News School is boosted by migrants
Goole and the East Riding have seen the biggest increase in migrant worker numbers outside London, a report to the East Riding of Yorkshire Council said recently.
The point was raised as East Riding councillors discussed support for children of migrant workers at school.
A survey carried out in the spring term of 2007 showed that there were 69 children of migrant workers attending schools in the Goole area.
The majority of them attend Boothferry Primary, and it is thought the school may have the highest number of children of migrant workers in the East Riding.
Head teacher Ros Williamson attended the meeting, and members heard that parents living outside the catchment area were choosing to send their children to the school because of the good support and assistance they knew they would receive.
The number of school places in Goole was reduced in 2005 and Boothferry Primary is beginning to reach capacity and is turning children away.
Officers agreed to monitor the number of school places available, but to take no action at present.
Members heard that the school's SATS results had been adversely affected, because the results of children of migrant workers can be discounted only for two years. The children tend to be more successful in maths.
Explaining the support provided by the school, Mrs Williamson said children and their parents were given the same induction process as other children to explain the school's policies, class organisation and lesson.
They tended to be accompanied by someone who could speak English, or migrant children already within the school helped them translate, she said.
Settling into the school was becoming easier as the number of migrant worker children at the school increased, as there was more chance of another child speaking the same language already being at the school.
At present, no funding has been made available by the government for the provision of support.
The only funding available from the council is £20,000 to £30,000 per year for pupils with English as an additional language, to be used on additional teaching support.
Provision has been made within the 2008-09 dedicated schools budget for pupils with English as an additional language, with pupils receiving £600 per pupil per year for two years.
It was agreed that officers should look into whether additional funding can be sought from the government or sources to help with support.
The situation will be reviewed again at the council's next meeting, on January 9.
Published on 3rd January 2008 in News.
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