Best Practice

SATs: Access arrangements for learners who use EAL

A number of access arrangements are available for national curriculum tests for pupils using English as an additional language. Glynis Lloyd explains and offers some wider advice on how to prepare pupils for these tests
Image: Adobe Stock

Schools have seen an increase in the number of multilingual learners who use English as an additional language (EAL). Many are new arrivals who are new to English and to the English education and assessment systems.

If they take the national tests, they are likely to achieve better with special arrangements in place. But for many schools, this is a new challenge.

 

A diverse group

Multilingual learners are a very diverse group, with a wide range of proficiency in English. In addition to language challenges they may face, being a new arrival in England with no knowledge or experience of the English schooling and testing systems, puts them at a disadvantage in assessments that are designed for their English monolingual peers.

Register now, read forever

Thank you for visiting Headteacher Update and reading some of our content for professionals in primary education. Register now for free to get unlimited access to all content.

What's included:

  • Unlimited access to news, best practice articles and podcasts

  • New content and e-bulletins delivered straight to your inbox every Monday

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here