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Soofia Amin

Assistant Head Teacher and Specialist Lead in Education

Multiligualism Kensington Primary School

Soofia Amin is an Assistant Head Teacher at Kensington Primary School,TTLT academy in London, UK. As a Specialist Leader in Education for Multilingualism, she has extensive experience in supporting multilingual pupils and their families, ensuring that linguistic diversity is recognised as a valuable asset in education.Soofia is passionate about developing evidence-based, whole-school approaches that enhance the learning experiences of multilingual pupils. Through her leadership, Kensington has become a model of outstanding provision for multilingual learners.Her expertise extends beyond her own school, as she actively trains and supports schools across the UK, collaborating with local borough leads, teacher training agencies, and policymakers. Most recently, she is working with the UK Department for Education (DfE) to enhance community engagement and improve provision for multilingual learners in priority areas. This has included auditing schools, advising leadership teams, and delivering bespoke training for primary and secondary settings. Her work recieved national recognition, including the EAL Quality Mark Gold Award and Pearson’s Primary School of the Year Award. Her commitment to research-informed practice has led to collaborations with London Metropolitan University, where she has helped develop teacher expertise, and she is working with University College London academics on research exploring the linguistic and cognitive skills multilingual pupils bring to education.

SPEAKER SESSIONS

27 May, 2025 | 12:10 to 12:30
Unleashing the Power of Multilingual Learners: An Asset-Based Approach to working with languages

This interactive session will explore the transformative impact of a multilingual approach in both primary and secondary school settings. Too often, multilingualism is viewed as a challenge to overcome, rather than an asset to embrace. By shifting from a deficit-based mindset to an asset-based model, educators can unlock the full educational, social, and cultural potential of their multilingual learners.Participants will gain practical strategies and research-based insights into how leveraging students' linguistic diversity enhances learning for all and fosters a more inclusive, dynamic school culture. Key Takeaways for Attendees: How educator mindset shapes the multilingual experience in schools A deeper understanding of how languages are learned and maintained Research-backed evidence that multilingual learners can achieve high academic success The benefits of integrating students’ home languages into teaching and learning How to embed multilingual practices across a school