ESOL support at Rangiora Borough School

At Rangiora Borough School we understand the importance of children feeling very secure and safe so that they can learn and have the confidence to contribute. Children are immersed in English and supported to ensure they make ongoing progress with their English Language acquisition and also with all areas of the curriculum.

Children learn at their own pace. Confidence comes when they feel secure and have success with their learning. It is not uncommon for a child to have an initial ‘silent period’, when they are observing and understanding their new school setting before they feel confident to contribute. Teachers are very sensitive to each child’s needs.

We work in partnership with parents. Teachers will keep parents informed about a child’s learning and well-being and we encourage parents to come and be part of our school community and engage with your child’s learning.

Acronyms:

ESOL - English for Speakers of Other Languages - this is the learning, the teaching that supports your child.

ESOL learning has 4 focus areas:

Oral language: speaking and listening

Processing print: reading and writing

ELL - English Language Learners - this is the learner, the child.

For our ELL children we have the following supports and structure:

• Starting school: Students are placed in a class with their peers and set up with a buddy for support. Class teachers monitor the child’s well-being in the first few weeks to ensure they make friends and feel safe at school.

• Initial assessment: Within the first few weeks ELL children will be assessed to understand their level of English and what support they may require.

• There are layers of support to ensure progress and well-being of each child:

  • Tier One: Leadership team monitor all children’s progress and ensure teachers have the resources they require.

  • Tier Two: ESOL is part of the class programme and teachers will adapt and adjust learning to support each child's oral language (speaking and listening)

  • Tier Two: ELA. Our English Language Assistant works to assist children in the class setting as requested by their teachers

  • Tier Three: When required some additional support may be required. We have staff employed to work with children who require additional support. This will be for intensive blocks of support and timetabled as part of the regular learning opportunities.

If you have questions about your child’s learning, then your class teacher is the first person to contact, you are also welcome to contact team leaders or Jo Pasley, our Deputy Principal and SENCO.

Shane Buckner

Principal