Welcome To Wirral

EAS staff:-

• assess pupils learning English as an Additional Language (EAL). (Foundation Stage – Y11). Pupils (Y1 and above) at the earlier stages of learning English are assessed using the scale for assessing early progress in English as an Additional Language as set out in ‘A Language in Common. Assessing English as an Additional Language’ QCA 2000.
• provide advice and materials to staff.
• monitor pupils.
• provide direct teaching support for prioritised pupils.
• work closely with school staff in order to ensure that the needs of the pupils are addressed effectively. (e.g. to analyse the language demands of the curriculum and to advise on activities that will encourage speaking and listening).
• work with parents and the wider community and write reports for the parents of pupils receiving direct support
• provide training centrally and school based e.g. on assessment, target setting and tracking the progress of pupils.
• provide advice regarding linguistic and cultural matters, including dietary and religious information and on the handling of racist incidents.
• provide information on interpreter and translation services and are able to provide advice on the use of interpreters.
• support the admission of new arrivals including refugee, Gypsy Roma and Irish traveller pupils.

In future staff will give advice on embedding race equality through the curriculum and advise on materials that promote a greater understanding of ethnic diversity and racial equality.

Referral of pupils learning English as an Additional Language to the Service

Pupils are referred to the service through the school. Parents are informed when a pupil is referred.

Once a pupil has been referred to the service, the Co-ordinator or the specialist teacher will visit the school to advise staff and to conduct an assessment of the pupil. Pupils at the earlier stages of learning English are assessed using the QCA scale for assessing early progress in English as an Additional Language.

Once the assessment has been completed, a decision is made on whether there will be further input from MEAS and the nature of this input. Staff are informed and either the pupil receives direct support from MEAS, the pupil is monitored by MEAS or the input ceases and the onus is on the school to contact MEAS if input is required at a later date.

Pupils in Primary and Secondary schools who are Year 1 – Year 11 are prioritised. Those who are at the earlier stages of learning English receive direct support. This support is usually 1 session a week of approximately 1 hour. Some pupils in the Foundation stage receive support from the Bilingual Project Officer (BPO). In addition, the BPO and the specialist teachers support the teaching staff in facing the challenges and opportunities provided by the presence of EAL pupils in their classes.

Contact details

The Minority Ethnic Achievement Service
Special Education Support Service (SESS)
Solar Campus
235 Leasowe Road
Wallasey
CH45 8RE
Telephone 0151 637 6165