Start with our international schools in Amsterdam directory for the full list by curriculum and stage, then use this page to narrow to schools that openly document learning support. The schools below each describe a learning support or inclusion model in their own published material, which is the minimum we look for before naming a school on an SEN shortlist. This is a shortlist to research with each school, not a ranking, because the right answer depends entirely on the individual need.
If cost is also a concern, read it alongside our shortlist of the most affordable international schools in Amsterdam and the school finder, which can filter the directory to your child's stage and curriculum.
Schools with documented learning support
International School of Amsterdam
The International School of Amsterdam, in Amstelveen, is a large IB World School that maintains a documented special needs and learning support profile covering the range of provision it can offer within a mainstream IB setting. Its scale means a learning support team and coordinators across the primary, middle and diploma years, which helps when a child's need spans more than one stage. As with all mainstream schools, share full reports early so ISA can judge whether the need fits.
The British School of Amsterdam
The British School of Amsterdam publishes a learning support policy that sets out how it identifies need, the graduated in-class and small-group support it provides, and the role of its learning support coordinator. That documented, English National Curriculum approach, modelled on the SEND framework British families recognise, makes it a clear starting point for parents who want provision described in writing before they apply.
Amsterdam International Community School
The Amsterdam International Community School is a publicly subsidised international school offering primary and secondary education, and its remit includes inclusion support and provision beyond the standard mainstream classroom. Because it sits in the state-supported DUO stream, support is delivered within a regulated public framework rather than at full private cost, though, as everywhere, capacity is finite and eligibility and timing matter. Confirm exactly what it can offer for your child's profile.
How SEN works in Amsterdam international schools
Two features of the Dutch system shape what you will find. First, mainstream international schools in Amsterdam are built for mild to moderate needs that can be met within a regular class, dyslexia, attention and processing differences, English as an additional language, mild social and emotional needs, through differentiation, small-group teaching and a learning support or inclusion coordinator. Second, the Netherlands also runs dedicated special schools, the speciaal onderwijs, for children whose needs cannot be met in a mainstream setting, but most of these teach in Dutch, which limits them for many expat families. The practical consequence is that you should treat every international school's SEN offer as a question to test, not a promise, and be candid in return: a school can only build the right support if it has the full assessment history before a place is offered.
Match your child to the right Amsterdam school
Tell us your child's stage, curriculum and support needs and the school finder returns a matched Amsterdam shortlist to approach directly.
Start the school finderApplying and next steps
Apply directly to each school and share every report, diagnosis and record of prior provision at the outset, because places for children with documented needs are limited and a school can only say yes responsibly when it sees the whole picture. Ask each school three concrete questions: what support is included within the fees, what would be charged separately or arranged privately, such as a dedicated teaching assistant, and what it would not be able to support. Budget for any extra alongside tuition, our guide to international school fees in Amsterdam sets out the underlying bands, and keep a second option open in case the first school cannot meet the need. For the wider stage picture, see our Amsterdam secondary schools guide.
Common questions
Many do, but capacity varies and it is not a guarantee of a place. The International School of Amsterdam, the British School of Amsterdam and the Amsterdam International Community School each document learning support provision. Provision is usually aimed at mild to moderate needs that can be met within a mainstream setting, so share full reports with a school before you apply.
Mainstream international schools typically offer in-class differentiation, small-group or one-to-one learning support, English as an additional language help, and a learning support or inclusion coordinator. The British School of Amsterdam publishes a learning support policy setting out this model. Deeper or specialist needs may require a teaching assistant the family funds, or a Dutch special school.
Yes. The Dutch system has dedicated special schools, known as speciaal onderwijs, for children whose needs cannot be met in a mainstream setting, though most teach in Dutch. International schools focus on mild to moderate needs within mainstream classes, so for severe needs ask each school candidly what it can and cannot support.
Sometimes. Many international schools in the Netherlands provide a level of learning support within their fees, but additional one-to-one help, such as a dedicated teaching assistant, is often charged separately or arranged privately. Ask each school exactly what is included before you commit, and budget for any extra alongside tuition.
Apply directly to the school and share all assessments, reports and prior provision early so it can judge honestly whether it can meet the need. Places for children with documented needs are limited, so apply well ahead and have a second option. Our school finder can shortlist Amsterdam schools that match your child's stage and curriculum.