At The Abbey, we provide a supportive and tailored learning environment for our pupils who speak English as an additional language (EAL). Our purpose is to help them achieve fluency and academic success, building their confidence and fostering a joy for learning English.
The Importance of EAL Provision
Our comprehensive and systematic EAL provision is vital for several reasons. It ensures pupils can fully access the curriculum, build strong social connections with peers, and reach their full academic potential. Without targeted support, EAL pupils can fall behind, not because of a lack of ability, but due to a language barrier. Our provision is designed to bridge this gap effectively. We approach this through short, sharp interventions rather than teaching English as a second language over a long period. The goal is to provide short-term, high-impact support to enable pupils to integrate into mainstream lessons quickly.
Our Approach to EAL Provision
We use continuous formative assessments to gauge each pupil’s English proficiency. This allows us to create personalised learning paths and tailor lessons to teach crucial vocabulary and develop their understanding of English grammar.
Every lesson provides opportunities to practise the four key language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. This holistic approach ensures pupils develop all the necessary skills for effective communication in and out of the classroom.
For pupils aged nine to thirteen who require additional support, we use the Fresh Start phonics intervention to improve their reading and phonics acquisition quickly and effectively. The provision is used across both our Junior and Senior sites, which helps to ensure continuity and a consistent approach to supporting our pupils. This program is a key part of our commitment to ensuring all pupils have the foundational skills they need to succeed.
