When a new family arrives, ensure you book an interpreter (if needed) and provide a tour of the school. Allow time to prepare so that there is a smooth transition and a positive start to their new school life.
Suggested process
- Pupil/family arrives at school and requests school place or School Admissions Team contacts school about new arrival.
- School office staff obtain basic admissions information, if possible.
- School office arranges a date for the parent or carer to meet head or admissions staff or EAL coordinator for parent interview and tour of the school. Set a date for the pupil to start school, ensuring that this is after the parent interview date.
- School to familiarise themselves with the English as an additional language (EAL) guidance (March 2023)
- If necessary, arrange interpreting support for the meeting or interview – complete a Bilingual support and interpreter booking form.
- Inform class teacher of pupil’s name and start date. Give class teacher the EMTAS induction checklist and EAL Proficiency Assessment Tool/Induction pack.
- Conduct parent interview on the agreed date, using the EMTAS induction interview checklist and register the new arrival with EMTAS.
- Take pupil and family on a tour of the school, explain uniform requirements, school meals, arrangements for trips, term dates, equipment and PE requirements. Give parents the opportunity to ask questions.
- Introduce pupil/family to class teacher. If convenient, introduce pupil to new classmates. Give parents a copy of weekly timetable (with visuals if possible).
- Pass pupil record information to class teacher or request bilingual support for induction (if needed).
- Pupil starts school.