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Training and professional development opportunities

As a city wide ethnic minority specialist service, Salford EMTAS is best placed to offer training and professional development opportunities to all schools.

We have thorough knowledge of the changing demographics of our child population, have a good overview of EAL practice across our schools and strong partnerships with other LA services and the third and voluntary sectors. In this regard, we can promote best practice, broker relations between schools in Salford and across Greater Manchester and ensure that our EAL, GRT and asylum and refugee children get the best support they can to fulfil their potential.

Training and professional development opportunities

Please see below details of training and networking events in 2025-2026.

Schools of Sanctuary and New Arrivals Ambassador Scheme

  • Date: Tuesday 23 September 2025
  • Time: 3.45pm to 4.45pm 
  • Venue: Microsoft Teams Webinar

A Microsoft Teams webinar for head teachers, senior management and teachers of PSHE, Citizenship, RE and pastoral staff.

This course will explain how to become an accredited School of Sanctuary and encourage pupils to take positive action through the New Arrivals Ambassador Scheme.

The focus areas will be how to:

  • Promote positive attitudes within schools and communities around people seeking sanctuary.
  • Support schools to take positive steps and to be proud of being places of safety and inclusion for all.
  • Recognise and celebrate schools that are committed to welcoming and supporting people seeking sanctuary.

The webinar is free for all schools.

Please email adminemtas@salford.gov.uk to book a place.

Leading a whole School EAL Strategy - Bell Foundation Training 

  • Date: Wednesday 24 September 2025
  • Time: 3.30pm to 5.30pm
  • Venue: Microsoft Teams Webinar

Learning intentions

In this session we will: 

  1. Explore the context of EAL provision in schools; 
  2. Learn about factors affecting the attainment of learners using EAL;
  3. Consider inclusive pedagogies that promote optimal learning environments for multilingual school bodies;
  4. Consider the implications for senior leaders.

So that: 

  1. Senior leaders can build (more) equitable and cohesive provision for learners using EAL.
  2. Teachers can gain (further) knowledge and confidence in using inclusive pedagogical practices.
  3. Learners using EAL can become (more) included in all aspects of school life.
  4. Parents of learners using EAL can become (more) empowered to engage with the school and their child’s education.

The webinar is free for all maintained schools and schools with an SLA. There will be a charge of £45 for other schools/settings.

Please email adminemtas@salford.gov.uk to book a place.

How to be an Outstanding EAL Co-ordinator

  • Date: Tuesday 30 September 2025 or Wednesday 21 January 2026 
  • Time: 9.30am to 12.30pm 
  • Venue: To be confirmed

This training is aimed at staff with an EAL lead responsibility, particularly those who are new to the role or as a refresher for more experienced staff. Suitable for schools with significant numbers of EAL children or small numbers. The objectives of the course are:

  • Identifying your EAL cohort and understanding your role
  • Understanding the English language development of all EAL learners 
  • Admission and Induction of International New arrival Children (INAS)
  • Creating a whole school enabling environment
  • Effective communication with parents
  • Setting up effective support with interventions and in class
  • The importance of having an EAL policy

The course  is free for all maintained schools and schools with an SLA. There will be a charge of £100 for other schools/settings. Non-attendees will be charged £45.

Please email adminemtas@salford.gov.uk to book a place.

Best Inclusive Practice for International New Arrival Children 

  • Date: Tuesday 14 October 2025
  • Time: 3.30pm to 5pm
  • Venue: Microsoft Teams 

A course for mainstream teachers, TAs and EAL support staff. This session will focus on how to best support new arrival EAL pupils who are at the early stages of learning English.

The areas of focus will be:

  • Survival Language and strategies
  • Speaking and Listening intervention activities
  • Maximising access to the curriculum in the mainstream classroom
  • Best use of resources

The course is free for all maintained schools and schools with an SLA. There will be a charge of £45 for other schools/settings.

Please email adminemtas@salford.gov.uk to book.

