EMTAS training courses
Courses for school staff
To request EMTAS training for staff in schools, complete the EMTAS training request form below.
Cultural Awareness Training: working with children and families of Black Heritage
An in person session of approximately an hour covering key aspects of practice and provision for children and families of black heritage. Staff will develop their understanding of the diversity subsumed within this broad heading. They will explore some of the issues experienced by people in these groups as they engage with education, and some possible solutions.
To find out more, or to book a session, contact [email protected].
New Arrivals training
Strategies to Support early stage learners of English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Course: New Arrivals training
This is a session of approximately one hour which focuses on strategies that will support a pupil new to English to access the curriculum. A generic New Arrival session can be delivered to whole staff as part of INSET or as a twilight. Alternatively, a more tailored session covering similar material can be delivered to smaller groups of staff where it would be more useful to focus on the specific needs of an individual pupil.
A New Arrivals training session is appropriate for any members of school staff who may have contact with the pupil/parents including teachers, SENCo, teaching assistants, lunchtime supervisory assistants and admin staff.
As part of their programme of support for New Arrivals who are in the early stages of acquiring English, schools might also find it useful to implement the Young Interpreter Scheme.
For schools on the Isle of Wight
New Arrivals/New-to-English training sessions
Course: Supporting New Arrivals who are in the early stages of acquiring English as an Additional Language (EAL)
To book, contact
Advanced Learners of English as an Additional Language
This generic training session looks at how practitioners can meet the language-learning needs of more advanced learners of English as an additional language.
The session:
- is suitable for staff working with pupils who have been here at least two years and who have already acquired fluency in everyday conversational English
- focuses on ways of improving pupils' use of more academic language across a range of curricular areas
- is most appropriate for teachers working in Key Stages 2, 3 and 4.
Supporting English as an Additional Language (SEAL)
SEAL is a course for Teaching Assistants wishing to develop expertise in supporting pupils who are learning English as an Additional Language (EAL).
The course commences in the Autumn Term annually. There are six units available and these will be delivered one a term over a two year period. Each unit focuses on a different aspect of provision for pupils with EAL.
To book, visit this page
- HTLC Learning Zone
Initial Teacher Training options
English as an Additional Language (EAL) courses for trainee teachers and ECTs
We offer a range of courses to meet your needs, ranging from half-day courses to termly training sessions running as a steady progression from Initial Teacher Training right through to the end of the Early Career Teacher programme.
See our flyer for more details or contact [email protected]
Traveller (GRT) and Showmen training
EMTAS can provide ‘Raising Awareness of Traveller Culture’ training bespoke to your setting/district.
This session will identify the different sub-groups of Travellers that come under the umbrella term “Travellers”, focus on Traveller culture, discuss any implications for schools and share good practice.
We can also support with planning to help schools and settings celebrate Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month which takes place in June.
Traveller (GRT) and Showmen Network Meetings
EMTAS run termly network meetings. These are twilight sessions and they provide an opportunity for practitioners to meet to share best practice in relation to Traveller and Showmen pupils and their families.
The meetings are open to teaching and support staff working with Traveller/Showmen pupils and their families as well as GRT co-ordinators, SENCOs and line managers in infant, junior and secondary settings.
Date: Thursday 21 November 2024
Time: 3:45pm to 4:45pm
Venue: Online
Focus: Transition, the use of the T Code to record absence and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE).
Date: Thursday 27 February 2025
Time: 3:45pm to 4:45pm
Venue: Online
Focus: Preparing for the 2024 travelling season – a look at the use of the T-code and approaches to distance learning with a look ahead to Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month (GRTHM – June) and ideas to support schools to celebrate this annual event
Date: Thursday 15 May 2025
Time: 3:45pm to 4:45pm
Venue: Online
Focus: Celebrating schools’ successes with both the EMTAS Traveller Excellence Award and GRTHM
Contact: Email [email protected] to register for any of the above sessions
Traveller and Showmen Cross Border Network Group
The Traveller and Showmen Cross-Border Group was formed by Hampshire Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Service in 2017. It brings together professionals from different Local Authorities in the south of England who work directly with or on behalf of Traveller and Showmen communities. It has a specific education focus.
The purpose of the Traveller and Showmen Cross-Border Group is to disseminate best practice across all authorities and improve the efficiency and impact of services, thus ensuring improved outcomes for Traveller and Showmen children and communities.
Meetings take place online and are held termly. Topics covered in the meetings are wide ranging and can include discussions on: education, institutional racism, new projects, sharing what works and what doesn’t, resources and new thinking amongst other things.
Date: 2 December 2024
Time: 10am to 12:30pm
Venue: Online
Focus: Attendance and T-code changes
Date: 31 March 2025
Time: 10am to 12:30pm
Venue: Online
Focus: TBC
Date: 23 June 2025
Time: 10am to 12:30pm
Venue: Online
Focus: Events organised in different areas to celebrate Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month (GRTHM)
For more information, contact
- Claire Barker
- 03707 794222
- [email protected]
Network Meetings
The EMTAS Specialist Teacher Advisor team offer network meetings on a range of topics throughout the academic year. These are held as twilight sessions and provide an opportunity for practitioners discuss best practice in relation to different aspects of ethnic minority achievement.
Our network meetings are offered online via MS Teams. Other training can be offered as an in-person session; use the training request form at the bottom of this page of our website if you want to request in-person training for staff in your school.
