At Lanesfield Primary School, we are proud to welcome children and families from around the world. We celebrate the many languages and cultures that make our school community so special. Every child is valued, supported, and encouraged to achieve their very best.

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At Lanesfield Primary School, we are proud to welcome children and families from all around the world. Our school is a place where every language, culture, and background is valued and celebrated. We know that joining a new school and learning a new language can be both exciting and challenging — but at Lanesfield, you are never alone.

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We work together to make sure every child feels safe, ready, and respectful — our three core expectations that guide everything we do. These values help us create a caring, supportive environment where all pupils can learn and thrive, no matter their starting point or first language. .Our EAL provision also reflects the Lanesfield Values that are at the heart of our school community.

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How We Support EAL Learners

• Explain how pupils who are new to English are supported in class and across the school.

• Describe the role of the EAL Coordinator and how teachers adapt lessons.

• Include examples of support provided, such as:

  • Small group or 1:1 English sessions

  • Visual and bilingual learning resources

  • Peer support or buddy systems

  • Regular assessments to track progress

  • Celebrating home languages in class and school events

 

At Lanesfield, we understand that every child learns English in their own way and at their own pace. Our caring staff team works closely with pupils, parents, and carers to make sure each child feels confident, included, and able to take part fully in school life. We use a range of strategies to support children with English as an Additional Language — from visual resources and small-group teaching to buddy systems that help new pupils make friends and settle quickly.

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We believe that language should never be a barrier to learning or belonging. Our goal is to ensure that every child feels part of the Lanesfield family from their very first day, and that they can grow and succeed through our shared values of kindness, respect, resilience, and aspiration.

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Our teachers use a wide range of strategies to make learning fun, accessible, and engaging for EAL learners, including:

• Visual aids and practical activities to support understanding and vocabulary development.

• Small-group or one-to-one support for pupils who are new to English.

• Buddy systems to help new pupils settle in, make friends, and learn everyday English through play and conversation.

• Classroom scaffolding, where teachers adapt instructions, model key language, and use repetition to support comprehension.

• Celebrating language and culture, through displays, themed weeks, and sharing home languages in class.

 

We regularly assess each child’s progress and adapt support as their confidence and skills grow. Our EAL Coordinator works closely with teachers and families to ensure that every pupil receives the encouragement and help they need to thrive both academically and socially.

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How Parents and Carers Can Help at Home

Your child’s home language is a huge asset. Talking, reading, and playing in your language helps your child think and learn. You don’t need to stop speaking your own language — in fact, strong home language skills help children learn English faster.

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Parents and carers play a very special role in supporting their child’s learning. At Lanesfield, we know that families are their children’s first and most important teachers. When you talk, read, and spend time together at home — in any language — you are helping your child develop the skills they need to succeed at school.

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You don’t need to speak English at home for your child to make progress. In fact, continuing to use your home language helps your child build a strong foundation for learning English and for understanding the world around them.

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Here are some simple ways you can help your child at home:

• 💬 Talk together in your home language about everyday things — what you’re cooking, where you’re going, what you see around you.

• 📚 Read stories in your home language and in English. Talk about the pictures, characters, and what happens in the story.

• 🎵 Sing songs and rhymes in both languages — this helps with rhythm, memory, and new vocabulary.

• 🏷️ Label objects around the house in both English and your home language to build new words.

• 💻 Use online games and videos made for young English learners, such as those from the British Council or Oxford Owl.

• 💗 Celebrate your culture and language — share traditions, stories, and songs with your child’s class if you can.

 

Every small step makes a big difference. When your child sees that you value learning and language, they will too. Together, we can help every child become confident, curious, and proud of their identity.

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