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Training need for migrant pupils Training need for migrant pupils
(about 4 hours later)
Many schools in Wales are coping well with the children of migrant workers as the numbers being taught in Welsh education reaches an all-time high. A teaching union has called for more support to educate a record number of children of migrant workers in Wales.
But the education watchdog Estyn said some schools, especially Catholic ones, have faced difficulties. Education watchdog Estyn said while many schools are coping well, some have faced difficulties and more training was needed.
Its report said there is of a lack of good quality training to deal with the needs of migrant pupils. An estimated 2,000 children of migrant workers are taught in Welsh schools.
Around 2,000 children of migrant workers are thought to be taught in Welsh schools, most of them Polish. But NAHT Cymru said head teachers "strongly believe" this is a low estimate and this in turn makes it hard to provide enough support services.
Many others come from countries including Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia as well as China, India and the Philippines. As well as Polish migrants, many others come from countries including Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia as well as China, India and the Philippines.
Dr Bill Maxwell, chief inspector for education and training in Wales said: "Nearly all the schools that we sampled have good arrangements in place to provide learning experiences that meet the needs and interests of these children.Dr Bill Maxwell, chief inspector for education and training in Wales said: "Nearly all the schools that we sampled have good arrangements in place to provide learning experiences that meet the needs and interests of these children.
"Although in general there is not enough good quality specialist training available for mainstream teachers, support assistants and school co-ordinators responsible for teaching English as an additional language.""Although in general there is not enough good quality specialist training available for mainstream teachers, support assistants and school co-ordinators responsible for teaching English as an additional language."
We have great support from our local authority who give us additional help - it adds up to about half a teacher Colin Greenwood, head teacher, St David's RC Primary SchoolWe have great support from our local authority who give us additional help - it adds up to about half a teacher Colin Greenwood, head teacher, St David's RC Primary School
But the head teachers' union, NAHT Cymru, said it cast doubt on the figure of 2,000 migrant worker children.
Anna Brychan, director, said: "'There is a strong feeling amongst our members that these figures underestimate the real population and that this in turn makes it difficult to provide sufficient support services."
She said there needed to be more training for teachers, more bilingual support staff and more language specialists in particular.
"Our members know that these children can and do make a significantly positive contribution to Welsh life culturally and, in the future, economically," said Ms Brychan.
"We need more support to make sure that we can help them reach their potential."
The Estyn report said schools face a number of challenges in educating these children, including teaching them how to communicate.The Estyn report said schools face a number of challenges in educating these children, including teaching them how to communicate.
It also found that some 14, 15 and 16-year-olds often found it hard to complete homework because they had part-time jobs or were looking after younger brothers and sisters.It also found that some 14, 15 and 16-year-olds often found it hard to complete homework because they had part-time jobs or were looking after younger brothers and sisters.
Although their attendance levels and punctuality rates were good, the report found that a substantial number of students were being taken on extended holidays to their home country.Although their attendance levels and punctuality rates were good, the report found that a substantial number of students were being taken on extended holidays to their home country.
It also found that younger children did not go to school every day and it is thought this could be because early years education might not be on offer in the parents' home country.It also found that younger children did not go to school every day and it is thought this could be because early years education might not be on offer in the parents' home country.
The research was taken from school inspection reports compiled between 2007 and 2008.The research was taken from school inspection reports compiled between 2007 and 2008.
The report said the children who were sampled generally made good progress and achieved well, especially in maths.The report said the children who were sampled generally made good progress and achieved well, especially in maths.
But it also said that in some cases the sheer numbers that arrived at the school gates meant "that schools and support services have experienced considerable difficulties and, occasionally, find it difficult to cope."But it also said that in some cases the sheer numbers that arrived at the school gates meant "that schools and support services have experienced considerable difficulties and, occasionally, find it difficult to cope."
It said this is particularly true in Roman Catholic schools favoured by many migrant families because of their religious beliefs.It said this is particularly true in Roman Catholic schools favoured by many migrant families because of their religious beliefs.
Support staff crucialSupport staff crucial
City local authorities are best at providing the kind of help schools need, according to the report.City local authorities are best at providing the kind of help schools need, according to the report.
At St David's RC Primary School in West Cross in Swansea, head teacher Colin Greenwood said having good support staff is crucial to helping the newcomers fit in.At St David's RC Primary School in West Cross in Swansea, head teacher Colin Greenwood said having good support staff is crucial to helping the newcomers fit in.
"We have great support from our local authority who give us additional help - it adds up to about half a teacher. That support really makes a big difference," said Mr Greenwood."We have great support from our local authority who give us additional help - it adds up to about half a teacher. That support really makes a big difference," said Mr Greenwood.
Pupils at his school come from countries including the Philippines, China and India with many of their parents working at the city's hospitals.Pupils at his school come from countries including the Philippines, China and India with many of their parents working at the city's hospitals.
The school also has a buddy system where children are paired with pupils who can speak their home language. It's another way of helping the new arrivals fit in.The school also has a buddy system where children are paired with pupils who can speak their home language. It's another way of helping the new arrivals fit in.
The report makes 12 separate recommendations for the Welsh Assembly Government, local education authorities (LEAs) and schools.The report makes 12 separate recommendations for the Welsh Assembly Government, local education authorities (LEAs) and schools.
The assembly government should share the good practice evident in city authorities with all LEAs across Wales, says Estyn.The assembly government should share the good practice evident in city authorities with all LEAs across Wales, says Estyn.
It should also gather and share information on when and where migrant families are settling and local authorities should report on how the growing numbers of migrant children are impacting on the life of schools.It should also gather and share information on when and where migrant families are settling and local authorities should report on how the growing numbers of migrant children are impacting on the life of schools.