Manor Court Primary School, Chard, receives Gold Standard EAL Quality Mark

Manor Court Community Primary School received a Gold Standard EAL Quality Mark award in May.

This mark is an assessment of work that is completed for children with English as a second language.

Assessor, Catherine Brennan, wrote: “Welcomed by the bunting of international flags outside the school – and within it a group of multilingual parents singing the praises of Manor Court Community Primary school – there was an immediate feeling of positivity and inclusivity within the school.

“The school prides itself on being a community school and during lockdown, the school was a part of the local Covid support group and passers-by stopped to look at the themed displays on the school gates.

"The school’s positive partnerships with the local St Mary’s and Forefront Community Church’s and the local charity ‘Diversity Voice’ (which provides interpretation and translation services) illustrate their commitment to community cohesion.”

The primary school also celebrated their third annual multi-cultural day on June 11.

Sonia Gomes, who teaches a weekly hour-long Portuguese lesson to each child in Year One to Year Five, said: “The children enjoyed activities such as visiting a ‘pop-up museum’ with exhibits explaining the culture and history of over twelve countries and playing traditional English and multi-cultural playground games.

"They also enjoyed completing a treasure hunt around the school grounds and participating in a whole school parade around the Key-Stage One playground to complete the day in which the children showed their colourful costumes.”

The highlight of the day was a Zoom assembly with the school's partner primary school, Escola Quinta da Courela in Paio Pires-Seixal, near Lisbon in Portugal.

Deputy headteacher, Alan Clode, added: "The children were delighted to sing to each other in their own languages and Owls class from Manor Court sang to their new friends in Portuguese and a Portuguese class were able to sing to the Manor Court children in English.

"The children enjoyed asking questions to each other about their school day.”