The teaching of English as an Additional Language to students from KS3 to KS5, including a combination of withdrawal classes and in-class co-teaching.
Our EAL teachers are enthusiastic, passionate and reflective practitioners who have a solid understanding of language acquisition and keep informed of developments within the field of EAL. They typically teach from within a model of sheltered immersion up to 24 periods per week, and are responsible for the promotion and development of EAL to the wider school. Collaboration and planning with subject teachers is essential for the progress of our students’ language development.
The Department members work closely to produce teaching materials and to discuss teaching pedagogy generally as well as to complete necessary administration. Staff are enthusiastic to seek out and share new materials and ideas and lively professional discussions about all aspects of English teaching and the difficulties the students are experiencing are held informally on a daily basis. The department is supportive of new staff and actively welcomes new ideas and creative approaches to the challenges of teaching such a key subject for student success in all areas of the curriculum. Strong links with the other subject departments help to enrich the students’ curriculum experience.
The Head of Department and or Head of Secondary completes a formal observation each year and professional development discussions are held with each member of the team; department members are actively encouraged to explore new ideas for the curriculum and to take on additional responsibilities and projects to further their professional experience.
