[eal-bilingual] opening a discussion

I think that Alison has probably tried all the possibilities that are  
open to an EMA practitioner in schools along with all the compromises  
that have to be made when working with others. Given the numbers of  
specialists in schools, my preference would be for the coaching  
through partnership model, where both support for pupils and building  
teachers' capacity can go hand in hand.

But there are other opportunities and one can be taken now with the  
current roll out of the new frameworks. Many schools are rethinking  
the way they deliver the KS3 curriculum and all are looking at their  
schemes of work and this is an opportunity to influence ways of  
working. Is the school's senior leadership supportive? Would they  
support a CPD session with heads of department (or even the whole  
staff) on an aspect such as active reading or collaborative talk?  
This could then be followed up by each line manager to ensure that  
aspects of the training are reflected in the new schemes of work.  
Further partnership teaching could then help less experienced  
teachers to build their skills in delivering the aspects you have  
chosen.

It would be good to hear from other practitioners who have taken the  
longer-term view of their work.

Martyn