Ladybridge High School sits in the heart of a rich and diverse community and as a school we are proud to celebrate the culture and linguistic diversity of all of our learners and school community. With approximately 40% of our learners identified as English as an Additional Language (EAL), 4% classified as International New Arrivals (INA) to the UK education system, and 41 languages spoken by learners and staff, multilingualism is a significant strength of our school.
We believe that language is central to learning, achievement, inclusion, wellbeing and identity. Every teacher is a teacher of language and is responsible for supporting learners in developing the academic language required to access the curriculum and achieve their potential. As a school, we are committed to preparing all learners – regardless of their ethnicity, background, culture, or linguistic heritage – for life beyond secondary education. Through our mission of developing our WISDOM qualities, we strive to nurture self-belief, resilience and personal agency, enabling learners to thrive in further education, employment and the wider community.
START Network (Support That’s Additional, Robust and Targeted) is the department in school that oversees and coordinates provision for learners with English as an Additional Language (EAL) and those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). While both groups may require additional support, it is essential to distinguish between EAL and SEND, as a learner with EAL should not be assumed to have SEND solely on the basis of language acquisition needs. The role of the school’s EAL team within START Network is not only to welcome and integrate new arrivals, but to support and challenge them across all curriculum areas. We aim to promote English language acquisition alongside academic achievement.
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Members of the EAL Support Team:
Mrs H Ibraahim
HLTA for EAL
I am Hayat Ibraahim and I have been part of the EAL team as a HLTA since January 2022. Before that I worked in the Support Department of Ladybridge with SEND students. I have also worked for 5 years in primary school as a bilingual teaching assistant and I speak English, Somali, and Dutch and use my translation skills to communicate with parents. I support during lessons and run intervention groups and support sessions with a focus on revision, study and homework.
Mrs H Dickinson
HLTA for EAL
I have been a member of the Learning Support team, working as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) since November 2024. Before this time, I spent my career as a teacher of Modern Foreign Languages, specialising in Spanish and French. I provide support in lessons for EAL and SEND learners and I also run intervention groups and Learning Support sessions with a focus on revision, study and homework. I aim to provide learners with whatever they need to learn English as an Additional Language and to make a success of their time with us, also ensuring that we celebrate their cultural and linguistic heritage.
Mrs N Akram
Learning Support Assistant for EAL
I am Mrs Akram and I joined Ladybridge High School in 2024. I work in the EAL (English as an Additional Language) department as a Support Assistant. I enjoy working here and find it incredibly rewarding to support learners from a wide range of cultural and educational backgrounds. I learn a great deal from our learners, and my goal is to bring a positive impact to their learning journey and help them thrive both academically and personally.
I believe every learner deserves the chance to feel confident and supported in their learning. I am committed to creating a welcoming environment where learners feel valued, respected, and encouraged to reach their full potential.
Mr A Rubbani
Learning Support Assistant for EAL
I am Mr Rubbani, I have worked at Ladybridge High School since 2007. Initially I was a volunteer mentor supporting several learners at the time. A year later I was employed as a TA supporting the EAL department. I have supported EAL/INA learners across the school in different subjects to assist them with their English language proficiency to gain a better understanding of the subject taught by supporting in lessons and EAL intervention sessions. I can speak Urdu and support students entered for the GCSE Urdu exam by the MFL department. I also supervise students who wish to perform their daily afternoon prayers.