Ensuring the Emotional Health and Wellbeing of International New Arrival Children

  • Date: Tuesday 14 October 2025
  • Time: 3.30pm to 5pm
  • Venue: Microsoft Teams 

This course will consider the emotional health and well-being of International New Arrival (INA) children and what needs to be in place in order for these children to thrive and meet their full potential.

Areas of focus will include:

  • Potential emotional health and well-being risk factors for INA children including asylum seekers and refugees 
  • Importance of a good admission and induction process
  • Strategies to check and identify symptoms of mental unwellness 
  • Raising awareness of mental health and well-being of your INA parents 

The course is free for all maintained schools and schools with an SLA. There will be a charge of £45 for other schools/settings. 

Please email adminemtas@salford.gov.uk to book.

Introduction to EAL Assessment - Bell Foundation course 

  • Date: Tuesday 11 November 2025
  • Time: 3.30pm to 5pm 
  • Venue: Microsoft Teams

A course for EAL lead co-ordinators and class teachers.

Session overview

This session aims to familiarise practitioners with The Bell Foundation EAL Assessment Framework for Schools, and to raise awareness of how the Framework can be used to assess the English language proficiency of students who use EAL, to monitor their on-going progress and to promote language development by setting appropriate language learning targets for students who use EAL.

It aims to provide the necessary levels of support and training for teachers and other school staff to embed effective EAL assessment practices within their settings, leading to greater EAL assessment literacy and confidence among staff in applying EAL assessment practices and more standardised assessments of EAL students. It is informed by the belief that high quality EAL assessment can help teachers and students find out what has been achieved and what more needs to be done. It promotes use of the Framework to support the teaching and learning of learners who use EAL and to enable teachers to generate targets to guide progress. 

Learning intentions

By the end of this session, participants will have: 

  • Become (more) familiar with the Bell Foundation EAL Assessment Framework for schools and how to use it to arrive at a best fit judgment of language proficiency, monitor on-going progress and set appropriate language learning targets. 

So that…

  • School staff will be more aware of effective EAL assessment practices;
  • The information from EAL assessment will be used to better address the language learning needs of all learners using EAL ensuring they are able to fully access the curriculum and achieve (or exceed) age expected outcomes.  

The course is free for all maintained schools and schools with an SLA. There will be a charge of £45 for other schools/settings.

Please email adminemtas@salford.gov.uk to book a place.

Adaptive teaching for EAL Learners in the secondary classroom - Bell Foundation course

  • Date: Wednesday 19 November 2025 or Tuesday 10 March 2026
  • Time: 3.30pm to 5pm  
  • Venue: Microsoft Teams 

A course for EAL co-ordinators, teachers and teaching assistants.

Session overview

This session begins by encouraging practitioners to share the differentiation (adaptive teaching) strategies that they already use to support the English language needs of their students who use EAL. It also introduces a range of strategies that teaching staff can implement immediately into their teaching and learning and encourages participants to explore how adaptive teaching strategies for students who use EAL are both similar and different to the strategies used with any other student. The session is relevant for all secondary teachers and TAs, however it is best delivered in department groups. The session should ideally be delivered after the Comprehensible English for New Arrivals session(s).

Learning intentions

By the end of this session, participants will have: 

  • Shared examples of effective adaptive teaching strategies for learners who use EAL
  • Become (more) familiar with a range of effective adaptive teaching strategies that they can implement immediately in their teaching and learning to better support their students who use EAL

So that all students who use EAL:

  • Will be able to access curriculum material
  • Will have opportunities to actively develop and expand their English language proficiency 

The course is free for all maintained schools and schools with an SLA. There will be a charge of £45 for other schools/settings.

Please email adminemtas@salford.gov.uk to book a place.

Adaptive teaching for EAL Learners in Key stage 2 - Bell Foundation course

  • Date: Wednesday 19 November 2025 or Tuesday 10 March 2026
  • Time: 3.45pm to 5.15pm
  • Venue: Microsoft Teams 

A course for teachers and teaching assistants. 

Session overview

This session encourages practitioners to share the adaptive teaching strategies that they already use to support the English language needs of their learners using EAL. It introduces a range of strategies that teaching staff can implement immediately into their teaching and learning and encourages participants to explore how adaptive teaching strategies for learners using EAL are both similar and different to the strategies used with any other learner. 

