This webinar will explore why schools must prioritise the language development of refugee pupils who have recently arrived in the UK.

As schools, academies, local authorities and multi-academy trusts have welcomed or are currently welcoming newly arrived pupils and their families from Afghanistan, Hong Kong and Ukraine, they have rightly focused their efforts on wellbeing challenges - such as trauma, grief anxiety, isolation and loneliness - as well as academic challenges. Unfortunately, this resettlement process is taking place at a time when English as an Additional Language is absent from policy initiatives, and expertise in EAL is much needed in education settings, so that schools can offer the kind of support that these pupils need as soon as they set foot in our system.

In this panel webinar moderated by Silvana Richardson, expert panellists will discuss the importance of promoting and accelerating the language development of newly arrived pupils as a fundamental aspect of the wider support given by schools as these pupils settle into life in the UK and our education system. Each speaker will focus on different relevant aspects including:
• Research findings regarding the link between proficiency in English and academic achievement.
• Refugee education.
• Policy.
• Practice in schools.

Speakers will include:
• Jo Hutchinson, Director for Social Mobility and Vulnerable Learners at the Education Policy Institute
• Catherine Gladwell, founder and Chief Executive of Refugee Education UK
• Diana Sutton, Director of The Bell Foundation
• Caroline Bruce, Training Manager, The Bell Foundation.