Teach Secondary 13.5

EMBRACING DIVERSITY Thistley Hough Academy, nestled in Stoke-on-Trent, is more than just a secondary school with EAL (English as an Additional Language) requirements; it’s a vibrant tapestry of diversity. Heading up the secondary school’s EAL provision is Alice Legaska, who proudly states that, “ At our school, we celebrate diversity, with over 40 different languages spoken among our students. ” However, diversity comes with a unique set of challenges. Language barriers can prevent students – who may arrive not just at the start or end of the academic year, but throughout – frommaking academic progress and integrating socially. The school’s principal, Noel Kennedy, is enthusiastic about addressing EAL challenges: “ Our mission is to ensure every student, regardless of their linguistic background, gets the best possible education. ” ADDRESSING CHALLENGES FlashAcademy® is a digital learning platform designed to support EAL students in accelerating their English language acquisition. Students can develop key skills via interactive lessons and games, with teachers easily able to monitor their progress and conduct regular assessments. The platform has played a vital role in Thistley Hough Academy’s response to the complex challenges posed by the ever-evolving EAL landscape. The school uses FlashAcademy® to weave learning interventions seamlessly into its curriculum. Alice elaborates: “ Our EAL provision incorporates FlashAcademy® into lessons and intervention sessions.Whether accessed in the classroom, during one-on-one sessions or as homework, FlashAcademy® caters to our students’ language learning needs. “ We’re lucky to have FlashAcademy® as our main resource. It helps students access language skills – speaking, listening, reading, and writing – that are crucial for their everyday lives. ” MEASURABLE SUCCESS The success of Thistley Hough Academy’s EAL approach isn’t just anecdotal – it’s quantifiable. Students at the school undergo EAL assessments hosted within FlashAcademy® itself. The resulting data then becomes a compass, guiding educators in how to tailor their EAL teaching strategies to students’ individual needs. The subsequent impact has been staggering, with more than 95% of EAL students making tangible progress using FlashAcademy® and its assessment features. As Noel explains, “ What we’re trying to develop is the skill set of our staff to meet the needs within the classroom. FlashAcademy® provides us with valuable reports and assessment data to inform key strategies for each individual across various subjects, allowing them to access the curriculummore effectively. ” Thistley Hough Academy’s journey with FlashAcademy® exemplifies the real difference that can be made in the lives of EAL learners. The platform becomes a catalyst for unlocking their potential, ensuring that language need never be a barrier to limitless possibilities. Contact: team@flashacademy.com flashacademy.com/secondary-schools THE PLACE: Thistley Hough Academy is a secondary school in Stoke- on-Trent. With 40+ home languages spoken, the school embraces the rich cultural mosaic its students and community embody. THE CHALLENGE: 40% of Thistley Hough Academy’s school population comprises students from different countries and nationalities. Providing effective support for every student is a vital challenge that the school actively embraces. Thistley Hough Academy and FlashAcademy® A collaborative journey towards EAL excellence TECH IN ACTION FlashAcademy® is the UK’s number 1 EAL platform, now used by over 250,000 learners to accelerate English language acquisition. Interested in improving your own school’s EAL provision? Find out how you can start your journey by accessing a free trial a t flashacademy.com Did we mention? PA R T N E R C O N T E N T 71 teachwire.net/secondary