English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Our school provides extensive support for students learning English as an Additional Language (EAL). The dedicated EAL department is committed to ensuring that every student makes significant progress across the curriculum.

How Does the EAL Department Support Students?

The EAL department creates a welcoming environment and offers various forms of support, starting even before students officially begin their studies. We begin with an assessment of their English and Maths skills to adapt our approach, which includes:

• Placing students in appropriate classes
• Informing teachers of students’ skills and needs
• Providing necessary resources, including translations of their first language
• Conducting induction lessons to familiarise students with the school and curriculum
• Offering 1:1 support in English
• Delivering small group interventions in English and Maths
• Providing in-class support
• Conducting first language exams

We also help with reading comprehension and writing skills, strategies to enhance numerical understanding, and support for speech and language development through interactions with native English speaker pupils in the school. Engaging activities such as games, peer interactions, and reading clubs encourage students to enjoy, learn and share ideas.

Day-to-Day Support

Based on initial assessments and teacher feedback, we provide tailored support during the school day, which may include in-class assistance, 1:1 support, and small group interventions focused on specific subjects.

When Should Students Attend EAL?

Students are encouraged to visit the EAL department in the mornings before tutor time for activities like reading, informal literacy interventions, and homework assistance. Once classes begin, they can access targetted support in literacy and numeracy. The timing and nature of support are determined collaboratively by the EAL team, teaching staff, and parents, ensuring that students receive necessary help without missing valuable classroom learning time.

Additionally, students are welcome to join our break and lunch clubs, where staff facilitate games and conversations in a supportive environment. We also offer a homework club from Monday to Friday, providing a quiet space for students to complete assignments.

The School’s Aims for EAL

Our goal is to ensure that all EAL students receive the support they need to thrive academically and socially. We are dedicated to:

• Early identification and assessment of language needs
• Providing optimal resources and support for EAL students
• Ensuring full access to a broad and balanced curriculum
• Including EAL students in all school activities
• Valuing the voices and wishes of EAL students in planning and review processes
• Collaborating with parents and guardians to enhance student engagement and success
• Supporting students in preparing for post-16 education or employment pathways.

Facts about EAL

• More than 50 different languages are spoken in the Bulmershe community
• Our EAL students achieve successful results in GCSE and A level: 
  • More than 90% EAL students in GCSE achieved or surpassed their target 
  • Over 75% EAL students, most of them who joined in year 11, got above grade 4 in their GCSEs
• EAL student, Aditya, who got in-class support during his initial days at Bulmershe, got grade 9 in nine subjects and 7 and 8 in two other subjects

We are so proud of them all.

Who to contact in the EAL Department?

For more information, please contact Mr Paudyal at cpaudyal@bulmershe.wokingham.sch.uk

EAL Coordinator/ EAL Lead Teacher Mrs Khanna at skhanna@bulmershe.wokingham.sch.uk.