EAL Hub | Primary

Connecting communities, empowering families.

EAL Hub​

Connecting communities, empowering families.

🛬 Support for Newly Arrived Families: A Guide for EAL Parents (Primary School) 

Starting school in a new country can feel exciting but also challenging. UK primary schools provide support for newly arrived families to help children settle in and feel comfortable in their new environment. This guide explains what to expect and how to help your child adjust. 

1. First Steps When Your Child Starts School

When your child joins a primary school in the UK, there are a few important steps to take: 

  1. Attend the school welcome meeting – Schools often invite new families to an induction session where they explain school routines, expectations, and support available. 
  1. Meet the EAL Coordinator – The school will check your child’s English level and explain how they can support their language development. 
  1. Get the correct school uniform – Make sure your child has the right uniform, PE kit, and school bag. Some schools have second-hand uniform options to help families. 
  1. Understand school timings and daily routines – Learn when school starts, finishes, and how break and lunchtime work. 
  1. Set up communication with the school – Ensure the school has your correct phone number and email so you don’t miss important messages. 

💡 Hint: If you need help with school forms, emails, or policies, ask the school office for assistance or translation support. 

Primary schools have different ways to support newly arrived children and EAL students to help them feel welcome and confident. 

EAL Support in Primary School 

✔ English language assessments – The school will check your child’s understanding of English. 
✔ Extra English support – Some schools offer small-group lessons or one-on-one help for EAL students. 
✔ Bilingual dictionaries & visual aids – Teachers may use pictures, word lists, or translation tools to help children understand lessons. 

Helping Children Settle In 

✔ Buddy system – Your child may be paired with another student to help them get used to school. 
✔ Warm and inclusive classrooms – Teachers encourage all children to be friendly and welcoming. 
✔ Simple routines – Younger children learn best through structure and repetition, which helps them feel safe. 

💡 Hint: Encourage your child to speak and play with other children, even if their English is not perfect – making friends will help them learn faster! 

  1. Language Barrier
  • 🗣 Learning English takes time – encourage your child to practise speaking and listening daily. 
  • 📚 Read simple English books together, even if you also read in your home language. 
  • 🏫 Ask the school if they have EAL-friendly resources for home learning. 
  1. Understanding School Rules & Expectations
  • 🏫 Schools have rules on uniform, attendance, behaviour, and mobile phone use (phones are usually not allowed in primary school). 
  • 📅 Ensure your child arrives on time every day – missing lessons makes learning harder. 
  1. Making Friends
  • 🤝 Encourage your child to join playgroups, lunchtime clubs, or after-school activities. 
  • 🌍 Many UK schools are diverse – reassure your child that they are not alone in learning English. 
  1. Homework & Reading
  • 📖 Schools expect parents to support their child with reading and basic homework. 
  • 📕 If English is difficult, you can still read together in your home language – strong first language skills help with learning English. 

💡 Hint: If your child is struggling, speak to their teacher or EAL Coordinator – they are there to help! 

How Can I Stay Involved in My Child’s Education? 

✔ Attend Parents’ Evenings to meet teachers and discuss progress. 
✔ Read school newsletters and emails for important updates. 
✔ Ask the school for translated materials or interpreter support if needed. 
✔ Speak to the teacher or EAL Coordinator if you have concerns about your child’s learning. 

Who Can I Speak to If I Need Help? 

  1. Class Teacher – First contact for any concerns about your child’s progress. 

  2. EAL Coordinator – Helps children learning English as an additional language. 

  3. Headteacher or Deputy Head – Manages the school and supports parents. 

  4. School Office – Can help with forms, payments, and general enquiries. 

  5. Community Support Groups – Some areas have parent networks or cultural groups for newly arrived families. 

💡 Hint: Schools in the UK encourage parent involvement, so don’t hesitate to ask questions or seek support. 

📌 Key Takeaways for Newly Arrived Families 

  1. Attend the school induction and check uniform requirements before your child starts. 

  2. EAL support is available – Schools offer language assessments, extra lessons, and classroom support. 

  3. Encourage your child to practise English, join activities, and make friends to help them settle in. 

  4. Stay involved by attending Parents’ Evenings, checking school emails, and talking to teachers. 

  5. Ask for help if needed – Schools and community services are there to support your family. 

Starting at a new school can take time, but your child is not alone – teachers and staff are here to help every step of the way! 😊 

Understanding the British Education System

School Stages: Nursery, Reception, Years 1-6 

  • Subjects Taught: English, maths, science, and additional subjects like art, PE, and history 
  • Assessments & Tests: 
  • Phonics Screening (Year 1) – Tests early reading skills. 

