Across England, more than one in five pupils (21.4%) speak a first language other than English at home (Department for Education, 2024). This remarkable diversity enriches school communities, yet it also reveals an often-overlooked challenge: ensuring language access for every learner and family.
Beyond lessons in maths or literacy, every school teaches a hidden curriculum – how to engage, communicate, and belong. But for students and parents who speak English as an Additional Language (EAL), or for those with accessibility needs, this hidden curriculum can quickly become a hidden barrier.
When letters go untranslated, interpreters are unavailable, or policies are only shared in English, families can struggle to understand vital information about safeguarding, attendance, or their child’s progress. The result? Missed opportunities for engagement and unequal access to education.
Language Access: The Foundation of Inclusion
Language access isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a legal and moral responsibility. The Equality Act 2010 requires public bodies, including schools, to make reasonable adjustments to ensure inclusion. Providing professional translation and interpreting is one of the most effective ways to meet that duty.
Yet, many schools face challenges. Tight budgets, limited staff, and urgent communication needs often mean they rely on ad-hoc solutions – bilingual staff, online tools, or even students themselves – rather than qualified language professionals. While well-intentioned, these approaches can risk misunderstandings, especially in safeguarding or medical contexts.
That’s where expert language partners make the difference.
How Prestige Network Supports the Education Sector
Since 1991, Prestige Network has been helping schools, colleges, and universities communicate clearly, confidently, and inclusively. Our Education and E-Learning Language Services are tailored to the unique needs of each institution.
Our Services Include:
- Translation: Certified translations for reports, policies, consent forms, and academic materials.
- Localisation & Marketing: Multilingual websites and prospectuses to engage international students.
- Digital Learning: Subtitling, voice-overs, and dubbing for e-learning and training content.
- Interpreting: Face-to-face and remote interpreting for meetings, webinars, and lectures.
- Accessibility Services: British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting, deaf awareness training, and accessible formatting.
We’re proud to partner with leading universities – including the University of Oxford, University of Exeter, and Nottingham Trent University – who trust us to deliver precise, culturally sensitive, and timely language support.
Breaking Down Barriers, Building Trust
True inclusion means more than physical access; it means linguistic access. When schools and universities invest in clear, accessible communication, they build stronger relationships with families, improve engagement, and help every learner thrive.
At Prestige Network, we believe language access is not an optional extra, it’s a cornerstone of equality in education.
Let’s Talk About Language Access
If your school, college, or university is ready to strengthen inclusion and communication, Prestige Network can help.
Speak with our Education Language Services Team today to discover how professional translation and interpreting can make your messages clear in every language.
