have specific requirements and may need appropriate
supporting documentation. We shall ensure that all special arrangements comply with Section 4
of the Candidates with special assessment needs document.