Language and cultural support

The Ethnic Minority Achievement Team (EMAT) works with Derby city schools, partners and voluntary organisations to improve access to the curriculum by:

• black and minority ethnic (BME) pupils at risk of underachievement
• pupils of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller heritages
• pupils who speak English as an additional language (EAL).

We offer:

• advice, guidance and support with meeting the needs of BME and EAL pupils
• support for initial language assessment
• one-to-one and group support for new arrivals with EAL and advanced bilingual learners
• support for BME pupils at risk of exclusion
• development of classroom teaching strategies including differentiation, planning and modelling of lessons
• customised in-school training
• centrally provided training for teachers and teaching assistants
• home school liaison support
• guidance for working with parents of BME pupils
• parents' surgery for Polish speaking parents
• GCSE support in community languages.

In addition to this, we also co-ordinate support for pupils with EAL needs attending schools in Derbyshire on behalf of Derbyshire County Council.

We seek to:

• facilitate the inclusion of BME pupils and those with EAL needs
• enhance the progress of targeted pupils
• support schools in raising standards
• increase professional awareness of and ability to address issues impacting on BME and EAL pupils
• ensure that inclusion and access remains at the forefront of our work.