Support confirmed for education policy on English as an Additional Language in the Highlands

20th May 2010

A new policy and guidance on English as an additional language will be introduced in schools and educational establishments throughout the Highlands.

Members of The Highland Council's Education, Culture and Sport Committee welcomed the new policy which aims to provide a plan of action for the appropriate education of pupils for whom English is an additional language.

Approximately 1,000 pupils in Highland schools have English as an additional language, the majority 80% of whom are in the Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey area. This does not include children for whom Gaelic is their first language.

There are around 69 languages other than English spoken in the Highland Council area mainly: Polish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Tagalog, Chinese, Tai and Russian.

The policy and guidance will support schools and educational establishments to meet obligations regarding the planning and delivery of inclusive, effective teaching and learning and also for the assessment and review procedures which comply with Getting it Right for Every Child.

Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of The Highland Council's Education, Culture and Sport Committee said: "We hope that the application of this policy will make families feel welcomed in our schools and that pupils needs will be fulfilled through well supported staff."

The Policy and Guidance on English as an Additional Language will be available on the council's website at www.highland.gov.uk