EAL

Celebrating Languages and Cultures at Hylands

At Hylands, we take immense pride in being a vibrant, multicultural community where diversity is celebrated and valued. Many of our pupils have the unique advantage of experiencing languages other than English at home, enriching our school environment with a wealth of linguistic and cultural perspectives. Currently, we are proud to have over 26 different languages spoken within our school, alongside English.

In alignment with our core values of Respect and Compassion, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every language and culture is recognised and appreciated. To bring this vision to life, we host an annual Festival of Culture—a dynamic and interactive event that allows pupils to explore different countries, languages, and traditions. Through engaging activities, storytelling, music, and cuisine, children gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of global cultures. Parents are warmly welcomed to share their own experiences, offering invaluable insights into their heritage and traditions.

As part of our dedication to supporting bilingualism, we proudly participate in the Young Interpreters Scheme, a national initiative that empowers bilingual pupils to utilise their language skills to assist their peers. This program not only enhances communication within our school but also nurtures leadership, confidence, and a sense of responsibility among our young interpreters.

Recognising the importance of language learning for families, we also collaborate with Havering College to offer ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes for parents who wish to develop their English proficiency. This initiative supports parents in building confidence in their communication skills, enabling them to engage more actively in their children's education and the wider community.

At Hylands, we celebrate the richness of our diverse school community, ensuring that every pupil feels valued, included, and inspired by the cultures that surround them. By embracing multilingualism and cultural diversity, we prepare our pupils to be global citizens who respect and appreciate the world’s many languages and traditions.

Our Commitment to EAL Excellence at Hylands

At Hylands, we take great pride in being a Hub School for The Learning Village, a highly effective computer-based program designed to support children’s language development. As a Hub School, we not only utilize this platform to enhance our students' learning but also take on the responsibility of training other schools, equipping educators with the skills to maximize its impact in their own settings.

In recognition of our expertise and dedication to supporting pupils with English as an Additional Language (EAL), we have been designated a Beacon School for EAL within the borough. This means we work closely with Havering’s EAL advisory team, hosting regular visits from other schools to provide training, share best practices, and collaborate on strategies to ensure the best possible outcomes for EAL learners.

To further support our growing Ukrainian community, we have a dedicated Ukrainian tutor who visits weekly, focusing on both language acquisition and emotional well-being. Through initiatives such as Homes for Ukraine and Speak the World Tuition, we ensure that newly arrived Ukrainian students receive targeted support to help them integrate both academically and socially.

We also recognise the vital role of parental engagement in a child's educational journey. That’s why we host regular EAL Parent Coffee Mornings, offering families an opportunity to connect, learn about the resources available to them, and receive assistance with administrative tasks, ensuring they feel supported and welcomed within our school community.

To maintain a consistent and effective approach to supporting new arrivals, we conduct whole-staff training sessions, focusing not only on best practices for teaching EAL students but also on addressing their holistic needs. By fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment, we ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive.

A key asset in our EAL provision is our Designated EAL Room, a well-equipped space featuring an extensive range of dual-language resources, including digital tools, to support language development. This space is also frequently utilized by the HSIS EAL Advisor, who hosts network meetings with other schools, further strengthening collaboration and shared learning across the borough.

At Hylands, we are committed to empowering every EAL student with the skills, confidence, and support they need to succeed, while also working collaboratively with other schools to drive excellence in EAL education across our wider community.