evidence: THE DATAThe new figures show that the number of schoolchildren without English as their first language increased more than seven-fold in Northern Ireland between 2001/02 and 2012/13. In 2001/02 there were 1,366 newcomer children in NI’s schools – 0.5% of the total school population. At that time they were called ‘English as an Additional Language’ pupils. [...] "We find that newcomer children have at times outperformed their Northern Irish counterparts in assessments. This has meant pupils have an added stimulus to keep striving to be the best they can be as they see children who have English as their second language achieve so much and they want to achieve also.