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NVQ Languages at Chatsmore Catholic High School
'NVQ provides a welcome alternative to mainly textbook learning. It also opens up the real uses of language learning by exposing students to work-related scenarios. I think it is particularly empowering because portfolio building allows students to work at their own pace and to use ICT as a way of improving the presentation of their written work. There is no exam-related pressure but instead, rewards in the form of developing a professional-looking portfolio and receiving a nationally accredited qualification.' A language teacher at Chatsmore
'I really enjoyed helping the student with his German NVQ. He was very proud to achieve his Level One NVQ in year 9 and I was able to use my new language skills on a ski trip to Austria.' a learning-support assistant who was not a linguist
Video clips
View some of the good practice described below in the case study.
Context
Chatsmore Catholic High School caters for approximately 650 pupils aged 11-16. It is a thriving school community which aims to develop highly-skilled, well qualified and confident students. The school expresses the Gospel values of love, justice, integrity and prayer in every aspect of school life. It aims to equip pupils for their adult life having experienced at Chatsmore a challenging and enriching learning environment. This is doneby encouraging the continual development of the School as a worshipping community and developing to the utmost the potential of each individual, making students aware of their active role in shaping the future of the school community and the community of the wider world. It seeks specialist status in Visual and Performing Arts.
Key Objectives
The introduction of NVQ Languages in KS4 to:
- raise achievement of students in languages in KS4
- accredit the second foreign language by means of twilight sessions in KS4
- motivate year 9 students to continue language study in KS4.
Actions taken
- Since Chatsmore is a small school it is possible to cater for the needs of a variety of students by introducing appropriate courses.
- NVQ was introduced for various groups of students:
Some students followed an NVQ course within a small GCSE group, some chose to work towards NVQ in 2nd MFL in twilight sessions, some who had not opted for any MFL in KS4 achieved NVQ in twilight sessions and Year 9 students followed an NVQ programme of study in order to motivate them to continue language study in KS4.
Results/effect
Candidates who had been predicted grade E at GCSE because they lacked confidence in taking the exam achieved a Level 2 NVQ which was comparable with grade C. The positive experience of NVQ in year 9 increased option uptake by an estimated 20%.
Two members of staff have gained A1 Assessor Awards and one of these has now achieved the Internal Verifier and has gained experience of mentoring assessors in training.
NVQ training has fostered closer links with other local schools and staff have also been involved in a network formed to produce materials. One member of staff has worked closely with staff at a local school as part of the Internal Verification procedure. A small number of students in KS4 attend vocational courses at a local Further Educattional College for one day per week.
In 2007 6 candidates achieved Level Two German, 2 candidates achieved Level One German. However, one of the candidates who achieved Level One had very poor attendance inYear 11 and achieved few other GCSEs. Of the 6 candidates who achieved Level Two, 5 were students who had gained 4 GCSE grades A*-C so this small cohort raised the total % of A*-C grades for the school by almost 3% to 60%.
'I find it much easier to prepare one task at a time instead of having to remember everything for an exam. I want to work in the travel industry and I found that 
because I was working towards my NVQ it was easier to find a good placement for my work experience.' A year 11 pupil at Chatsmore
Future developments
In future it is hoped to increase the numbers of candidates achieving Level Two NVQ and motivate more students to opt for MFL in KS4. The school also aims to develop business links with the local community and enable some students who have achieved GCSE in French in Year 9 to work towards NVQ Level Three.
Author: Sylvia Morgan, Head of Languages, Chatsmore Catholic High School