The meetings are open to teaching and support staff working with pupils from ethnic minority backgrounds as well as EMA/EAL co-ordinators, SENCOs and line managers in infant, junior and secondary settings.
Date: Tuesday 17 September 2024
Time: 3:30pm to 4:30pm
Venue: Online
Focus: Working with learners who are new to English (Bell Bands A and B). Includes practical classroom strategies. Cross phase.
Date: Tuesday 1 October 2024
Time: 3:30pm to 4:30pm
Venue: Online
Focus: Working with more advanced learners of EAL (Bell Bands C, D and E). Includes practical classroom strategies. Cross phase.
Date: Wednesday 16 October 2024
Time: 3:30pm to 4:30pm
Venue: Online
Focus: Using first language as a tool for learning. Cross phase.
Date: Wednesday 6 November 2024
Time: 3:30pm to 4:30pm
Venue: Online
Focus: Working with learners who are new to English (Bell Bands A and B). Includes practical classroom strategies. Cross phase.
Date: Tuesday 19 November 2024
Time: 3:30pm to 4:30pm
Venue: Online
Focus: Tracking progress in acquisition of English for learners of EAL. Cross phase.
Date: Tuesday 26 November 2024
Time: 3:30pm to 4:30pm
Venue: Online
Focus: Understanding the Young Interpreter Scheme. Cross phase. Free to all, including practitioners outside Hampshire. Learn how to set up the scheme successfully, discover material and consider good YI practice and safeguarding.
Date: Wednesday 4 December 2024
Time: 3:30pm to 4:30pm
Venue: Online
Focus: Working with more advanced learners of EAL (Bell Bands C, D and E). Includes practical classroom strategies. Cross phase.
To book, contact
EMTAS EAL E Learning
A set of high-quality, cross-phase, interactive online training modules based around catering for the needs of learners of English as an Additional Language (EAL) and Traveller learners.
Our e-learning is aimed at Governors, Teachers, HLTAs, TAs and Inclusion Managers with particular relevance for trainee teachers, NQTs and key workers recently appointed to the role of working directly with EAL and/or Traveller learners.
There are 14 modules available:
- Introduction to working with EAL learners
- Core principles
- Working with parents and the community
- The SEND:EAL interface
- Teaching and Learning
- Bilingualism
- Adult Bilingual Conferencing
- Catering for the needs of Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children
- Culturally Inclusive School
- First Language Assessment
- Role of EAL coordinator
- Multilingual Perspectives
- Catering for the needs of children of Traveller heritages
- Best practice for EAL, BME and Traveller children in the Early Years
More detail about each of the above modules can be found in the EMTAS EAL e-Learning brochure
Benefits
- The materials have been developed by EAL and Traveller Specialists in conjunction with senior leaders and class teachers based in local schools
- They contain a variety of interactive learning materials supported by text, images, podcasts and video
- There are assessable assets and free-form activities that enable learners to reflect on their current practice
- The materials can be visited at a learner’s own pace and in their own time-frame
- The system records progress throughout each unit
- Completed units are certificated by the system and can form part of a learner’s CPD
See the EMTAS EAL E learning taster units.
NALDIC Regional Interest Group (RIG)
Hampshire EMTAS share the hosting of the NALDIC EAL RIG meetings with Portsmouth EMAS and the University of Reading. Meetings are held termly and are free to attend.
NALDIC Berkshire Hampshire RIG
Date: Tuesday 19 March 2024
Time: 4pm to 5pm
Theme: TBA
Follow @HampshireEMTAS on X to receive notifications about the scheduling and focus of the next NALDIC RIG meeting.
Training for staff in schools: EAL Clinic
EAL Clinics can be used to offer on-going support to school-based staff. Led by an EMTAS Specialist Teacher Advisor and scheduled once a term through the school year, this model of training provides opportunities for practitioners to discuss particular pupils, questions and concerns in relation to EAL practice and provision in the classroom. Download this leaflet for more detail.
Traveller and Showmen Clinics
A Traveller/Showmen Clinic can be used to offer on-going support to school-based staff, particularly Traveller Co-Ordinators. Scheduled once a term through the school year, this model of training provides opportunities for practitioners to meet with an EMTAS Specialist Teacher Advisor to discuss practice and provision in their school setting for children of Traveller and/or Showmen heritage. Bespoke to the needs of the school, a Traveller/Showmen Clinic can also include a focus on next-steps planning for particular pupils/families. Download this leaflet for more detail.
Schools and Academies on the Isle of Wight
Through our Sold Services, EMTAS offers a range of services to schools and academies on the Isle of Wight.
Full details can be found in these two brochures:
Isle of Wight Brochure of Services for Primary Schools
Isle of Wight Brochure of Services for Secondary Schools
Staff from schools and academies on the Isle of Wight can access any of the EMTAS network meetings listed above.
Schools and Academies on the Isle of Wight are welcome to attend any of the EMTAS network meetings, those with an EAL focus and those with a Traveller focus. Attendance is chargeable at the rates shown in the Isle of Wight brochures.
Training for other professionals
Training for other professionals
Early Years Training
EMTAS is able to offer a range of support packages to develop and enhance inclusive practice in schools and settings. We have expertise in providing guidance and support in relation to various aspects of cultural and linguistic diversity. We can help your staff to work more effectively with BME and Traveller children and their families so that barriers to engagement and learning are removed, wherever these exist.
To book, contact
- Sarah Coles
- [email protected]
Additional information
For interpreting e.g. for home visits or during specific times such as transition
To contact EMTAS, call
- 03707 794222