Ethnic Minority Achievement Service

All Islington schools experience pupil mobility. Many schools experience a significant number of pupils arriving or leaving outside normal times throughout the year.

High rates of mobility can make heavy demands on staff, and may sometimes affect provision for other pupils also. Pupil mobility has implications for many policy areas, for example tackling underachievement, target-setting, league tables and school funding.

Whilst some pupils may be moving schools for positive reasons, for example with the impact of regeneration strategies, many mobile pupils are from challenging circumstances. These can include experiencing homelessness and social deprivation, family separation or seeking asylum. Many new arrivals from overseas are learning English for the first time.

However, it is also the experience of Islington schools that mobile pupils are often highly motivated and can experience tremendous success. They contribute to school life and enrich the lives of everybody in the borough.

It is hoped that the contents of this website can further help schools plan for the inclusion of mobile pupils so all pupils can benefit from their presence.