“Without language, one cannot talk to people and understand them; one cannot share their hopes and aspirations, grasp their history, appreciate their poetry, or savour their songs.” – Nelson Mandela

Introduction

At Orchard Mead Academy, education is enriched by the diverse ethnicity, culture, and language of our students. We are dedicated to providing high-quality teaching for all, including those who are bilingual or who have English as an additional language.

We understand the importance of identifying each student’s individual needs and recognizing the unique skills they bring to the school. Our commitment to equality of access to the curriculum ensures that every student, regardless of their background, has the same opportunities to succeed.

We provide direct language support from specialist teachers, but we also take a whole-school approach to equality of access to the curriculum. This includes creating a learning environment that incorporates a wide range of teaching and learning strategies, multicultural and multilingual resources and displays, and celebrating a variety of world cultural events throughout the school year.

All staff are responsible for ensuring that all pupils, including EAL pupils achieve their full potential.

What is EAL?

The government’s definition of an EAL learner is: ‘A child with English as an additional language is one who was exposed to a language other than English during their early years and continues to be exposed to this language in the home or in the community.’

At Orchard Mead Academy, education is enriched by the diverse ethnicity, culture, and language of our students. We are dedicated to providing high-quality teaching for all, including those who are bilingual or who have English as an additional language.

We understand the importance of identifying each student’s individual needs and recognising the unique skills they bring to the school. Our commitment to equality of access to the curriculum ensures that every student, regardless of their background, has the same opportunities to succeed.

We provide language support and enable independent language acquisition, but we also take a whole-school approach to equality of access to the curriculum. This includes creating a learning environment that incorporates a wide range of teaching and learning strategies, multicultural and multilingual resources and displays, and celebrating a variety of world cultural events throughout the school year.

All staff are responsible for ensuring that all pupils, including EAL pupils achieve their full potential.

English Proficiency Levels

A student is recorded as having English as an additional language (EAL), if they are exposed to a language at home other than English.  EAL students can potentially face problems: acquiring a new language; learning subject content via this language; accommodating new cultural and linguistic conventions; progressing in a subject from a different starting point.

When EAL students are enrolled at Orchard Mead Academy, they are given an English language test to determine the level of support provided.  EAL proficiency is assessed through tasks that tap into the knowledge and skills identified in the Framework’s descriptors from Bell Foundation (see below).  Additionally, for year 7 students, they take the literacy test to measure their reading age. The results are analysed and those whose reading level is in the bottom 20% of the cohort sit a further screening test to determine required intervention.

Using the Bell Foundation Framework, students are identified as being at one of five points (below):

Those children that are assessed at A or B will receive a more intensive programme of support upon arrival, which will help them acquire ‘Survival English’ so they can acclimatise as quickly as possible.  These students are given access to Flash Academy, an online language learning platform, to improve their English in order to support them in accessing the curriculum and fully participate in school life.  They have their targets regularly reviewed and updated.

EAL students assessed at bands A-D have access to some bilingual resources and support outside of class when required to support them with the English language

The level of proficiency for the majority of EAL students at OMA is ‘E’, however, EAL students assessed at bands A-D have access to some bilingual resources and support outside of class when required to support them with the English language learning journey.

KS3 Support

Year 7 and 8

During Key Stage 3, specifically in Year 7 and 8, the school places a strong emphasis on providing targeted support for EAL (English as an Additional Language) students who find themselves at a unique stage in their language development. This support is extended to those students who have either no English language skills at all or possess limited proficiency in their native language.

Structured intervention is essential for these students as it serves as a foundational building block for their academic journey. It is designed to bridge the gap between their current language abilities and the proficiency required to fully engage with the curriculum. This intervention program encompasses various aspects of language acquisition, focusing on the development of vital skills such as listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

To ensure that these students receive the necessary support and guidance, dedicated educators work closely with them, employing instructional methods that are tailored to their individual needs.

The objective is to empower these students with the linguistic tools and confidence they need to integrate into mainstream classes effectively. Literacy interventions are a crucial in unlocking pupils’ potential and enabling them to thrive academically, fostering a sense of belonging and equal access to educational opportunities for all students, regardless of their language background.

Year 9

English as an Additional Language (EAL) students who require support in their English skills receive regular, targeted literacy intervention during their two weekly French language lessons. These students participate in a carefully tailored English literacy program designed to cater to their specific needs. The curriculum is aligned with the French language curriculum, ensuring a seamless integration of language development. The curriculum is centred around three themes: Media, Holidays, and Relationships.

Outside of their dedicated literacy sessions, EAL students attend mainstream classes as part of their regular timetable. Their progress is vigilantly monitored through both formative and summative assessments, allowing educators to provide ongoing support and adapt the intervention to their evolving language proficiency.

