Before joining the school, we strongly encourage families to come and visit. This gives you the opportunity to get a feel for our school environment, meet some of our staff, and ask any further questions. We would be very pleased to arrange a tour at a time that suits you.

When children join our school, inclusion and developing a strong sense of belonging are central to our approach. We know how important it is for pupils who are new to English to feel welcomed, safe, and supported from the very beginning.

As part of our transition support, we run a buddy system within their class and encourage pupils to join our Young Interpreters buddy scheme. This allows us to pair new pupils with other children in the school who speak the same language. They meet regularly, and the scheme is a valuable way to help children who are new to English feel welcomed and settled. It helps them build confidence, navigate the school day, and feel part of the community quickly.

In terms of classroom support, we use a range of strategies to develop children’s language skills. After a settling‑in period, we assess all EAL (English Additional Language) pupils and use this information to identify the support they need. Depending on their age and level of English, this may include targeted interventions, scaffolded classroom tasks, or bilingual assistance. Each child’s needs are considered carefully on an individual basis.

We are also fortunate to have a wonderfully diverse school community, and we celebrate the many cultures and languages represented by our families throughout the year. Events such as our annual World Food Shares, Culture Day, and World Music Day play an important role in fostering pride, connection, and a sense of belonging.

We find that children who are new to the UK typically settle in very well, especially with the support of our staff, buddies, and wider school community.