Cradle Hill Community Primary School

Consultation to CLOSE the East Sussex EAL Service

Dear Parents or Carers

 You may already be aware that an East Sussex consultation process is underway to consider closing the English as an Additional Language Service (EALS) entirely.

 You have the chance to participate in the consultation until 3rd February 2019 – links provided below.                                                                                                

If this proposal goes ahead, there will no longer be a direct EAL support service to schools. This would commence 31st March 2019, with a complete closure of the Service by the end of the summer term 2019.

 Last year, EALS supported over 470 pupils in 70 primary and secondary schools across the County.

 EALS specialist teachers work within schools providing a wide range of support that includes: assessing English language level of newly arrived pupils; working directly with or monitoring the progress of EAL pupils – who may also be Looked After Children in fostering placements (unaccompanied asylum seekers/refugees) or who may also have additional Special Educational Needs; providing EAL advice and differentiation strategies to staff; maintaining an EAL register providing teachers with a background language profile of their EAL pupils; monitoring integration, progress and emotional/social well-being of EAL pupils; support with year 6-7 / year 11-12 transitioning pupils; supporting other students in school with how to buddy a new EAL student; facilitating home language GCSEs; providing support and training for teachers and trainee teachers.

EALS also has a team of Bilingual Support Officers (BSOs) to support pupils who need help with learning English.  They help pupils settle into school when they first arrive and give them additional English language teaching and bilingual support in order that they can access the curriculum. The service can also help communication and understanding between home and school, including interpreting at parent meetings and other meetings, translating letters and making phone calls home. BSOs also facilitate students being able to take a home language GCSE.

The links below will take you to the East Sussex consultation documents which give additional information regarding the proposal and a short on-line survey where you can give your views – if you feel this is a worthwhile Service to keep open. There are 3 surveys – one for school staff; one for parents, carers and community stakeholders (ANY East Sussex resident) and one for pupils and students.

Information and on-line survey for East Sussex PARENTS, CARERS and COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS (RESIDENTS)

Information and on-line survey for East Sussex PUPILS and STUDENTS

Thank you for your support.