Opportunities for working with

Language Colleges

Kathy Wicksteed, Specialist Schools TrustRebecca Poole, Hendon School

211 Language Colleges

18 aspiring Language Colleges

50 schools to be invited to start Languages as 2nd specialism from September 05

Schools to receive £30 more per pupil if they opt for languages as 2nd specialism

Target of 400 by 2010

subject communities

professional development

primary languages14-19

master classes

less commonly taught languages

knowledge about language

intercultural awareness/cultural enrichment

international links

Sue BalmerNational Specialism Coordinator

(Languages)sbalmer@specialistschools.org.uk

Kathy Wicksteedkathyw@specialistschools.org.uk

Schools and Higher Education

Cross-phase partnership opportunities

International ethos

50 different mother tongues

Comprehensive School with LC status

North London

Recently emerged from special measures

Our overarching aim• Helping pupils understand the importance of language-

learning in a possible future career• Find ways of working despite climate of optionality• Working with HE to build on the skills pupils gain

through (primary and) secondary schooling. (increasingly a skills-based rather than content-based curriculum)

• To help embed an expectation in pupils early on that they will move into higher education

Hendon’s experience …..

• Working through Villiers with Kings college• Kings College lecturers observing the teaching of

Year 12 and 13 classes – understanding our methodology and appreciating the skills our pupils are developing.

• “Buddying” system – year 12 students team up with an undergraduate “mentor”. They establish e-mail contact so that Year 12 pupils can ask for advice and help about subject area, course choices, university life.

• Pupils spend 1-2 days in academic year on campus, using library etc.

• Develop links between university and school (e.g. drama productions)

• Widening to other subject areas (e.g. science)• University careers department talk to year 12 and

10 pupils (pupils from other schools invited) emphasis – using languages in a combination of studies as well as pure language degree.

• “aim Higher” (Middlesex university partnership)• Goldsmith’s community languages PGCE• Nottingham University – Japanese PGCE

Further developments:• Year 9 and 10 pupils who may be interested in teaching.• Fast-track year 9 and 10 pupils being channelled towards

languages degree courses.• Using university as part of fast-track programme e.g.

opening up facilities, teaching etc.• Strengthening teaching partnerships between university

and school.