KS4 Support

In KS4 (Year 10 and 11) students with limited English skills study an English Functional Skills course as one of their option subjects. Edexcel qualifications support learners whose first language is not English, helping them to gain the communication skills needed to progress in education and transfer skills across other subjects. During the course, students have an opportunity to complete Entry Level 1 / Entry Level 2 /Entry Level 3 English Functional Skills Qualifications in readiness for college.

Functional Skills English is a set of qualifications in English language and communication skills that are designed to help individuals develop practical skills for everyday use. These qualifications are commonly offered in the UK and are often required for employment and further education.

The curriculum is designed to empower students with the practical language skills they need to thrive in society, the workplace, and their personal lives. It’s a versatile and inclusive approach to language education that prioritizes functional proficiency over academic rigor. It helps boost learners’ confidence in their language abilities, enabling them to participate more fully in society and engage in a wide range of activities. The curriculum aims to bridge the literacy gap and promote inclusivity by providing accessible English language education for individuals with diverse backgrounds and abilities.

Functional Skills English assessments provide a means to gauge learners’ progress and offer certification, which can be valuable for both personal and professional development.

The English Functional Skills serves several important purposes:

  1. Basic Language Proficiency – It aims to equip learners with the fundamental language skills needed to communicate effectively in everyday situations. This includes reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.
  2. Life Skills – The curriculum focuses on practical literacy skills that are relevant to real-life situations, such as filling out forms, writing job applications, greetings cards or invitations.
  3. Employability – By improving English language proficiency, the curriculum enhances learners’ employability prospects.

Access to Further Education – For students interested in pursuing further education, functional skills in English are often a prerequisite for entry into higher-level courses or vocational training programs.

The five threads that consistently run through the curriculum are:

– Citizen and Community

– Domestic and Everyday Life

– Education and Training

– Work and Employment

– Leisure.

Each of these concepts or themes are interrelated and play an essential role in shaping individuals and societies.

‘Citizen and Community’ thread is centred around understanding the various roles and responsibilities of individuals in the community and how one can contribute to making a positive change in society. It is about family, friendship and life in the UK.

The ‘Domestic and Everyday Life’ thread covers the essential aspects of daily life, ranging from food, clothing and shelter. Students study body parts, health issues and how to arrange a doctor appointment.

The ‘Education and Training’ thread is about learning and understanding how knowledge and skills impact personal and social development. Students learn how to stay safe online and how to be better organised which are good for further education and life. Students also receive guidance, how to write a personal statement and complete an application form.

The ‘Work and Employment’ thread provides a comprehensive understanding of the modern work market and how individuals can prepare themselves for work. It guides students how to write a CV, complete a form and how to search for job.

Finally, the ‘Leisure’ thread focuses on the importance of leisure activities and their role in maintaining mental health and well-being. By understanding these threads, learners can grasp the essential elements that shape individuals and communities and prepare themselves for their future roles in society.

This is a list of useful websites that provide resources appropriate for KS3 and KS4 students:

englishclub.com/

englishforeveryone.org/

really-learn-english.com

agendaweb.org

www.ego4u.com

bbc.co.uk/skillswise/english

skillsworkshop.org/esol

englishgrammarsecrets.com/ 

Co-curricular opportunities

Students are selected from years 7, 8 and 9 according to level of English and EAL needs to do an intensive intervention program with the aim to improve/teach reading and writing skills.

Selected students are also offered the opportunity to attend breakfast reading clubs twice a week to improve reading.

Year 10 and Year 11 students are given the opportunity to prepare and do a GCSE qualification in their home language.

Stretch and challenge opportunities

Students are stretched and challenged within all lessons of ESOL.

Starting at Entry Level 1 and working towards an Entry Level 2 qualification allows learners to gradually build up their knowledge and skills. However, more advanced learners have an opportunity to attempt Entry level 3 straight away (providing their knowledge of the English language is at that level).

Additional information

Induction:

All EAL students who join the Academy during the academic year start school on Thursdays and spend two days in an Induction programme group. The students complete an initial assessments which determine their curriculum setting. The students follow a series of induction activities to familiarise them with the college routines, for example, they are introduced to their tutor group, allocated a same first language buddy or taken on tours of the school. They are provided with a booklet containing survival language, key words and useful information regarding the school policy, requirements and routines.

  • We celebrate our college diversity through organising events (Diwali), cultural displays and inclusive assemblies covering religious events throughout the year.
  • Provide interpreters when and where they are needed, particularly in parents evenings and parents meetings with teachers and support staff.
  • Provide translations of school letters and documents in communal languages (Gujarati, Slovak, Polish)
  • Encourage parental attendance at parents’ evenings and participation in other school functions (celebration evenings, cultural events etc.)
  • Organise workshops for parents before parents’ evenings.

Upload YouTube videos in Gujarati to provide most important information to parents

Subject Leader

Mrs I. Kaminska-Placzek