Management Information Sheet

Join the Norfolk group of schools setting up the Young Interpreters scheme

MI Sheet TypeInformation
MI Number:98/21
Publication Date:18/06/2021 12:00:00
LA Contact:tanya.ingram@norfolk.gov.uk (01603 303339)
Audience:Heads, SLT, Inclusion Leads, EAL Co-ordintor, Pastoral Leads

Join the Norfolk group of schools setting up the Young Interpreters scheme

The EAL Advisory Service would like to invite your school to take part in the Young Interpreters scheme which we are setting up in Norfolk, in collaboration with Hampshire EMTAS who designed the initial scheme.

We are holding a brief information session on 29 June at 3.30 to 4.20pm in which we will explain the scheme fully and take questions, and a school which has taken part in Young Interpreters before will share their experience.

You can still participate in the scheme even if you can't attend the information session. Tanya Ingram is available to answer any questions you have and to send more information.

What is the Young Interpreters scheme?

The scheme is aimed at Primary and Secondary school children, and involves a group of pupils who have an empathetic outlook in welcoming new arrivals to the school and supporting them during their induction period, as well as with ongoing social situations around school. Most of the participants have another language and can act as an "interpreter", showing the child around, explaining cultural differences, how school procedures work etc. They are a friendly face to help out during those first few weeks. Some Young Interpreters may be monolingual, but have an understanding and sympathetic manner and the scheme allows them to be acknowledged for their willingness to help. The Young Interpreters involved also feel as though their language skills and abilities are being utilised and valued.

The school, through the Young Interpreter scheme, undertakes to train the young people using the resources provided, ensuring safeguarding protocols are met, for example using Language Line or other INTRAN services to interpret personal data, difficult situations etc, not the young people. Often the Young Interpreters meet together to prepare resources that can help a new arrival such as maps of the school site, useful visual, translated lists for science or maths etc, list of clubs, and other useful resources.

More information

The cost is �70 to join the scheme and have access to the Training Moodle.

We will arrange a free Young Interpreter networking meeting in the new year, for participating schools to attend, if they wish, to share their experiences and support each other.

For details on joining the scheme and to receive the TEAMS meeting link for 29 June, please contact Tanya.ingram@norfolk.gov.uk.