The Department for Education’s (DfE) Curriculum and Assessment Review presents a significant opportunity to improve outcomes for secondary school students who use English as an additional language (EAL).
With more than 1.7 million students in England speaking a first language other than English – including 18.6% of all secondary students (DfE, 2024) – it is imperative that the needs of these learners are fully considered in any forthcoming reforms.
The need for action is particularly urgent for students who arrive late to the education system and are new to English or at the early stages of English acquisition.
Research by Strand and Lindorff (2021) highlights that without significant additional support, these learners are likely to struggle to access the curriculum, as English is the medium of instruction in schools.
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