As I write this, it is Mental Health Awareness Week 2020 (18-24 May) in the UK, hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, with World Wellbeing Week fast approaching on 22-26 June 2020. During these strange COVID-19 times, my thoughts are turning to the power of nature to lift spirits, lighten moods and provide a positive focus Read more about Home learning during school closures: A minibeasts project for primary pupils[…]

New-to-English secondary pupils – from learning in class to learning at home Kindly contributed by our guest author: Caroline Scott – Director, Across Cultures – June 2020 This upsetting case is highlighted by Kamil Trzebiatowski, former EAL Co-ordinator in a large secondary school in the UK. It’s a common story in many schools, where it’s Read more about GUEST BLOG – Caroline Scott – Director, Across Cultures[…]

Over in Cheltenham, Stephen has been busy in his school role as EAL Lead – setting up the fantastic Young Interpreters Scheme at Gardners Lane Primary School, Cheltenham    This continues the school’s excellent work in valuing and promoting languages other than English in a school in which 33% of the pupils are from BAME Read more about Young Interpreters Scheme[…]

Funding for pupils with English as an additional language Ref: ‘Schools revenue funding 2019 to 2020’  Delegated funding Local authority funding formula factors for 2019 to 2020 (page 11)  English as an additional language (EAL) An optional factor ‘Pupils identified in the October census with a first language other than English may attract funding for Read more about Funding for pupils with English as an additional language – latest update[…]

Better Bilingual EAL Network meeting (BANES) was held on 5th March at St Philip’s C of E Primary School Alice Herve from ‘Bath Welcomes Refugees’ spoke about her work with refugee families including organising tuition for the children. Yasmin Malik highlighted the ‘Young interpreters Scheme’ providing peer to peer support. Jo Childs-Evans shared EAL good Read more about EAL Network meeting BANES, March 2019[…]

Better Bilingual EAL Network meeting (BRISTOL) was held on 12th March at Henbury School Outline of the meeting focused primarily on enhancing provision for learners new to English and included the following: Judith Prosser EAL Co-ordinator at Henbury School spoke about developing her role since joining the school in September 2018 and the positive impact Read more about EAL Network meeting Bristol, March 2019[…]

This NALDIC South West Regional Interest Group (RIG) Meeting was facilitated by Catherine Brennan and Yasmin Malik of Better Bilingual on Tuesday 20th November 2018 at Two Mile Hill Primary School, Bristol. Catherine shared personal highlights from this year’s NALDIC26 Conference, held in Leeds on 17th November 2018, before Yasmin introduced our first guest speaker, Read more about NALDIC South West RIG Meeting 20.11.18 – Summary by Catherine Brennan[…]

Better Bilingual EAL Network Meeting (Bristol) Tuesday 27th November 2018 – Cotham School   With such a busy time of year for schools, Better Bilingual was privileged in being able to hold their EAL Network Meeting (Bristol) at Cotham school this term. Local and national key updates were provided by Better Bilingual, led by Yasmin Read more about Better Bilingual EAL Network Meeting (Bristol) – November 2018[…]