Who we are and what we do
The Intercultural Education Service is available free of charge to all schools across Northern Ireland. The Newcomer Service offers advice and support to teaching and non-teaching staff, including Classroom Assistants, who are working with newcomer pupils from pre-school to post-primary level. A newcomer pupil refers to any pupil who does not have satisfactory language skills to participate fully in the school curriculum, who does not have a language in common with the teacher and who may require support in school for this reason.
Teachers, Social Workers and Youth & Community Workers from IES provide wide-ranging advice, guidance and resources to help these pupils succeed in Northern Ireland’s education system.
Some of the support we provide includes:
- School Support: Guidance on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for assessing English proficiency, required for Department of Education funding. We offer benchmarks for language development in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
- Resources: Online tools like the Newcomer Good Practice Guide, IES Toolkits, bilingual storybooks, and a Quick Guide to the Curriculum for Parents, accessible via our SharePoint site (request access with a C2K school email).
- Training: Intercultural awareness and CEFR training to equip teachers and staff to support Newcomer pupils effectively.
- Family Support: Assistance with school applications, transport, free school meals, uniform grants, and transitions from nursery to primary or post-primary education.
- Translation and Interpreting: translation of standardised letters and guidance around statutory duty issues such as child protection and anti-bullying. The interpreting guidelines on our website includes information on which requirements, including face-to-face and telephone or video interpreting, will be funded by the regional school service Interpreting and Translation Services.
Advice and Support: broader advice and guidance for school leaders, Governors and teaching/non-teaching staff, includes:
- Welcoming new arrivals
- Promoting intercultural awareness in the school
- Communication with home
- Planning for the first few weeks
- Monitoring progress
- Curriculum access
- Overcoming specific language difficulties
- Exam preparation in post primary
- Toolkits for Preschool, Primary, Post Primary and Special Education On-line Courses
IES Newcomer Good Practice Guidance for Schools
Contact Information
Advisor Contact Information
Dr. Kieran Shields
Education Authority, Newry Teacher Centre, Downshire Road, Newry, BT34 1EE
Newcomer Contact Information
If you would like a visit to your school, please contact the IES service and an officer working in your area will be in contact.