English as an Additional Language

What is English as an Additional Language (EAL)?

The term 'English as an Additional Language' (EAL) is used to describe pupils who are exposed to a language other than English in their home or community during early childhood and continue to be exposed to that language. This means that English is not the first language they were introduced to, even if they are fluent in English or were born in the UK.

Children may grow up hearing and speaking multiple languages, and in such cases, the language other than English is recorded as their first language, in line with the Department for Education guidance.

We value and celebrate the linguistic diversity of our pupils and understand that being multilingual is a strength. Our teaching and support strategies are carefully planned to ensure EAL pupils make excellent progress in both their English language development and across the full curriculum.

EAL at St Stephen's

At St Stephen’s, we are proud to celebrate the rich diversity of languages spoken across our school community, with over 30 different languages represented. We view EAL as a valuable asset and a gift to be embraced and celebrated.

Children who speak English as an additional language are assessed and tracked each term using the Solihull EAL Primary Tracker. This framework supports teachers in monitoring the development of both receptive and expressive English language skills in EAL learners from Year 1 to Year 6. These assessments help us to tailor teaching and support strategies that meet each child’s individual needs and ensure continued progress.

All EAL learners are supported through high-quality teaching within their classroom. Where additional support is needed, teachers may work closely with the school’s EAL Lead or our dedicated EAL Specialist Teaching Assistant. This specialist support ensures that children receive targeted interventions while continuing to access the full curriculum alongside their peers.