About us
Service Description
(English as an Additional Language) service are a small team who the school calls upon if they think your child may need extra support in helping them acquire English. The school refers them to us having gained your permission. We assess the student before the support begins and then work with them, usually on a one-to-one basis for 45 – 60 minutes, on a weekly basis.
The support continues until the Staff member working alongside the class teacher deems that your child has made significant progress. A second assessment is then carried out to determine how much progress has been made. A report is then sent to schools which you can also access.
Throughout the school year we host coffee afternoons and events to celebrate the different languages and cultures in Knowsley. We hope that you will be able to join us, we will let you know about them on the school website. Knowsley Local Offer also has information on events.
https://www.knowsleyinfo.co.uk/content/eal-events
Some children when arriving at a new school may go through a ‘silent phase’. This means that they may not speak for the first 6/8 weeks. Please do not worry as they are adjusting to a new language and new routines.
Always speak in your first language at home. This needs to be fully developed before a child can learn a new language. OPOL – One Parent One Language.
It takes 2 years to learn social/playground language, it can take 5-7 years to learn academic language.
If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s English language, please inform the school contact Karen Foley Manager at karen.foley@knowsley.gov.uk
The main aims of the service are:
- Assess the language needs of new arrivals for whom English is an additional language; assessment report and to advise school colleagues on strategies to use to help the Child/Young Person (CYP) learn English in order to access the curriculum; INSET (In-service Education & Training) if required
- Give the learners direct support sessions or in-class support, if/as appropriate
- Help the EAL learners enhance their social skills so that they could integrate into school life successfully
- Raise cultural awareness within schools where there are learners of EAL
What support is available:
You can get materials from school to practise with your child at home or information on a range of courses, including where you may attend an Adult English for Speakers of Other Language (ESOL) course.
How you can help:
It is important that you help your child's cognitive development through the home language, whilst exposing them to English as often as possible.
- Age range - 5 - 16
- Referral procedure - Referral is usually via mainstream schools where the children are on roll
- Things to know - DBS Policy in place.
- Delivery period -January-December
Meet the Team
Karen Foley - Support Manager
Hi my name is Karen Foley and I am delighted to introduce myself as the new Support Manager for Knowsley.
Prior to this employment I worked for School Improvement Liverpool – EMTAS (Ethnic Minority Traveller Achievement Service). I worked there for several years gaining lots of different experiences working with staff, students and parents/carers.
I am passionate that all students should have the opportunity of an inclusive educational experience, especially learners who I represent.
During my teaching career I have held various positions of responsibility and encountered students of all ages, all abilities from a wide range of cultures and socio-economic backgrounds.
The teaching of learners is the responsibility of all and should be inherent in our planning and delivery.
My team and I can offer advice and guidance to you in improving the attainment of our learners.
We can give in class support as well as working on a 1:1 basis. We have a wide range of resources that will enable progress for the learner.
I look forward to meeting and working with you to ensure the best outcome for our students.
Quynh Chu Thu
Hello,
I’m Quynh. Originally from Vietnam, but I spent most of my life between Poland and England.
I studied Teaching English as a Second Language at university and spent a number of years teaching students of various age groups in different countries, hence I am familiar with culturally and linguistically diverse learners, especially as I was one of those learners myself when my family moved to Poland.
I feel very blessed to be part of the Knowsley team since 2017 and being able to continue my passion in working with children to enrich their life through the improvement of their language skills.
I look forward to welcoming and working with our children
Lorraine Brown
Hi,
I’m Lorraine and I have worked for the Knowsley team for over 14 years, supporting our learners in many primary and secondary schools across Knowsley.
Having studied French and Spanish at uni, I have always been passionate about languages and different cultures, so this is the perfect job for me!
I have also lived abroad where my sons attended a local French school; they were the only English boys there, so as a parent I do understand the challenges, as well as the many rewards, that our young learners experience.
As an Practitioner in Knowsley, my aim is to help our learners overcome their challenges too, so that they can fully enjoy and flourish in all aspects of school life.
Working with our learners is inspirational and such a privilege…and, of course, lots of fun too!
Rebecca Morris
Hello,
My name is Becci, I started working for Knowsley Council as an Practitioner in October 2006, I can’t believe it was that long ago!
I visit many schools in Knowsley and support children with English as an additional language on a 1-1 basis, in small groups and in the classroom. The children bring with them a wealth of knowledge and so many different cultural experiences which they share with us. Some of the children I visit are very new to English and it never fails to surprise me how quickly they learn, grow confidence and settle in school; it is so lovely to see and I feel very lucky to be able to support and work with the children who live in Knowsley.