In St Andrew’s RC Secondary School meeting the additional support needs of our young people is an inclusive, whole school approach. All teachers in the school are highly trained to meet the needs of the learners they work with on a daily basis.
For more targeted support, pupils can access the Support for Learning (SfL) Department which is a busy hub that specialises in meeting the needs of young people with additional support needs. The SfL team work with all stakeholders to ensure that all young people in St Andrew’s Secondary reach their full potential.
Assessment arrangements for prelims and SQA examinations are also formalised using readers and scribes. The PT, together with her team of support for learning workers, works cooperatively with classroom teachers to support identified pupils with their learning. Pupil progress is continuously monitored. The support team responds quickly to issues with learning and behaviour. Timetables are under constant review and change in response to pupils’ needs as they are identified.
About EAL
In St Andrew’s, we are proud to welcome learners from all over the world. Our school celebrates diversity and inclusion. We work hard to ensure that bilingual pupils feel that their bilingualism is recognised as a positive asset.
Presently, there are over 45 languages spoken in our school including: English, Lingala, Oromo, Albanian, German, Akan, Chichewa, Creole, Latvian, Dutch, Bini, Persian, Czech, Shona, Tagalog, Bemba, Tamil, Gambian, Swahili, Slovak, Ndebele, Urdu, Filipino, Georgian, Tigrigna, Mandarin, Portuguese, Yoruba, Polish, Italian, Somali, Igbo, Kurdish, Amharic, Gaelic, Krio, Cantonese, Wolof…
And we have pupils from: Scotland, England, Ireland, France, Algeria, Poland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Iran, Iraq, Syria, El Salvador, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Angola, Nigeria, Kurdistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Sudan, Hong Kong to name a few.
At present we have 4 teaching staff who work with our EAL students: Ms Glass, Ms Deeney, Mr Ali and Ms Ferguson. On arrival, pupils who speak other languages undertake an initial EAL assessment and the department plan how to best support the young person in developing their English language skills.
EAL staff in the school support pupils across the curriculum from S1 to S6, working in mainstream classes with subject teachers. They also support pupils in small tutorial groups.
National Qualifications in ESOL
Our staff also teach ESOL (‘English for Speakers of Other Languages’) at National 2, National 3, National 4, National 5 and Higher level. ESOL courses are for learners whose first language is not English. Learners develop their Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking skills in the English language. Scotland’s National Qualifications in ESOL correspond with levels A1 to C1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
EAL working with parents
EAL are present at all Parents’ Evenings.
If you wish to contact us at other times please phone Ms Glass, PT Support for Learning, on 0141 582 0240 and she will be happy to speak with you. An interpreter can be arranged, should you require one.
Home Language
The EAL Department would like to stress the importance of pupils continuing to use their own language at the same time as developing English skills.
Research has shown that it is important for pupils developing English skills to maintain their home language. Skills and concepts develop in the first language and are then transferred to the new language. Language is a vital part of our identity and important for self-esteem.
The following websites offer excellent advice regarding the support of young people with additional support needs:
Ms Glass (Principal Teacher Support for Learning) is always happy to have a discussion with a parent/carer in relation to their child’s progress. Please email here:
gw10glasseleanor@glow.ea.glasgow.sch.uk
