The Virtual School for children who have English as an additional language

The Virtual School provides support for children who speak English as an additional language (EAL) and for those who have resettled from overseas, also known as international new arrivals

Support for new arrivals

When a child arrives in the UK from abroad, as a minimum the Virtual School will:

• help families complete school application forms
• submit the forms to our admissions team

After this, schools will follow their own admissions procedures.

Support for resettled families

If a child arrives under the UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS) or the Afghan Resettlement Scheme, the Virtual School will provide up to five days of support per child.

Additional support through a service level agreement (SLA)

Schools can buy into an EAL Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the Virtual School for further support. This includes:

• a welfare check by the resettlement team, including sharing ID and contact details with the Virtual School
• help completing school application forms and collecting relevant background information to share with the school (usually done in the HUB provision)
• a full assessment of each child, with a short report and educational recommendations
• use of SLA time to support the child in school, in the HUB, or through Virtual School professionals

Transition support for primary-aged international new arrivals

The Education Hub, known as The Hub, was created by us to support children who have resettled from overseas.

What The Hub offers

The Hub provides a nurturing and educational environment to help children resettle from overseas and prepare for mainstream school. It focuses on developing:

• social and emotional skills
• basic academic skills
• confidence and readiness for school life

The aim is to help each child reach their full potential.

Who delivers the support?

Lynnfield Primary School has been commissioned by us to deliver this support.

Who can attend?

• all primary-aged children resettled in Hartlepool under the UK Resettlement Schemes are eligible for a funded place at The Hub
• other primary-aged international new arrivals or asylum seekers may attend if their school purchases a place through an EAL Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the Virtual School

How to access The Hub

When a family is resettled in Hartlepool:

1. an application is made for a school place at the parents’ preferred school
2. the child must be on roll at a school to attend The Hub
3. parents will be asked if they would like their child to have a period of intensive support within The Hub
4. if parents agree, the home school can make a referral