Best Practice

Supporting the arrival and transition of pupils with EAL

How can primary schools best support the transition of pupils with English as an additional language into reception class or indeed other key stages? Sarah Moodie advises

Primary schools are busy environments all year, but especially in the first weeks of September and October. New learners and teachers arrive, teachers meet their classes. A new cohort starts their school journey in reception, and individual new arrivals start in other year groups.

This is the time when a school’s inclusive ethos needs to be at its most assertive, and the message that learners using English as an additional language (EAL) are welcomed and seen as an asset needs to resonate to all learners, parents, and carers. This will help lay the foundations of a positive and mutually beneficial relationship.

From a learner’s perspective, what happens during the first half term at a new school shapes their sense of belonging and inclusion, which is, of course, the bedrock for achievement.

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