Consultation on changes to the delivery of the English as an Additional Language Service (EALS) - Survey for Schools
Results updated 26 Feb 2019
There were three survey consultations on proposed changes to the delivery of English as an Additional Language Service (EALS) to: to pupils (131 responses) ; to parents/carers and community stakeholders (162 responses); and to schools (95 responses).
During the period of consultation with pupils, parents, community and schools, the Secondary Schools reversed their earlier decision and have agreed to pool EAL funding for the 2019/20 financial year. This means that the EAL service can continue to operate, as delivered by East Sussex County Council, until March 2020.
The secondary and primary schools have agreed the funding for one year with a commitment to work with the Local Authority and consider alternative options for service delivery to maintained schools and academies, from 2020 onwards. The funding for the service will continue to be provided by the schools as the responsibility for EAL pupils remains with them and they receive in their budgets funding from the DfE for this purpose.
A full discussion will be undertaken with schools and the EALS service to identify possible alternatives to closure, which will be presented to the Schools Forum in June 2019.
Overview
Following changes that were agreed at Schools’ Forum with regard to funding the support for children with English as an Additional Language (EAL), East Sussex County Council is in the position where we need to consider closing the English as an Additional Language Service (EALS). Instead, schools will be required to directly provide this support themselves in line with their statutory duties for this group of children.
If the proposal goes ahead, East Sussex County Council will provide schools with online advice, information and guidance about how best to support pupils with EAL in schools and suggest services that can provide translation and interpretation support. We will no longer be able to provide a direct support service to schools.
Why your views matter
We want to hear your school’s views about this proposal. Your views will help us to understand the potential impact and find out what could be done to help schools address these.
We will tell you the final decision about the proposal in February 2019.
How to take part in this consultation
The consultation runs from 28 November 2018 to 3 February 2019. We would like to hear from you whether or not you currently use EALS and how your school proposes to support children with EAL in the future. There is a separate consultation for pupils, parents, carers and the wider community. (https://consultation.eastsussex.gov.uk/childrens-services/copy-of-copy-of-copy-of-copy-of-youth-cabinet-tell/)
Areas
- All Areas
Audiences
- Anybody with an interest
- Stakeholders
- People who use our services
Interests
- Race
- Children and young people
- Support for parents, carers and young people
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