Support for Multi Lingual Learners 

At Marshgate we strongly believe speaking more than one language is an asset and, as a school with over forty languages spoken, we are proud of our diversity.  Through teaching and learning we provide extra support for those who need it to achieve competence and then fluency in all aspects of using English and we are well used to helping new children settle happily whilst also coming to terms with the finer details of another language.  Support is provided within the classroom through carefully planned activities and at times new children may work in smaller groups with a qualified support teacher. As well as this, children receive specific support in class to integrate fully into the school community and to be able to fully access the excellent learning within Marshgate.

We are very proud of our language learning curriculum at Marshgate. Although only a statutory programme of study from Year 3 (Key Stage Two), we have always chosen to teach French in the classroom from Year 1 (Key Stage One). Our aim is to provide a high-quality education that fosters a love for learning languages and develops the skills necessary for effective communication in French. We work towards incorporating transferable language learning skills such as phonological awareness and language learning strategies so that when pupils leave Marshgate, they can take these acquired skills with them regardless of the language they choose to learn at secondary school.

We also aim to instil an appreciation and love for other cultures and languages. A highlight of the Marshgate calendar is International Week in the spring term, where we take the opportunity to recognise our diverse community of languages and cultures. Children often focus on a different country in each class, as well as other cultural activities during the week. The week then culminates with an International Food Market in the school hall that the children all visit and enjoy, and the whole school community comes together in celebration.