ISZN celebrated Neurodiversity Week with activities across Primary and Secondary, while highlighting that this is an approach that continues throughout the year.

At ISZN, neurodiversity includes everyone. Each student brings a different way of thinking and learning, and these differences are recognised and respected across the school.

Lynn van Stee, Head of Student Support, explained: “Our central message to students is that we are all part of neurodiversity. Each of us is uniquely wired and understanding that helps students better understand themselves and others.”

Neurodiversity in Primary and Secondary at ISZN

During the week, students across the school engaged in activities designed to explore and understand neurodiversity.

In Secondary school classes, students watched a video that used biodiversity as an analogy to explain neurodiversity, showing that all brains are different. This formed the basis for a Friday assembly and follow-up discussions in students’ homerooms, where the classes reflected on how neurodiversity shaped their experience in school and beyond.

In Primary, teachers introduced the topic through storybooks featuring neurodivergent characters. Those readings opened up age-appropriate conversations in the classroom.

Part of everyday learning

The week connected to a wider approach already in place at ISZN.

Students engage with ideas such as there being different types of strengths, the concept of emotional regulation, and understanding how they are “uniquely wired.” These themes are embedded across lessons, including those in Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) classes.

In PSHE, students explore personal development – including identity, self-awareness, and emotional wellbeing. They also build social skills such as communication, relationships, and respect for others. The programme includes health education, covering physical and mental health, as well as lifestyle choices, and introduces economic understanding, including financial literacy and future planning.

Extending to families

As part of this year’s focus, ISZN is also offering a parent workshop led by Kelly Brändli, a nurse, parent, and ADHD coach, who supports families through her work at Sinaps.

The workshop, Supporting Your Child’s Focus, Emotions and Learning, will provide practical strategies for parents supporting children with attention differences, emotional regulation challenges, social stress, or inconsistent academic performance.

Kelly Brändli will share approaches that help reduce stress, bring more structure at home, and support children in building confidence and resilience.

The session is open to all families, including those supporting children with and without a formal diagnosis.

Event details:

Date: Wednesday, April 15
Time: 16:00–17:30
Location: ISZN

Parents can register here: 
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=gtzSBu1vO02SGDfTT7BAW-Yhe6VzE59MvZmHf5KutpNUQkQ2RVpORFNHT0JLTEc4WlM1UUxLNkEwUC4u

Neurodiversity Week highlighted an approach that continues throughout the school year. At ISZN, this work remains an important part of daily teaching and learning.