When a child joins our school from another country, it is hard enough for them to get to grips with a new way of life, let alone learning a new language. Therefore, we offer English as an Additional Language (EAL) lessons in order that no child is left behind with their learning. EAL lessons can allow a pupil to fill in any gaps in their education that may have resulted from their schooling in another country, and also gives them the opportunity to not fall behind their peers within the classroom. Please note, an additional charge is made for EAL lessons.

We support and monitor pupils from Year 3 to 8, and, once assessed, pupil’s individual needs are catered for with the requisite number of lessons required to suit their needs. We offer one, two or three lessons a week, depending on how much support each child needs. These lessons can be in the form of one-to-one teaching or small group teaching. Once we are aware of a pupil’s strengths and weaknesses, we are able to create a scheme of work that is individually crafted to best support a child’s needs and address any gaps in their linguistic skills, be it speaking, reading or writing. We work with the Learning Support Department to make sure all needs are met, and each child has an Individual Education Plan (I.E.P.), which is updated regularly and is available for all subject teachers to access via the school intranet.

EAL lessons are subject supportive, and we work closely with the English Department in particular to make sure that any potential areas of weakness are addressed at the earliest possible opportunity. These lessons also provide a chance for foreign language pupils to tackle topics that they don’t understand, but are not confident enough to address in a classroom scenerio. This allows pupils to maintain their learning and ensures they are able to follow the same curriculum as other pupils.

For further details, please contact Mrs Bridgette Williams EAL teacher, CCJS.