IB PYP Learning Support Teachers

The International School of Helsinki (ISH) is a vibrant, inclusive, and non-profit learning community offering education to students aged 4 to 18 through the International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum. Located in Finland’s capital, ISH fosters a global mindset and prepares students for the complexities of the modern world. Our community includes over 100 staff members and nearly 500 students representing diverse cultures and nationalities.

Are you a dedicated and experienced Learning Support Teacher? We seek a passionate and experienced Primary Years (PYP) Learning Support Teacher to join our team. This role is pivotal in promoting equity, inclusion, and access to the curriculum for all learners, and in ensuring alignment with IB principles. This is a full-time, permanent position within our dynamic IB World School, where student well-being is at the heart of our educational philosophy.

Are you a champion of inclusion and access to learning? At ISH, the Learning Support Teacher is critical in ensuring all students can meaningfully engage with the curriculum and foster inclusive practices that empower every learner. This position involves close collaboration with teachers, parents, students, and the Student Support Team (SST) to provide differentiated and individualized instruction that reflects the IBs access and inclusion policies.

Key Responsibilities Include:
1. Targeted Teaching and Support
– Develop, implement, and monitor Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) that are aligned with IB access and inclusion policies.
– Provide direct, individualized instruction to students, aligning teaching with IB learning goals and assessment criteria.
– Adapt curriculum content and assessments to meet diverse learning needs, ensuring every student can fully engage with the IB curriculum.
– Use data-driven strategies to monitor progress and refine learning plans.
– Work with external specialists and local agencies to support holistic and inclusive learning experiences.
– Actively maintain a culture of vigilance to identify any changes in student well-being, reporting all concerns promptly in line with school safeguarding procedures.

2. In-Class Support and Co-Teaching
– Collaborate with teachers to design and deliver inclusive lessons, incorporating inquiry-based and transdisciplinary strategies.
– Implement co-teaching models to support curriculum access for all students.
– Promote self-advocacy and learner agency to empower students and foster independence.

What We Offer
This role provides significant opportunities for professional growth and collaboration within a vibrant and progressive international learning community. ISH is welcoming, with a faculty committed to innovative and reflective teaching practices. The school offers competitive compensation, professional development opportunities, and a supportive work environment that emphasizes inclusion, wellbeing, and autonomy, and where diverse perspectives are celebrated.

Qualifications
– Education: Qualification as a Learning Support Specialist / Special Education Teacher in Finland. For qualifications obtained outside Finland, recognition by the Finnish National Agency for Education is required.
– Experience: 5–10 years of experience in Learning Support, Special Education Needs (SEN), or Inclusion roles.
– Certifications: SENCO or equivalent qualifications are highly advantageous.
– Skills: Expertise in IB-aligned inclusive practices, differentiated teaching strategies, and curriculum adaptation.
– Language: Proficiency in English (CEFR Level C1 or higher); additional regional languages are a plus.

Child Protection & Safeguarding
ISH is committed to the highest standards of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Successful candidates will be asked to sign the schools Child Safeguarding Code of Conduct, and will need to pass background checks, including police clearance and reference verification.

How to Apply
Please submit the following to employment@ishelsinki.fi:
– A letter of application explaining your suitability for the role and alignment with ISHs values and IB inclusion principles.
– A current CV.

Start Date
– August 5, 2026

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Statement of Anti-Discrimination
At ISH, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. We actively promote Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) and ensure equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of gender, ethnicity, nationality, age, physical abilities, sexual orientation, or beliefs.

For all positions, a criminal record check as required in § 3 Law of working with children, must be presented by the applicant chosen for the position.

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