Abbs Cross School, Commitment to Opportunity and Excellence
English as an Additional Language
Abbs Cross is a multicultural school, open towards 21st century multicultural opportunities.
Seven per cent of our pupils have English as an Additional Language and they come from very different backgrounds. These pupils contribute to the global vision of our school. Not only do they share their cultural and linguistic heritages with their peers, but they also contribute to the development of the learning process for EAL students via the process of Student Voice.
EAL pupils contribute to the Multicultural Week which takes place each year in March in collaboration with the London Borough of Havering Festival of Languages and Cultures. During Multicultural Week Abbs Cross offers multicultural workshops including African Drums, Bollywood Dance, Samba and Salsa tasters, African Dance and cooking workshops, a Multicultural Fashion Show and much more….
EAL pupils present their cultural heritage by means of displays, videos, class discussions, quizzes and themed assemblies.
We are committed to ensure that every child progress across the curriculum, and we challenge their learning with adapted strategies and resources such as dual language books, talking pens, and adapted literacy packs.
EAL pupils have a full induction programme with a personalised mentoring scheme.
They also have the opportunity to join mainstream lessons as well as benefiting from extra English lessons within the learning support system.
As part of the global vision for London and looking forward to the 2012 Olympiad, Abbs Cross is linked with other Local Authorities in London. We have developed a partnership between our pupils and pupils in Valentines High School in Ilford with the aim of sharing good practice and offering a better understanding of the multicultural capital city that is London.