English-only lessons at school of 64 languages

TEACHERS at a London comprehensive where pupils speak 64 languages between them are to focus efforts on helping the children master English.

Woodside High in Tottenham has decided to abandon some moves to accommodate the linguistic diversity of its intake - only one in five pupils speaks English as their mother tongue - such as sending letters home to parents in translation and teaching some lessons in other languages.

Last year's GCSEs at Woodside High saw the school miss a key government target to ensure that at least three out of 10 pupils achieved five C grades in subjects including maths and English, although staff at the school, formerly known as White Hart Lane, expect to reach the target this year.

The details emerged after MPs expressed concern that one in seven primary school pupils in England did not speak English as their first language. The Tories said schools were feeling the strain because ministers had failed to control immigration.

In London, school communities are more diverse. Four out of 10 primary pupils typically speak English as an additional language, a figure which is far higher in areas such as Tower Hamlets. Despite starting off behind, many of these children go on to achieve good results.