Windlesham House welcomes pupils from around the world. Our specialist EAL programme ensures international pupils develop English language skills quickly and confidently while fully participating in school life.
Through our EAL programme, we aim to improve English skills across all four key areas: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. We also develop understanding of English grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, and discourse structures. Our goal is for each child to function happily and successfully in both classroom and social situations.
It is very important to us that children from non-English speaking backgrounds start to communicate as soon as possible. This happens quickly as children make friends and join in Windlesham House life. We work on improving grammatical accuracy as children gain confidence with fluency.
Our EAL teaching is delivered by specialist teachers through bespoke one-to-one lessons and small group sessions. These focused sessions allow us to target specific language needs and provide intensive support matched to each pupil’s level.
Lesson content is tailored to individual needs and might include:
Individual learning plans ensure all teachers understand each EAL learner’s needs and appropriate support strategies. Our EAL teachers work closely with all subject teachers to monitor EAL learners, ensuring they can fully access the curriculum and gain necessary subject-specific support where needed.
In-class support might include:
As children progress through Windlesham House, the EAL department can assist with internal and external examinations. We provide examination technique guidance and support applications for access arrangements where appropriate. We also prepare pupils for Cambridge ESOL examinations if families wish to obtain formal English language qualifications.
To complement traditional learning methods, we organize cultural trips and experiences. This exposure to British life helps children apply language skills and gain deeper cultural understanding of their environment. From visiting museums and nature spots to watching shows and playing sport, children at Windlesham House are introduced to new experiences which enhance their understanding and embed language skills and knowledge.
Immersion in an English-speaking environment provides constant opportunities for language practice. Form groups and boarding houses are deliberately international, creating natural contexts for communication. Pupils develop genuine friendships across cultural and linguistic backgrounds, providing both motivation and opportunity for language development.
We celebrate our international community through assemblies, cultural days, and language showcases. Pupils share their home languages and cultures with peers, building mutual respect and understanding. This inclusive approach helps international pupils feel valued for their linguistic and cultural backgrounds while motivating them to develop English proficiency.
We welcome pupils at various stages of English language development. For very young pupils (Reception to Year 3), limited English is not a barrier as they learn language naturally through immersion alongside curriculum content.
For older pupils (Years 4 to 8), we typically require at least basic conversational English to ensure pupils can participate in lessons and form friendships quickly. During the admissions process, we assess English level and discuss appropriate support. Our experience shows that motivated pupils make rapid progress with good support structures.
Yes, individual and small group EAL lessons incur an additional charge. The cost depends on the frequency and number of lessons required per week. We discuss EAL needs and associated costs with families before pupils start. In-class support and differentiation are included in standard fees.
This varies considerably depending on starting English level, age, first language, and individual aptitude. Younger pupils typically achieve fluency within 1 to 2 years. Older pupils might need 2 to 3 years to develop academic English proficiency sufficient for independent learning. We review needs regularly and adjust provision accordingly.
Yes, many of our EAL pupils successfully gain places at competitive senior schools. We prepare them carefully for entrance examinations and work with senior schools to ensure they understand pupils’ language learning journeys. Some senior schools offer modified entrance procedures or additional language support, which we help families navigate.
We can enter pupils for Cambridge English qualifications (PET, FCE, CAE) which provide internationally recognized certification of English language proficiency. These qualifications can be valuable for future education or employment opportunities.
For conversation about your child’s English language level and appropriate support, please contact our Admissions team at admissions@windlesham.com or call +44 (0)1903 874700. We welcome international families and have extensive experience supporting pupils from diverse linguistic backgrounds.
