It looks like Devon Schools may be missing out on English as an additional language (EAL) funding through the school budget share, because they have not been recording children with EAL accurately in their October Census. Please see the message from the Inclusion Team below and ensure you maximise your income:
As the October Census approaches, it is crucial for schools to ensure the accurate recording of children with English as an additional language (EAL).
Children identified in the October census with a first language other than English attract funding for 3 years after they enter the statutory school system.
Accurate recording of children with EAL can influence the EAL funding your school receives. This is important for providing additional support and resource allocation. However, many EAL children are not recorded correctly, which means schools often miss out on this funding.
So how do we know if a child is EAL?
A child is recorded as having English as an additional language if she/he is exposed to a language at home that is known or believed to be other than English.
This could be;
- Children who arrived from other country and whose first language is not English
- Children who have lived in the UK for some time but speak another language at home
- Children who have been born in the UK, but whose first language is not English
By prioritising the accurate recording of EAL children in the October Census, schools can ensure that children with EAL receive the support they need to thrive academically and socially.
You can view how much EAL funding your school received this academic year through the public School budget calculator. Ensuring you are on the Summary tab before you enter your schools DfE number. If you would like advice on how to use this funding effectively and with the most impact, please view our EAL guidance.