Developing a Language Policy for Multilingual Schools: Coventry’s Model (Webinar)
- Date
- 3 November 2026
- Time
- 4:00pm
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Run by The Bell Foundation, Webinar
- Location
- Online
Understanding language policies in multilingual schools (Webinar)
This webinar explores current language policies in multilingual schools and offers principles for more inclusive, whole-school approaches.
In the first of our webinars looking at language policies in multilingual schools, we welcome Karen Forbes who will explore what school-level language policies look like across schools in England and set out some key principles for more inclusive, whole-school approaches to multilingualism.
Language shapes everything in school life, from access to the curriculum to students’ sense of identity and belonging. Yet, school language policies are often patchy, inconsistent, or built on the assumption that English is the only language that matters.
This webinar will include:
- Key findings from analysis(opens in new tab) of language-related policies from almost 1000 secondary schools in England. This looks at how English, modern languages in the curriculum, and students’ home languages are positioned and reflects on opportunities for a more joined-up, whole-school approach.
- Examples from case studies in three linguistically diverse schools looking at how language policies play out in practice, including where school policy, classroom reality, and perceptions of teachers and students both align and diverge.
- A set of research-informed principles(opens in new tab) to help schools think about developing more cohesive and inclusive language policies that recognise all languages as a resource for learning and belonging.
Speaker:
- Karen Forbes – Associate Professor in the Multilingualism and Education research group, University of Cambridge.
*In the second webinar in this series, on 3 November, Eowyn Crisfield (Oxford Collaborative for Multilingualism in Education) and Amanda Millican (Coventry EMAS) together with local teachers, will explore Coventry's new Language Policy Framework – how it has been constructed, and how the implementation plans will be shaped. To find out more and sign up, click here: Developing a Language Policy for Multilingual Schools: Coventry’s Model (Webinar) - The Bell Foundation
Who should register for the webinar:
- Staff with responsibility for EAL in primary and secondary schools;
- EAL coordinators;
- School leaders.
Why you should register for this webinar:
- One-hour intensive session with Q&A;
- Access to session recording;
- First to hear about future webinars and how to sign up.
If you have any questions that specifically relate to the webinar topic, which you would like answered during the live session, please send them to: webinar@bell-foundation.org.uk.
If the webinar is full, please complete the wait list form and you will be contacted if a place becomes available. Everyone on the wait list will be sent a copy of the webinar recording.
Ticket sales close 23 September 12:00 UK time.
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The webinar URL will be issued 90 minutes before the session. When you receive the webinar URL, please check that it takes you to the event room, and if not, please email: info@bell-foundation.org.uk. Please note that you will not be able to log in to the webinar event room in advance. Please check your “junk” folder if you have not received this information one hour before the event.
Important notice: there are only two websites authorised to promote and take bookings for this event run by The Bell Foundation. These are: The Bell Foundation’s website and Eventbrite. Please do not book, or express interest in, this event through any other website or platform.
Event details
Price
Free
- Date
- Time
-
Type
Run by The Bell Foundation, Webinar
-
Location
Online