Management Information Sheet
Ensure language data is correct in October census to secure funding for EAL pupils
Funding is available for EAL pupils in their first three years after arrival in the UK. This funding is triggered by data from the October census, so it is very important that this data is accurately collected.
To correctly identify EAL pupils, please ensure that your school is using the following DfE definition:
'A first language, where it is other than English, is recorded where a child was exposed to the language during early development and continues to be exposed to this language in the home or in the community.'
This therefore includes children who are bilingual or have been born in the UK but have also been exposed to another language at home. Irrespective of competency in English, a child should be classified as EAL if they have had exposure to another language and they continue to be exposed to it.
EAL funding is triggered by data in the October census - the census date is Thursday 5 Oct.
In 2023/2024, this will be £1,565 for Secondary and £580 for Primary, per child per year for the first 3 years after the child's arrival in the UK.
For all children identified as EAL, please ensure that their correct first language (not English) is recorded in the FIRST LANGUAGE drop down list of your data system. If this does not have a comprehensive list of languages, please contact your provider to correct this. Often it requires a simple update.
To ensure you receive your full allocation of EAL funding and for NCC to have the correct data regarding languages spoken in Norfolk, please ensure that you check your census return and, as far as possible, avoid using the following categories.
- Believed to be English
- Information not Obtained
- Believed to be other than English
- Other language
- Other than English
Accurate language data also supports the work of the EAL/EDC Advisory Service, who can provide advice and training to your school all aspects of EAL provision. For details on the services we offer, please see our website English as an additional language (EAL) or contact inclusionandsend@norfolk.gov.uk