We assess the English levels of all non-native speakers as soon as they arrive. Where possible we make preliminary assessments before arrival, so that we can discuss programmes with students and parents. Students are then placed into approriate English and language groups so that they can have additional support for learning English, as necessary.
We follow the Cambridge English programme, allowing students to progress through a series of recognised qualifications until they are ready to join the mainstream English programme. Qualifications start with the Starters, Movers and Flyers exams for primary age children, and move through the Key English and Preliminary English tests for intermediate secondary age students. Finally, the First Certificate exam marks a graduation from the programme and shows that older students are ready to take mainstream English qualifications.
The structured programme makes it clear to parents and students that they can expect to make visible, regular progress. It sets out a path to success, and students who study English as an additional language here know that they will achieve the twin goals of English proficiency and the qualifications to prove it.