Published: Friday, 21st November, 2008 12:00
Language divides a school
By Judith Green
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CLAIMS of divisions between Nepalese and English communities have been refuted.
In a report on how schools deal with pupils who have English as a second language (EAL), College Town Infant School headteacher Trudi Sammons said she thought there was a clear line between the two ethnic groups in the education system.
The report was put together after members of a working group from the Social Care Learning and Overview Scrutiny Panel visited a number of schools in Bracknell Forest.
They wanted to see how EAL pupils were being integrated into the education system and if any changes could be made.
When asked what challenges were facing her school, Mrs Sammons said in the report: “There is little economic migration in the area and very few races other than English and Nepalese are represented which has led to the formation of two distinct opposing groups.
“The Nepalese community, which includes extended families is settled and polarisation and resentment has occurred.”
Mrs Sammons did not want to comment further on her statement, made in an amended version of the report ahead of a meeting tonight (Thursday) when it will be put before councillors.
There are 500 pupils in the infant and nursery school at College Town and the number of EAL pupils has doubled in the past five years to 20%. Some Nepalese pupils are the children of Gurkhas based at RMA Sandhurst.
Bracknell Forest Borough mayor cllr Bob Edger, a councillor for College Town, defended how the school dealt with EAL students. He said: “I know we have never seen problems in integrating Nepalese children into schools in College Town in the past.
“I was involved with College Town Junior School for a number of years and regularly attend events there as part of my role as mayor and I know that they are very passionate and very active about making all Nepalese and EAL pupils in their school welcome and a part of the community.”
He added: “With regards to divisions between the English and Nepalese communities in all my years it is not something I have witnessed so far. There has always been a Nepalese community in College Town, it’s just that it has got bigger in recent years. If there are problems that need to be addressed then of course we will deal with them because it is something that as a council we are very passionate about.”
Jill Ward, headteacher of College Town Junior School, which is managed separately to the infants and nursery, said: “Of course there will always be two separate communities but I think that is inevitable.”
She said staff worked with parents to help pupils and the children were always encouraged to integrate as much as possible.
The News contacted some Nepalese parents, but they did not want to comment until the review had been finished.
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