English as an Additional Language
At St. Paul & St. Timothy’s Catholic Infant School, we aim to ensure that we meet all the needs of children who use English as an additional language.
We welcome and celebrate all children and we value the cultural, linguistic and educational experiences that pupils who use EAL bring to the school. We endeavour to support our children as they make progress and new friends in our school.
Our children who use EAL come from very diverse backgrounds from around the world and some children who use EAL were born in the UK speaking a language other than English. All children meet their new teachers and classmates and where possible we arrange with EMTAS (Ethnic Minority Traveller Achievement Service) to provide additional assistance during the settling-in process.
Each September all parents/carers of children who use EAL are invited to a coffee morning to meet our EAL lead, Mrs Blackburn and Gill Rowlands from EMTAS. This gives parents/carers the opportunity to ask any questions concerning the curriculum and/or school life.
EMTAS phone number: 0151 233 3901
Asylum Link Merseyside Phone Number – 0151 709 1713
EAL Coffee Morning:
Our annual EAL Coffee Morning was hosted in September, by Mrs Blackburn and attended by Gill Rowlands from EMTAS. Parents of children who use EAL were able to ask questions and chat with each other. Connections were made and it was great to see the meeting so well attended.
School of Sanctuary
At St. Paul & St. Timothy’s Catholic Infant School, we aim to ensure that we have a safe and welcoming place for those seeking sanctuary.
What is a School of Sanctuary?
A School of Sanctuary is a school that is committed to being a safe and welcoming place for those seeking sanctuary. It is a space for those whose lives were in danger in their own country, who have troubles at home or who are just looking for a space where they can feel safe.
A School of Sanctuary is a school that helps its students, staff and wider community understand what it means to be seeking sanctuary and to extend a welcome to everyone as equally valued members of the school community.
It is a school that is proud to be a place of safety and inclusion for all.
Why become a School of Sanctuary?
We are proud to have achieved School of Sanctuary accreditation. We are committed to ensuring that our children learn and understand what it means to seek sanctuary and the difficulties asylum seekers and refugees face.
Our curriculum ensures that there are opportunities to learn, understand and take actions around the themes of human rights as well as diversity, inclusion, refuge and migration.
Who is involved in the School of Sanctuary?
To achieve the School of Sanctuary award involved the whole school:
- Governors were fully supportive of our commitment as a school community to achieve School of Sanctuary status
- Staff continue to be involved both as subject leaders and middle leaders in the delivery of an excellent curriculum which supports this ethos
- We listened to requests and ideas from our families to enrich the curriculum
- Parents are kept informed of the work surrounding the School of Sanctuary accreditation via the website and the App on a regular basis
- We have also developed ways to engage the wider community
- We have regular special themed timetabled days to focus specifically on learning about refugees and asylum seekers
Our School of Sanctuary Co-ordinator is Mrs Blackburn.
Recent Events
Levi Tafari (Poet)
Visited the school and delivered an assembly to KS1. He then worked with all Year 2 children to create their own poems.
Donna Palmer (EMTAS)
Delivered her Rainbow Smiles sessions to Year 1 children. These sessions celebrate similarities and differences
Noor Mohamed (Asylum Link)
Delivered an assembly for KS1 children. This was part of our refugee week.
