English as an Additional Language (EAL) at St Richard's

At St Richard’s Catholic Primary School, we are proud of our diverse and inclusive community. Our pupils and families bring a rich range of languages, cultures and experiences to our school, and we celebrate this diversity as one of our greatest strengths. We believe that every language spoken by our children is a gift and an important part of their identity, helping to enrich the learning of our entire school community.

We are ambitious for all learners and have high expectations for every pupil, regardless of their stage of English language acquisition. Our aim is to ensure that pupils who speak English as an Additional Language (EAL) are fully included in all aspects of school life and are supported to achieve highly across the curriculum whilst valuing and maintaining their home language.

Teachers use a range of evidence-informed strategies to support language development and curriculum access.

These include:

• Clear modelling and explicit teaching of vocabulary.
• The use of dual coding, combining visual images, symbols and words to aid understanding and retention.
• Carefully planned talk opportunities to develop speaking and listening skills.
• Visual supports, resources and scaffolds that help pupils access new learning.
• Repetition and revisiting of key vocabulary across the curriculum.
• Pre-teaching of language where appropriate.
• Collaborative learning and structured partner talk.
• Adapted teaching materials and targeted support when needed.
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Language development is everyone's responsibility at St Richard’s. EAL support is integrated into everyday classroom practice, allowing pupils to develop both their English proficiency and their subject knowledge simultaneously. We recognise that children learning English as an additional language are often developing multiple languages at once, and we actively encourage pupils to value and celebrate their linguistic skills.

Our curriculum reflects the diversity of the community we serve. We carefully select texts, resources and learning experiences that represent a wide range of cultures, backgrounds and perspectives, ensuring that children see themselves reflected in their learning while developing an understanding of the wider world.

Through strong partnerships with families, inclusive teaching and a culture of belonging, we ensure that every child is known, valued and supported. We want all pupils to leave St Richard’s as confident communicators, proud of their heritage and fully prepared to succeed in the next stage of their education and beyond.