Showcasing the achievements of your school through the achievements of your pupils

Organising school events that are open to members of the local community not only creates a sense of community cohesion but also provides the opportunity to showcase the achievements of the school through the achievements of your pupils.

However, an increasing number of schools are also finding great benefit in attending events away from the local area to showcase the school’s achievements to a much broader audience and thus raise the profile of the school at a national level.

One of the largest events to offer schools this opportunity is Voice in a Million where children from all schools across the UK are invited to sing in a choir of thousands at the SSE Arena Wembley.

Better still, entry to the event is free – the only costs are for the rehearsal materials and the t-shirts worn by all participants in the event.

It’s an experience that colleagues, pupils and parents will remember forever. To add to its attraction the event supports a stupendously important cause as Voice in a Million is dedicated to raising awareness for adoption and fostering around the world.

There are no auditions and no requirement for your pupils to have a particular singing talent or ability although, if you wish, you can put forward your more talented singers to attend auditions for the opportunity to perform as a soloist.

Voice in a Million provides everything you need for rehearsal, including backing tracks and lyrics, and a workshop can be held in your school during which the repertoire is run through with your choir.

To find out how your school can take part in Voice in a Million, please visit www.voiceinamillion.com/schools-area/. For event details and to see video clips from previous shows and events, please click here.

Alternatively, if you would like to discuss your school’s possible involvement in the next Voice in a Million on either the 2nd or 3rd of March 2016, please do call us on 07872 591409 or 01932 859667 or email me at jo.garofalo@voiceinamillion.com.

I’ll be very pleased to hear from you.

Jo Garofalo

What is the most effective way of working with pupils who have English as an additional language?

Students who have English as an additional language now form a majority in one in nine schools in the UK; the number has risen by 20% during the last five years.

Many schools estimate that it takes about a half term for the average EAL pupil to gain sufficient working knowledge of English for them to move into the mainstream classroom, while spending time with the intervention teacher each day.

However, although this seems a simple process there are many issues that arise, ranging from the exact legal requirements in terms of dealing with these pupils through to the best approach for induction and admission of these new arrivals.

There are also issues of engaging with the parents, the question of which teaching and learning strategies are the most effective, and the support and encouragement that should be given to more advanced EAL learners.

Indeed, many schools are now asking what a good induction programme looks like. Indeed when it comes to EAL is one approach as good as another?

This matter was highlighted by the publication of the New Arrivals Excellence Programme which was issued in 2007 and represents a summary of best practice in EAL in the country. It includes case studies and does give a clear source of information on what schools can do in relation to EAL students.

This is not to say that there is a single process and approach which every school should follow, but it is often felt that it is helpful for schools to consider a range of approaches when thinking about their EAL students.

From the sort of approach adopted come the appropriate teaching and learning strategies, and indeed the role of the EAL Coordinator who can ensure that the plan that the school has developed is being followed at each turn, and that any gaps in learning and performance between EAL language pupils and students and those who have English as their first language are narrowed and ultimately removed.

These are the issues examined in the new extensive volume The EAL Coordinator’s Manual. The 170 page volume comes in copiable form so that it can shared with any members of staff in the school who work with EAL students.

You can see a full contents list and some sample pages at http://www.pdf.firstandbest.co.uk/EAL/T1832.pdf

Publisher’s reference: T1832EMN ISBN: 978 1 86083 802 6

Prices

• Photocopiable report in a ring binder, £29.95 plus £3.95 delivery
• CD with school-wide rights: £29.95 plus £3.95 delivery
• Both the Ring Binder and the CD £36.94 plus £3.95 delivery

Prices include VAT.

You can purchase the report… please quote the order ref: T1832EMN

• By post to First and Best, Hamilton House, Earlstrees Ct., Earlstrees Way, Corby, NN17 4HH
• By fax to 01536 399 012
• On the phone with a school order number at 01536 399 011
• By email to sales@firstandbest.co.uk
• On line with a credit card at http://shop.firstandbest.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=810