Induction of new pupils

Welcoming International New Arrival Children (INAs) to Salford 

International New Arrival Children may arrive at your school at any time of the year and in any year  group. Ensuring that we give these children and families the warmest welcome possible is very important as they will be going through a lot of change in their lives. Empathy and understanding is needed in terms of their English Proficiency, knowledge of the UK education system and settling in to their new communities. 

Admission meeting 

If the new arrival family are struggling to communicate in English and have no one to support them, then the school should book an interpreter for the initial admission meeting. Salford EMTAS will fund an interpreter for the initial admission meeting for maintained schools and academies with an SLA. Please email emtas@salford.gov.uk 

The meeting should include the following: 

• Find out family situation and full educational background of the child
• Find out if the family have any particular vulnerabilities and may need wider support from Early Help/Local Charities 
• Find out any relevant medical background
• Find out if the child is fluent/literate in their home language
• Reassure parents that using the first language at home is fine
• Find out any interests/hobbies of the child
• Share this information with teaching and support staff
• Explain school day, routines and expectations of school
• Provide a translated welcome booklet or an abridged version if possible in plain English with lots of visuals
• Give the child/family a tour of the school supported with a virtual tour/labelled photos if possible
• Provide a visual timetable for the pupil
• Reassure parents that information they tell the school will be confidential and explain about the difference in methods and how the support is going to take place 

Induction 

Many new arrival pupils need a lot of emotional and language support so that they can settle down in the new school environment and become effective learners in as short a time as possible.

• When they arrive for their first day it's essential that the background information is shared with staff involved with their support
• Introduction of the new child to the class, showing interest in their own culture and language
• Find them a 'buddy' or a 'new arrival ambassador' same language speaker if possible
• Give the pupil some helpful induction information, to make them as comfortable as possible in the new environment
• Sit them close to the teacher and provide basic classroom material
• Involve them in every activity as they will learn some skills from observing other children
• Give them some sort of visual prompts to help them when faced with social situations

For more information please contact EMTAS on 0161 778 0410 or email emtas@salford.gov.uk.

This page was last updated on 27 June 2024