EAL Provision

What is an EAL learner?

The term EAL is used to refer to students for whom English is an additional language. A student will be recorded as EAL if their first language is known or believed to be other than English. We recognise that the level of English for an EAL student can vary from complete beginner to fluent.

Aims

To welcome and value the cultural, linguistic and educational experiences that students with EAL bring to Rednock.
To implement whole-school strategies to ensure that EAL students are supported in accessing the curriculum.

Why tell us if your child is an EAL learner?

Being identified as an EAL learner means that teachers and staff will consider the English language needs of your child in the classroom, and will aim to provide suitable support if necessary. It also means that more help might be available for your child in some situations such as exams.

There is no disadvantage in being identified as an EAL learner. Our EAL learners are integrated in school tutor groups and lessons, alongside non-EAL learners. If additional support is necessary, some individual provision might be put in place, as outlined below.

What kind of support is available for my child as an EAL learner?

The needs of your child will be monitored by the EAL team and any specific needs will be shared with your child’s teachers where relevant. Where necessary, additional support might be put in place. This might include the following:

Provision of a bilingual dictionary for use in classwork and homework.
Permission to use a laptop / tablet / mobile phone in class to help with translation and understanding.
Additional support in exams such as extra time (if certain criteria are met), use of a reader, and use of a bilingual dictionary where relevant and permitted.
The possibility of taking a GCSE in your child’s first / other language, if available.
A personalised or reduced timetable, if appropriate.
Small group intervention such as the ‘Fresh Start’ phonics programme.
Access to Language Nut – a self-study English Language website.
Additional English language workbook practice.

What support is available to me as an EAL parent / carer?

We understand that you may also have some questions about processes and may need some additional support with language. We have therefore created some systems that might help, but please let us know if there is any other kind of help that would be useful.

Support with parents’ evenings – Let us know if you are not able to attend parents’ consultation meetings because of a language barrier. In these situations, we will aim to provide written feedback from teachers instead of face-to-face discussions. This will be sent via email so that you can use an online translator tool if need be..
Support with understanding school events – See the links and information below on key events and descriptions.
Support with reporting absence – Let us know if language makes it difficult for you to communicate with us about absence. We will find an alternative system to help.
Support with asking for help – To contact your child’s tutor or the EAL team, please email [email protected].
Support with understanding the English education system – The Bell Foundation has some information available in many different languages to help you.

Rednock School key events and descriptions

Visit the A-Z section of the school website.