SATs (Year 2 & Year 6) – Standardised assessments for progress checks. 

Understanding the School Stages in Primary School 

In the UK, primary school is for children aged 4 to 11 years old. It is divided into two key stages: 

  • Key Stage 1 (KS1) – Years 1 & 2 (ages 5-7) 
  • Key Stage 2 (KS2) – Years 3 to 6 (ages 7-11) 

Each stage builds on children’s learning to prepare them for the next level of education. Below is a guide to what happens at each stage, what children learn, and how parents can support them. 

🟡 Reception (Age 4-5) – Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

What happens? 

  • Reception is the first year of primary school, focusing on learning through play and structured activities. 
  • Children develop early skills in speaking, listening, reading, writing, and basic maths. 
  • Social and emotional development is key at this stage. 

What do children learn? 

  • Recognising letters and simple words (phonics). 
  • Counting, recognising numbers, and simple addition/subtraction. 
  • Learning to listen, follow instructions, and share with others. 

How parents can help: 
✔ Read with your child every day. 
✔ Encourage them to talk about their day and ask questions. 
✔ Practise counting and recognising numbers in everyday life (e.g., counting toys, reading numbers on doors). 

What happens? 

  • More structured learning begins, with a focus on reading, writing, maths, and science. 
  • Children take their first national assessments in Year 1 and Year 2. 

What do children learn? 

  • English: Learning to read fluently, writing full sentences, and improving spelling. 
  • Maths: Basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. 
  • Science: Exploring plants, animals, seasons, and simple experiments. 
  • Other subjects: Art, music, PE, history, geography, and computing. 

Important assessments: 
📌 Phonics Screening Test (Year 1) – Tests children’s ability to read words using phonics (the sounds that letters make). 
📌 Year 2 SATs – Assess reading, writing, and maths to check progress. 

How parents can help: 
✔ Listen to your child read daily. 
✔ Practise simple spelling and writing activities. 
✔ Use number games to build confidence in maths. 

  1. What happens? 

    • Children build on what they learned in KS1 and study more complex topics. 
    • They become more independent learners. 

    What do children learn? 

    • English: Writing longer stories and reports, using correct grammar and punctuation. 
    • Maths: Fractions, decimals, percentages, and problem-solving. 
    • Science: Electricity, forces, the human body, and scientific investigations. 
    • Other subjects: Languages (from Year 3), history, geography, art, music, PE, computing. 

    Important assessments: 
    📌 Year 4 Multiplication Check – Tests knowledge of times tables up to 12×12. 
    📌 Year 6 SATs – National tests in reading, maths, spelling, punctuation, and grammar. These help decide which level of support children need in secondary school. 

    How parents can help: 
    ✔ Encourage reading and discussing books together. 
    ✔ Help with times tables and maths practice at home. 
    ✔ Talk to teachers if your child needs extra support. 

Summary of Primary School Stages

Stage 

Year Group 

Ages 

Description  

Main Learning Focus 

Key Tests 

Nursery 

 

 

 

 

3-4 years 

Pre-school education focusing on play-based learning. 

 

 

Reception 

 

4-5 years 

The first year of school, where children learn basic reading, writing, and maths skills. 

None 

 

Key Stage 1 

Year 1 

5-6 years 

Introduction to structured lessons in English, maths, and other subjects. 

Phonics, basic reading, writing, and maths 

Phonics Screening Check 

 

Year 2 

6-7 years 

Continued learning with a focus on reading, writing, and problem-solving. 

Reading fluency, writing sentences, simple maths 

Year 2 SATs 

Key Stage 2 

Year 3 

7-8 years 

More independent learning, advanced writing, and maths skills. 

Independent reading, writing paragraphs, fractions 

None 

 

Year 4 

8-9 years 

Times tables and deeper subject knowledge. 

Times tables, more complex grammar, science experiments 

Multiplication Check 

 

Year 5 

9-10 years 

Preparation for secondary school, advanced comprehension, and reasoning. 

Preparing for secondary school, advanced writing and maths 

None 

 

Year 6 

10-11 years 

Final primary school year, preparing for transition to secondary school. 

Final primary school stage, advanced problem-solving 

Year 6 SATs