relocated

[manu74]

Hello
i'm an italian mum relocated with my family from Italy to Milton Keynes (Furtzon) and i have 2 children 4 and 5 years old. They have to start the school in September, but i'm very frightened because they don't know English language. I'm looking for a school in my area (Furtson and Emerson Valley), but I don't know if these schools have teachers for sustainig pupils for english as additional lenguage. Someone can help me?
Thank you so much.

I can't comment on language support but Howe Park First School was a school that I considered for my shy son. It is Ofsted outstanding and seemed very kind and nurturing. The head showed us round and she was really friendly too.

Giles Brook in Tattenhoe and Priory Rise in Tattenhoe Park are also very friendly /nurturing schools with good academic results but you will probably have to drive there from Furzton.

There is a Milton Keynes board if you look for Mumsnet Local- Milton Keynes board.

Depending on the places situation in your area, you may have to take what you can get! Many schools are oversubscribed, you will need to speak to the local authority first to find which schools have places for your children.

Children with EAL are not uncommon ( indeed in my area there are some schools where they are the majority) once you know where you can go, I would have a word with the school to find what support can be offered.

You need to start by contacting the local education authority, to find out which schools still have places available for September. At this late stage, your choice is likely to be limited. You may need to accept places at whichever school can offer places and join waiting lists if there are others you prefer.

All schools should be able to support children with English as an additional language - especially in and around London it is not unusual for children to start school with no English. Again, ask the LEA about this.

Unless your 4 yr old turns 5 before Christmas you could delay his/her start for a term or two until a suitable place comes up. You may otherwise have little choice of school for your 5 yr old - contact the Local Authority and ask which schools currently have places in year 1. Any specific EAL provision would be a nice to have but they should pick it up verbally quite quickly.

Your dc would fall under the In Year Admissions category so need to call and complete a form in the first instance www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/schools/displayarticle.asp?ID=81553

Your children will learn English in no time! Just send them to a school you like (or that will take your children) and they'll just manage. Until then, play English cartoons so that they get used to the language.

Thanks all for your quikly answers...I sent a message to the Head of Howe Park school but i haven't yet any reply (probaby because schools are still closed). What do you meen as local authority? The council of Milton Keynes? I'm already gone to the council, but they gave me only the application form for admission and no other informations.
Thank you

Yes, it is the local education authority that considers applications for school places and should know where the vacancies are - you apply to them and not to the individual schools.

You are unlikely to be able to speak to the individual schools for another 2 weeks or so. The Local Authority will have a basic level of staff cover in the interim. Complete the form to confirm your address (you may have to copy a tenancy agreement or domestic bills) and dates of birth for your dc so that they can check the enrolments at schools local to you for any spaces. Some schools may deal with their own admissions and set entry criteria, such as those part funded by churches placing an emphasis on church attendance. If religion is important to you you should state this on the form but I think In Year and Waiting Lists are still handled centrally by Local Authority for such schools.