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Press Release
25 July 2008
Transition remains a focus for Key Stage 3 languages networks
Transition between primary and secondary schools tops the list of subjects most commonly described as a key focus for language teachers involved in the Key Stage 3 MFL Dissemination and Development Programme. At the end of the first phase, over three quarters of the 355 learning networks established by the programme agree that they are on track with the aims that they set themselves regarding transition, both from primary and into Key Stage 4, and other key issues when the project began back in January 2007.
The Key Stage 3 MFL Dissemination and Development Programme brings together teachers from between four and fifteen different schools in nine regions of England, with the aim of improving language teaching and learning at Key Stage 3 by sharing strategies, resources and good practice.
In the analysis of the first phase of the programme, teachers felt they were on track in terms of the goals set for themselves at the beginning of the project, with 85% of learning networks agreeing that they had met the teachers’ outcomes in their original action plans. Attitudes were also positive about pupils’ outcomes, with 79% of networks agreeing that the pupil outcomes for their objectives are progressing as outlined in the action plan.
When the programme began, boosting young people’s enthusiasm for languages was identified as a priority by almost 50% of the networks, with increasing the number of students choosing languages post 14 and improving transition from primary to secondary level also featuring widely. At the end of the first phase, these topics still featured highly under teachers’ priorities, with transition being described as a priority by almost 50% of the networks.
Feedback from the participants demonstrated that sharing experience and expertise with other schools in each region was contributing to improving pupils’ attitudes and enabling teachers to develop innovative new resources and practice. Bertram Richter, from the learning network led by Chipping Norton School, Oxfordshire said: ‘We all agree that we enjoyed working across schools and working together on projects that we probably wouldn’t have tackled on our own, or at least not on this scale.’
Neil Hillman, CILT project manager for Key Stage 3, said:
‘We are delighted with the range and variety of positive outcomes achieved from phase one of this programme. Effective transition in Modern Languages between primary and secondary schools is more important now than ever before and the networks demonstrate how successfully colleagues in both phases can work together to achieve this. As a result of this programme there is a lot of very challenging, exciting and innovative language teaching going on in both primary and secondary schools.’
To find out more about the Key Stage 3 MFL Dissemination and Development Programme, visit:www.cilt.org.uk/ks3/sln.htm
