We celebrate the fact that some of our young people speak more than one language and acknowledge their ability to use a variety of community languages.
In our school the teaching and learning, achievements, attitudes and well-being of all students are important. We encourage all students to achieve the highest possible standards. We do this through taking account of each child’s life experiences and needs.
Some of our students have particular learning and assessment requirements, which are linked to their progress in learning English as an additional language. Students who are learning English as an additional language have skills and knowledge about language similar to monolingual English-speaking students. Their ability to participate in the full curriculum may be in advance of their communicative skills in English.
We promote the principles of fairness and justice for all through the diverse education that we provide in our school.
The aim of our policy is to help ensure that we meet the full range of needs of those children who are learning English as an additional language. This is in line with the requirements of the Race Relations Act 1976 and Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2001.
Supporting Students with English as an Additional Language (EAL)
At our school, we are proud of our diverse community and are committed to ensuring that every student, regardless of their linguistic background, can thrive academically, socially and personally.
Students who speak English as an Additional Language (EAL) bring a wealth of linguistic and cultural experiences to our school. We recognise these strengths and provide a range of support to help students develop their English language proficiency while fully accessing the curriculum.
Identifying Students’ Needs
When students join our school, their English language skills are carefully assessed using the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This enables us to identify the level of support required and ensure that appropriate provision is put in place from the outset. Students are reviewed regularly, and their progress is monitored throughout their time with us.
Specialist EAL Support
Students who require additional support may access targeted EAL tuition, delivered in small groups where possible, by specialist teaching staff. This provision is designed to develop students’ confidence and competence in speaking, listening, reading and writing in English, enabling them to access learning across all subjects. For some Key Stage 4 students, specialist ESOL qualifications may form part of their curriculum offer.
High-Quality Teaching in Every Classroom
The most important support EAL students receive comes through high-quality teaching. Our staff are trained to use strategies that help learners access challenging content while continuing to develop their language skills. These approaches include:
- Pre-teaching key vocabulary and subject-specific terminology
- Using visual resources, modelling and demonstrations to support understanding
- Breaking learning into manageable steps through effective scaffolding
- Providing sentence starters, writing frames and structured speaking opportunities
- Encouraging students to rehearse ideas verbally before writing
- Using clear explanations and reducing unnecessary language complexity
- Offering opportunities for self-correction and independent language development
These adaptations ensure that EAL learners can engage fully with the same ambitious curriculum as their peers.
Celebrating Multilingualism
We view multilingualism as a significant asset and actively encourage students to value and maintain their home languages. Research shows that developing a student’s first language supports their acquisition of additional languages, and we encourage students to draw upon their existing linguistic knowledge to aid learning.
Across the school, we celebrate the rich cultural diversity of our community through displays, events, curriculum opportunities and recognition of cultural and religious celebrations. We aim to create a genuine sense of belonging where every student feels valued, represented and heard.
Working Together for Success
Supporting EAL learners is a shared responsibility. Teachers, support staff, specialists and families work together to ensure that students develop the language skills, confidence and independence needed to succeed both in school and beyond.
Our goal is simple: to ensure that every student, regardless of their starting point in English, has the opportunity to achieve their full potential and feel fully included within our school community.
