Learners with English as an additional language (EAL) will have a wide variety of needs and will have strengths and weaknesses in different skills. On admission there will be an Initial Assessment with parent(s)/carer(s) and an interpreter may be sought if necessary. This meeting is important in gaining understanding of the learner’s starting point and context, and to get to know them as an individual. 

This initial meeting will enable the identification of the skills the learner needs to develop in order to effectively access the curriculum. These identified needs will also be informed by the demands of the curriculum. Due to the online nature of Red Balloon of the Air’s provision, and the text-based communication system, learners will need a functional level of reading and writing skills in English to be able to access the provision appropriately.