Ethnic minority and traveller achievement service

The Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Service (EMTAS) is a team of dedicated specialist staff with significant experience of working with schools, community groups and other partners. We work to support schools in raising the attainment of children from ethnic minority backgrounds, those who have English as an additional language (EAL) and Gypsy, Roma and Travellers' (GRT) children, including refugee and asylum-seeker pupils.

We provide assessment, consultation, advice, support and training in relation to children who have English as an Additional Language (EAL) or are from Gypsy Roma and Traveller communities (GRT).

Our purpose

• to raise the attainment of children from ethnic minority backgrounds, those who have English as an additional language (EAL) and Gypsy, Roma and Travellers' (GRT) children
• to promote inclusion and curricular access, raise awareness and celebrate linguistic, cultural and religious diversity
• to build mainstream capacity to provide access and raise the attainment of children
• to enable children and families to enjoy a smooth induction and transition to schools and education systems
• to promote the active participation of children and families

What we can offer you

Strategic input and consultancy

• advice and support for senior leadership teams in schools to develop and evaluate the equality and diversity strategic dimension of their school
• support and guidance for schools in developing policy and practice relating to inclusion, race equality, diversity and community integration
• support for schools in tracking and monitoring the progress of children
• liaison and partnership with other agencies and professionals

Training

• advice and training for teachers, teaching assistants and support staff on strategies to meet the language needs of bilingual pupils and support the development of EAL
• advice and training on ways of making the curriculum more accessible and relevant for these groups of children

In-school support

• support for schools with the assessment and monitoring of ethnic minority children, including those with English as an additional language (EAL) and Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children
• advice on resources including bilingual resources and differentiated materials
• support in the classroom for children with English as an additional language and Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children. When withdrawal of children is agreed to be necessary, it will be for a limited period, and directed towards specific curriculum related targets
• work with EAL parents and Ethnic Minority communities. Outreach to support highly mobile and newly arrived Gypsy, Roma and Traveller families in accessing places in school or signposting to nurseries
• assist schools with distance learning packs for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children

Bilingual services

• support with admissions
• advice on bilingual / multi-lingual resources