Learning intentions

By the end of this session, participants will have: 

  • Shared examples of effective adaptive teaching strategies for learners who use EAL
  • Explored some new adaptive teaching strategies that they can implement immediately 

So that:

  • Learners can access curriculum material
  • Learners will have opportunities to actively develop and expand their English language proficiency 
  • The course is free for all maintained schools and schools with an SLA.

There will be a charge of £45 for other schools/settings.

Please email adminemtas@salford.gov.uk to book a place.

EAL, EAL and SEND: Ensuring that we are getting this right

  • Date: Wednesday 8 October 2025 or Tuesday 3 February 2026
  • Time: 9.30am to 12.30pm
  • Venue: To be confirmed 

A training session for SENCOs, EAL co-ordinators, teachers and TAs. This training session will focus on English as Additional Language children who are not making expected progress and what steps schools need to take to ensure that the right provision is put in place to support these children. The objectives of the session will be:

  • Understand the English proficiency journey of an EAL child across all four skills
  • Assessment and Tracking of EAL children
  • Understand reasons why an EAL child might not be making expected progress but is not SEN
  • Induction of International New Arrival pupils and effective communication with parents
  • How to work with interpreters effectively
  • Cultural factors to be aware of when raising SEND with parents/guardians

The training is free for all maintained schools and schools with an SLA. There will be a charge of £100 for other schools/settings. Non-attendees will be charged £45.

Please email adminemtas@salford.gov.uk to book a place.

EAL Best Practice in the EYFS Setting

  • Date: Wednesday 3 December 2025
  • Time: 9.30am to 12.30pm 
  • Venue: To be confirmed 

This course is designed for all practitioners working in an early years environment where there are EAL children whether that is a school setting, LA or private nursery.

It will be an opportunity to learn about best practice in a face to face and interactive environment. The objectives will include:

  • Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Guidance on supporting young children and families with English as an additional language
  • Best practice and top tips for EAL children in the EYFS setting
  • Partnership and effective communication with parents/guardians whose first language is not English
  • EAL and SEND concerns and how to deal with them
  • Schools/Nurseries of Sanctuary

The course is free for all maintained schools and schools with an SLA. There will be a charge of £75 for other schools/settings. Non-attendees will be charged £45.

Please email adminemtas@salford.gov.uk to book a place.

How to provide effective support for asylum/refugee children and families in the school setting

A training course for teachers, pastoral staff, school co-ordinators and Early Help.

  • Day: Tuesday 27 January 2026 or Tuesday 2 June 2026
  • Time: 3.30pm to 5pm 
  • Venue: Microsoft Teams 

The objectives of the training are to:

  • Explain and clarify common terms used within the immigration arena
  • Give a brief overview of the asylum system and potential consequences on children and families
  • Outline best practice when admitting and inducting asylum/refugee children in school
  • Mental health and wellbeing risks for asylum children and families
  • How to develop a support network for your asylum/refugee and International New arrival families through your school community and wider organisations
  • Learn about the Schools of Sanctuary Award

The training is free for all maintained schools and schools with an SLA. There will be a charge of £45 for other schools/settings. 

Please email adminemtas@salford.gov.uk to book a place.

Teaching Assistants: Working with Learners Using EAL in the primary or secondary setting - Bell Foundation course

  • Date: Tuesday 28 April 2026 
  • Time: 3.45pm to 5pm
  • Venue: Microsoft Teams 

A course for primary and secondary  teaching assistants.

Learning intentions

In this session, participants will:

  • Explore contextual aspects of learners using EAL in schools;
  • Reflect what it is like to learn through another language;
  • Learn about strategies useful to support learners using EAL;
  • Consider ways to collaborate with classroom teachers before, during and after lessons.

So that:

  • You will become more confident in how to support classroom teachers and learners using EAL.
  • Learners using EAL will receive support that promotes English language development across the curriculum.
  • The course is free for all maintained schools and schools with an SLA.

There will be a charge of £45 for other schools/settings. 

