Abingdon is proud of its diverse pupil base.
Over 90% of Abingdon’s pupils are of non-white-British ethnicity. Many of the children are second and third generation Pakistani, speaking Urdu in the home, however, there are actually over 40 different languages spoken by families in school. As a result, the EAL needs of the pupils range from those needing little to no differentiation, to those who have no experience of schooling and with no knowledge of English at all. Developing pupils’ vocabulary is a focus across school.
For the children who are new to the country, an informal language assessment informs the EAL specialist as to which initial provision the child needs to access when they start school. All children up to Year 1 integrate into the mainstream classes. From Year 2, those children needing significant extra support, attend the INA (International New Arrivals) Hub each morning. Here their education focuses on development of the English language and on the teaching of the basic skills needed for them to return to the mainstream class. In the afternoons, these children integrate into mainstream classes where teachers differentiate for their needs.
Abingdon Primary School uses The Bell Foundation to assess new EAL learners.
The Abingdon ARCH reinforces the inclusive nature of our school: everyone is equal and diversity is celebrated.
