English as an Additional Language - EAL Policy
Trinity School
Trinity School's Mission Statement:
'Trinity school seeks to draw out the best in every facet of each individual's nature,
academic and intellectual, social, emotional and physical, moral, psychological
and spiritual. The School aims to build confidence by developing personal qualities
that help to form trusting and stable relationships and encourage sound moral judgements
to be made. The School's Roman Catholic and Anglican foundation affirms the Christian
principles that permeate all aspects of School and family life'.
The guiding principles and objectives of the School’s EAL Policy are to ensure that
the aims of the Mission Statement are secured for all pupils. We recognise that
all overseas pupils will have differing degrees of difficulty with language at some
time in their school career and that provision for this need is on a continuum.
We regard the pupils’ self-esteem to be of vital importance to their learning and
intend that pupils should not feel stigmatised by the fact that they do not have
English as their first language. Teachers aim to ensure that all pupils for whom
English is a second language have the chance to achieve their maximum potential.
The role of the EAL Co-ordinator
School designated EAL Co-ordinator: K Crook, Head of EAL
The duties of the EAL Co-ordinator fall into two categories:
- Meeting the individual’s need with regard to curriculum; liaising as necessary with
boarding tutors. The duties are set out as follows:-
- the assessment of students’ level of language on arrival
- placement in classes appropriate to their language level, where possible
- entry to relevant EAL examinations
- ensuring colleagues have an understanding of EAL students’ needs
- assisting with the welfare of overseas students, both during and outside the School
day
- liaising with parents when necessary
- The EAL Co-ordinator works with a team of qualified EAL teachers to meet the needs
of the individual pupil.
Reporting and Liaison
Reports to: Director of Studies
Liases with: Subject Teachers, Key Stage Heads, Headmaster, Examination Officer,
School Nurse
Identification assessment and review
We aim to assess a pupil’s language level as soon as possible. When a new student
arrives, tests are carried out to ascertain the student’s level of proficiency in
the four skill areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking. Where possible,
the student is then placed in an EAL class according to their linguistic ability.
The results of the initial diagnostic test are made known to all subject teachers
so that they are aware of any difficulties the student may encounter within their
classroom.
If, at any stage, it becomes apparent that a student requires additional EAL input,
every effort will be taken to ensure that this need is met by offering one-to-one
support.
Progress is monitored both informally and formally by EAL teachers, subject teachers
and Key Stage Heads.
Appropriate special arrangements in Key Stage and GCSE/AS/A2 examinations will be
sought for pupils for whom English is a Second Language.
Gifted and Talented pupils
We recognise that students for whom English is a Second Language may well be both
gifted and talented.
If it is found that a student’s lack of English is prohibiting a student from progressing
to the best of their ability, additional EAL lessons can be provided to address
the problem.
Curriculum
The School has a responsibility to ensure that each child has access to a broad
and balanced curriculum and teachers have a responsibility to provide effective
learning opportunities for all pupils by providing relevant and appropriately challenging
work. Teachers are expected to:
- Set suitable learning challenges
- Respond to pupils’ language needs
- Overcome potential barriers to learning and assessment for individuals and groups
of pupils
Those pupils who need to be withdrawn for EAL tuition are currently withdrawn from
English and Modern Foreign Language lessons in the lower years. For all other subjects,
overseas students should be taught within integrated groups, wherever possible.
Students in the Sixth Form attend EAL in their free periods.
Integration
The School endeavours to ensure that all pupils are fully integrated into the life
of the school where safety permits.
Inset/Staff Development
Supporting overseas pupils involves every person in the School. The School has a
general plan for staff development and inset training. The EAL Co-Ordinator will
ensure that EAL is a significant part of the plan
This policy will be reviewed and updated regularly.
|