Fife strengthens support for refugee and asylum‑seeking pupils in schools
There are now more than 100 different languages spoken by pupils across Fife’s schools - and more work than ever is being done to support them.
A new report to councillors this week revealed the number of pupils with English as an Additional Language has risen to 3621 across the region. It also outlined the continued progress in supporting refugee, asylum‑seeking and displaced young people in our schools.
Many youngsters have arrived through resettlement schemes or as unaccompanied asylum‑seeking children, and the English as an Additional Language Support Service is expanding its work to meet their needs.
The report identified 101 languages spoken by the pupils - the most popular being Polish, Romanian, Urdu, Punjabi, Malayalam, Arabic and Russian - and the challenges they face. They include isolation, language barriers, technology difficulties and no Halal lunch options
It said: “Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) are some of the most vulnerable children in our society due to their age, separation from parents and carers and distance from their home.
“Some will have experienced significant adversity, trauma and loss on their journey to the UK and may have experienced exploitation have been trafficked. UASC are entitled to the same local authority support as any other looked after child. As an authority we want to provide the acre they need to thrive and support to improve outcomes in all aspects of their lives.”
The support network in place is helping to shape those young lives.
The report continued: “Over the last five years Fife has welcomed fifty UASC. Thirty-three of these young people enrolled in a school. Thirteen of the UASC went on to further education in college, and two of the young people are now at university.”
Cllr Kathleen Leslie, convener of the education scrutiny committee, praised the “exceptional work” being done across schools in the region.
She added: “Fife is proud to be a welcoming place for children and young people seeking safety. Our schools do exceptional work to help them settle, feel included and build a future here. Their resilience, combined with the dedication of our staff, demonstrates the power of inclusive education.”
Schools across Fife are implementing compassionate and practical approaches to ensure young people feel safe and supported. Auchmuty High School in Glenrothes is developing a multi‑faith room to help create a sense of belonging while its Community Marketplace provides essential items, recently enabling young people to attend the senior ball alongside their peers.