School refusing to provide translator

The school is right. They have given parents who don't speak English the opportunity to learn (which they should anyway, to support their kids here) and are offering alternatives anyway.
Better use of scant resources.

I’m with the head. The letters are not ‘already written’ as every time a letter goes out adjustments will need to be made so producing things in multiple language is a big admin task. School budgets are stretched enough without wasting money on parents who can’t be bothered to learn English. It’s not a disability, they have chosen to come to UK. The school is providing English lessons as do many other organizations, for free. Assuming you aren’t in Wales this is a single language country. The kids will benefit far more from parents who are able to integrate into the society they live in rather than state institutions pandering to multiculturalism and perpetuating barriers.

Sounds like there’s a big problem with the new head

Good point.

I don’t think many people realise that the pupil premium funding that the school is getting is because of these children from EAL families esp when you are saying majority of the school is EAL. I would take this to the school governors meeting

The thing is, this problem is SO endemic at the school, across so many nationalities. They cannot all have dyslexia/LD/PTSD whatever.
FWIW I'd be for translators if, for example the area has had an influx of refugees.

But half the languages OP mentioned are spoken by people from poor, but not dangerous countries.. Some like Polish/Romanians are in a better position than British people, they can go anywhere with their EU passport. It's disingenuous to suggest they have 'no choice but to move country'. In fact, we keep hearing on MN about how shit the UK is and how 'Europe' is better.

Perhaps instead of getting into a tussle about who needs it it's better for the head to withdraw ALL support and let the respective bodies deal with it. Refugees for example should be getting refugee support for all aspects of life, nothing to do with the school. Those who just moved here for economic reasons - well if you can't learn then just move back.

Especially as to get a UK visa you need to have a certain level of English competence - so clearly, they should be able to understand.

Doesn't matter - they won't be earning enough to pay tax anyway. Their income is great in our home currency but a pittance in the UK.

Ok discourage them. I actually know older Pakistani and Indian women who’ve been the victims of forced, not arranged marriages, both now divorced and strongly against forced and arranged marriages. One of the women is a counsellor for abused Pakistani and Indian women and men. I also know a slightly younger (40 years old) victim of a marriage who’s now divorced and against it.

Most people I know if eg a young Pakistani man they know (eg work with) that is taken from England to Pakistan it’s usually for an arranged marriage and there are usually semi raised eyebrows if you’re not of that culture. But yes, forced and arranged marriage as well as honour killings and Eve shaming are encouraged in that culture so yes, let’s encourage it in the western world why not?

Whist this approach may seem harsh, it will hopefully encourage parents to learn some English so they can communicate not only with school but also emergency services should such need ever arise. Inability to speak the local language even at very basic level could be a matter of life and death. As a foreigner living in the UK, I cannot imagine not being able speak English which in comparison to other language is really easy to learn.

Schools don't get given any money to pay for translators. I imagine their budget is stretched beyond belief. Take the issue up with your mp and suggest that schools need more funding or the local council needs to provide English lessons for the families.

Ah thank you, that makes much more sense to me now, especially in the context of where we were in France.

There was absolutely zero on offer for our DCs, reason offered for that when we asked was lack of resources (sound familiar?) and lack of demand (being v rural).

Translation apps are OK for day to day stuff but (as discussed previously in this thread[ will not be suitable for detailed discussion of things like SEN provision, particularly not in less resourced immigrant languages such as Amharic that are severely under-represented in the large language models such apps are based on.

There are lots of translation apps. Me and my Ukrainian guest uses one and she uses it to get along in our country. She’s learning the language too and her little one is near fluent already.
I think given funding challenges it’s reasonable. Especially given English lessons are given, which is fab.
But really, need some context. Is it reasonable for these particular families?
Eg, some of my past guests have been so traumatised they’re robbed of normal life skills/behaviours.

In other words bend over backwards.

What have the Brits in Spain not speaking Spanish got to do with anything ?? Money isn't being thrown at them to help them learn the language for a start.

Goodness an English school having English speakers whatever next.

It's not a universal entitlement, provision is targeted to areas with large immigrant communities. Sections internationales are found all over the country: they are designed in part for foreign children in France in the short term, with combined teaching in French and their native language. Eighteen languages are on offer. There are also UPE2A, or unités pédagogiques pour élèves allophones, for children arriving with little or no French (there's a nice documentary about the students in one class here: https://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=221636.html[. In our area of high immigration, primary children are also allowed one afternoon off French school a week to follow the UK curriculum at our local section internationale. In areas with high levels of parental illiteracy, schools can offer free French and literacy lessons: here for instance https://lecafedufle.fr/ouvrir-ecole-parents/

The point is that in areas such as that described by the OP, there absolutely is provision made for non-French speakers.

I’m assuming that the school is mixed with different nationalities. So based on for example three languages being needed, that might mean 3 different translators working 2-3 hours each at a parents evening. We are talking HUNDREDS of pounds here. Schools just don’t have that sort of money.

What about the parents with learning difficulties, dyslexia etc who would find it very difficult to learn the language? Some people have no other choice but to move country

@CapturedLeprechaun This is an operational decision by the Head. It’s not a matter for governors. It’s certainly using money on parents and not Dc. Money coming into the school is for Dc so the head is justified. Most schools get dc to translate.

Yes, it's the children that will suffer. 5 years is no time to assimilate if you are cocooned. Think of all the Brits in Spain who don't speak English. The school are creating a generation of English speakers. I'm sure if it was genuinely down to budget they could come up with a creative solution. Volunteer translators, get the kids in the highest year to translate letters as part of their English assignments. Get a bilingual admin in the office.

My children go to to a totally bilingual school in the UK. All information comes out in English and the home nation language. It's a priority of the school. Time not money on translation. It is possible.

I’m sorry but I agree with the decision.

If you’ve moved to a different country, it’s on you to learn the language.

Nevermind.

@TomatoSandwiches no I was asking a question . Thinking aloud

Are you conflating a disability and the unwillingness to learn the native language of where you chose to reside?

@inamarina I wondered because BSL users need an interpreter