Afghan refugees started dd school

[onedancetwostep]

How would you feel?
How would you make them feel welcome?

[liveforsummer]

@DollyParton2

I think it’s a fabulous idea as it’s happening at my DDs school. However she has SEND, and this year the school bucked up massively with 1-1 learning/ extra provision for her. I’ll be absolutely devastated if when she’s finally benefiting and making such progress from this, this provision will be shared out/ taken away from her to be given to the new joiners. Call me as selfish as you like, but if it was your child I’m sure you’d feel the same concerns.

This will only happen if some of the new dc have SEN. This could be the case with any new pupil. You can't grudge other dc getting help if they need it regardless of country of origin.

[DollyParton2]

liveforsummer genuinely interested- is this really the case? So which extra provision is given to/ how is teaching allocated to children for whom English is not their first language? I assumed the TA who is giving DD some 1-1 support would also be allocated to their?

[reallyworriedjobhunter]

My kids go to school in a London state primary. Refugees and asylum seekers join our school regularly. It's not something for me to have feelings about - the families should be welcomed into our community as any other family would be. They have suffered unimaginable loss and I am sure that the teachers support them - but it's nothing for me to have feelings about. Welcome them. Get to know them. That's it.

[Sirzy]

Unless it is clearly written into and ehcp then no 1-1 provision is going to be long term secure irrespective of where other pupils where born.

[AudTheDeepMinded]

I'd be entirely happy that they have made it to a new life and would welcome them to the school community. I'd be exited for the DC to learn about a world outside our small, sometimes narrow-minded, community. I'd offer help if I could (third generation descendent of Polish displaced person after WW2 and eternally grateful for this country welcoming my grandparent). I know some Syrian and a Kurdish parent at school. Some of the things they have had to go through are heart breaking. All have worked hard to learn the language, go to college seek work. Unlike some of the workshy wasters sat outside our local Spoons all day.

[luverlybubberly]

I'd feel the same as any new starters - I'd hope that they settle quickly because being new can be daunting even without potential language issues.

[saleorbouy]

I don't think our children sometimes realise how lucky they are to live in a stable country and as parents the support we get and take for granted in health, education and welfare.
It's good for your kids to meet these people and get a better understanding of the reality of world around them.
Kids seem to take meeting new children in their stride and quickly mix, it's often the parents that lag behind.

[liveforsummer]

@DollyParton2

liveforsummer genuinely interested- is this really the case? So which extra provision is given to/ how is teaching allocated to children for whom English is not their first language? I assumed the TA who is giving DD some 1-1 support would also be allocated to their?

We get dc who don't speak English our school all the time. They don't need any specific 1:1 support, they just follow the class and pick it up as they go. Sometimes I get my phone out and use google translate if I need to explain something or if they are trying to ask but although I have a 1:2 dc I still help all of the other kids when it's required. Simply not speaking English isn't something that requires any more time than a dc who need a plaster on their knee, need taken to the office when they feel unwell or need some dry clothes found because they fell in a puddle - All things I step out of my main role to do regularly