THAMESIDE Primary School in Grays has been recognised for its outstanding support for pupils with English as an Additional Language (EAL) by receiving the prestigious Gold Quality Mark.

The accolade highlights the school's dedication to fostering an inclusive and high-achieving learning environment for all students, regardless of their linguistic background.

With 55% of its pupils identified as EAL learners and 58 languages spoken within the student body, Thameside has been described as a beacon of diversity and educational excellence.

Additionally, the school boasts a multilingual teaching staff fluent in 20 different languages, further enriching the learning experience and strengthening parental engagement.

Deputy Headteacher Jade Caton expressed immense pride in the school's inclusive ethos, emphasising the crucial role multilingual staff play in promoting inclusion, safeguarding pupils, and encouraging active parental involvement.

"We have established a strong reputation in the community for helping multilingual learners thrive academically, and this recognition is a testament to the dedication of our staff and students," she said.

Despite challenges posed by high student mobility—80 new pupils have enrolled this year alone—Thameside Primary ensures every child receives tailored support. Through a structured induction program, newly arrived students receive personalised assessments to track progress and close attainment gaps effectively.

The school's adaptive teaching strategies, aligned with the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) guidance, focus on modelling, scaffolding, and vocabulary development to help all learners excel.

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Community Governor and Trustee Mike Fall underscored the significance of EAL provision in the school's success. "Our commitment to multilingual education led us to recruit a specialist EAL teacher, Luba Lockwood, in 2023. Her expertise in curriculum-responsive teaching has strengthened our provision and ensured that every child, no matter their background, receives the support they need to succeed."

A recent Ofsted inspection praised Thameside Primary's dedication to student progress, stating that pupils "make secure progress from their different starting points."

Parents, too, have expressed gratitude for the school's commitment to supporting children with little or no English, with many eager to secure places for younger siblings due to the positive impact on their children's confidence and development.

Pupils themselves spoke highly of the supportive environment, highlighting the effectiveness of the school's buddy scheme and collaborative learning approaches. "Help is always available when we need it, and we enjoy learning together," said one student.