English as an Additional Language

St Martin’s is a richly diverse school community, with pupils from a wide range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. We value the languages, experiences and knowledge that every child brings to our school.

English as an Additional Language (EAL) describes pupils who have been exposed to a language other than English during their early development and continue to use or encounter that language at home or within their community. EAL is not a special educational need and does not indicate a pupil’s ability or potential.

When a pupil joins St Martin’s, we work closely with their family to understand their language background, previous education and individual strengths and needs. We assess their proficiency in English and monitor their progress carefully so that support can be adapted as their confidence and fluency develop.

We have high expectations for all EAL pupils. They follow the same ambitious curriculum as their peers, with carefully planned support to ensure they can participate fully and achieve well. Teachers develop pupils’ spoken language, vocabulary, reading and writing through clear explanations, modelling, visuals, purposeful talk and opportunities to rehearse and apply new language. Where needed, pupils also receive focused additional support.

Our aim is for every EAL pupil to feel that they belong, contribute confidently and flourish academically and personally. We encourage families to continue speaking, reading and sharing stories in their home languages, as strong first-language development provides an important foundation for learning English and other subjects.

Information and Support for Families

We are committed to working in partnership with parents and carers. If you would like advice or support regarding your child’s language development or education, please contact our EAL Lead:

Mrs Miller-Goddard
admin@stmartins.dsat.org.uk