Please email adminemtas@salford.gov.uk to book a place.

How to improve the reading skills of the EAL child in the primary classroom

  • Date: Tuesday 3 March 2026
  • Time: 3.45pm to 5pm
  • Venue: Microsoft Teams

This Microsoft Teams webinar is aimed at literacy leads, classroom teachers, EAL co-ordinators and teaching assistants.

This session will focus on how to improve the reading skills of more advanced EAL learners. It will highlight areas of weakness that are common amongst EAL learners, how to address these and how to maximise the learning opportunities in the mainstream classroom to ensure better rates of progress. The webinar is free for all maintained schools and schools with an SLA. There will be a charge of £45 for other schools/settings.

Please email adminemtas@salford.gov.uk to book a place.

How to improve the writing skills of the EAL learner in the primary classroom

  • Date: Tuesday 24 March 2026
  • Time: 3.45pm to 5pm
  • Venue: Microsoft Teams Webinar

This Microsoft Teams webinar is aimed at literacy leads, classroom teachers, EAL co-ordinators and teaching assistants.

This session will focus on how to improve the writing skills of more advanced EAL learners. It will highlight areas of weakness that are common amongst EAL learners, how to address these and how to maximise the learning opportunities in the mainstream classroom to ensure better rates of progress. 

The webinar is free for all maintained schools and schools with an SLA. There will be a charge of £45 for other schools/settings.

Please email adminemtas@salford.gov.uk to book a place.

Best practice for Gypsy Roma and Traveller children in the school setting

  • Date: Tuesday 9 June 2026
  • Time: 3.45pm to 5pm
  • Venue: Microsoft Teams Webinar

This webinar will help raise awareness of Gypsy Roma Traveller children in the school system in order to try and improve their educational outcomes. 

Areas of focus will include:

  • An overview of different Traveller communities and their distinct culture and heritage 
  • Vulnerabilities and barriers to education for GRT children 
  • Inclusive strategies and cultural competency to try and improve outcomes 
  • Gypsy Traveller Roma Showmen and Boaters  (GTRSB) School Pledge

The webinar is free for all maintained schools and schools with an SLA. There will be a charge of £45 for other schools/settings.

Please email adminemtas@salford.gov.uk to book a place.

EAL Primary Network Meetings

These network meetings are for EAL leads in primary and secondary schools.

These networking meetings will give schools and teaching/support staff the opportunity to discuss all aspects of ethnic minority achievement and learn more about the good practice that is taking place across the city. It will also be a friendly forum where challenges and difficulties can be discussed in confidence. There will be elements of CPD in these networking meetings. Network meetings are free for all maintained schools and schools with an SLA. There will be a charge of £30 for other schools/settings.

Network Meeting 1

  • Date: Tuesday 4 November 2025
  • Time: 3.45pm to 5pm
  • Venue: Microsoft Teams

Network Meeting 2

  • Date: Tuesday 31 March 2026
  • Time: 3.45pm to 5pm 
  • Venue: Microsoft Teams 

Network Meeting 3

  • Date: Tuesday 7 July 2026
  • Time: 3.45pm to 5pm
  • Venue: Microsoft Teams

Schools of Sanctuary Network Meetings

These network meetings are for existing Schools of Sanctuary in Salford who want to maintain their best practice in supporting asylum seeking and refugee children and families. It will be an opportunity to learn about best practice in other schools across Salford and the GM region and share ideas.

Network Meeting 1

  • Date: Wednesday 1 October 2025
  • Time: 3.45pm to 5pm
  • Venue: Microsoft Teams

Network Meeting 2

  • Date: Wednesday 1 April 2026 
  • Time: 3.45pm to 5pm
  • Venue: Microsoft Teams 

Network Meeting 3

  • Date: Wednesday 8 July 2026
  • Time: 3.45pm to 5pm
  • Venue: Microsoft Teams

Please email adminemtas@salford.gov.uk to book a place.

For details of any bespoke training requests or a repeat of any webinar/training during 2025-26 please do get in touch and we can deliver directly to your school. Email adminemtas@salford.gov.uk

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