This initiative, fuelled by a passion for fostering inclusivity and support, saw these students invest four hours of their own free time in The Young Interpreter Scheme®.
The Young Interpreter Scheme® champions the idea that students of all ages possess the capacity to leverage their skills and knowledge to aid new learners of English, ensuring they feel welcomed, secure, and valued from the outset. Undergoing specialised training, these Young Interpreters are selected based on a diverse array of personal qualities, each contributing uniquely to the support network for newly arrived pupils.
From the perspective of parents and carers, the support offered by Young Interpreters can be profoundly reassuring during a period of significant adjustment for their children. Moreover, it provides invaluable assistance to school staff throughout the day, easing communication barriers and facilitating smoother transitions for all.
Derwyn Williams, principal at Paignton Academy, had the honour of recently presenting the Young Interpreter Award to these deserving students, acknowledging their exceptional contributions.
Their linguistic versatility is inspiring, collectively speaking an incredible fifteen additional languages between them, with two pupils being proficient in four or more languages.
As these Young Interpreters embark on their mission to welcome and assist new students in settling in and accessing their learning fully, their impact is assured to resonate deeply within the school community, illustrating the transformative power of unity and empathy in education.
Derwyn Williams commented: "Seeing our Young Interpreters excel fills me with immense pride and reinforces the core ethos of ambition, community, and pride that we strive to instil in every pupil. Their commitment to bridging language barriers reflects the very essence of empathy and inclusivity that we aim to cultivate within our school.”
Vicki Rabicano, EAL Coordinator at Paignton Academy, said: “'Many of our students have been operating as informal Young Interpreters in school for some time, and it is wonderful to be able to celebrate and hone their skills more formally with the award.
“It has certainly raised the profile of community languages within the school, so much so that other students have asked how they can get involved!”