English as an Additional Language (EAL)
At Hursthead Infant School, we are proud of our exciting and diverse school community. We embrace every opportunity to enable all our children to share their cultural and ethnic backgrounds, enriching everyone’s learning and deepening their understanding of the world.
English as an Additional Language (EAL) refers to any pupil who heard a language other than English at birth. This also includes children who may not yet speak English. In England, these learners are defined as those who have been “exposed to a language at home that is known or believed to be other than English” (Department for Education, 2019).
In Stockport, more than 150 languages are spoken across our schools. At Hursthead Infant School, at least 21 different languages are spoken or heard by our pupils, staff, and families. Accurate figures ae reported termly to the Full Governing Body.
We warmly welcome both new-to-English learners and bilingual speakers. At Hursthead Infant School, we want every child to value and celebrate the richness of languages spoken in our school. We believe that bilingualism is a powerful asset and a strength to be recognised and nurtured for each child’s future.
Once a pupil is registered as EAL, the school will assess and monitor their progress throughout the year. This helps us to identify any gaps in knowledge and address them through appropriate strategies and interventions. Within our EYFS team, we deliver a specialist language intervention called Teddy Talk, which aims to further develop vocabulary and build confidence in spoken language.
We work closely with the Ethnic Diversity Service, which provides training for our staff and collaborates with us to support pupils as needed. The service also shares information about special celebrations, festivals, and cultural events that take place each term. These are shared with the whole school community.
At Hursthead Infant School, we are committed to providing rich and varied English language opportunities for all our children. Our EAL parents are a valued part of the community. We are always happy to offer support where needed. Please speak to the school office if you require assistance—we can arrange for an interpreter if necessary.