Institution: The Astor of Hever Community School

'The transition was very easy and the students took to it very quickly.' J.Guibert, MFL teacher, Astor of Hever School

Context
Astor of Hever Community School is a fairly small high school in mid-Kent with about 900 students on roll, including a growing 6th form. Three years ago, the school became a sports college and the curriculum has been under constant review since then. Spanish was introduced as a second foreign language last year and a Business French option has just been introduced at KS4.

Key objectives
The introduction of Asset Languages instead of GCSE/ A Level to:

1. Improve assessment for learning: Languages Ladder displays in each classroom using the Asset grade descriptors and Asset Assessment for Learning sheets for exercise books
2. Give recognition to students who choose to opt out at the end of KS3
3. Motivate students to continue learning languages in KS4 and KS5
4. Improve exam results
5. Implement the motto 'Languages for all; languages for life'.

How the programme is organised
The school has removed GCSE language exams from the curriculum and plans to do the same with A level exams now that Asset’s advanced grades are recognised by QCA to carry UCAS points. For the latest information on this situation, view Asset website's FAQs.

It was decided to replace these traditional exams with Asset Languages, which are considered by the school to be more appropriate for the students in that they are more flexible, more motivating and less elitist.

Results/effect
The school has benefited from improved MFL exam results through the use of Asset. The scheme is very flexible, allows for differentiation and is ideal in terms of assessment for learning (teacher assessment scheme). The focus is clearly on progress (Lifelong Learning/ Languages for life) and not simply on final achievement, which makes it more motivating for the students. The flexibility of the scheme also promotes uptake into KS4 and on into KS5 as learners can continue to make  progress at their own pace and still get a qualification at the end of the course. Traditional exams can be intrinsically selective, as a B at GCSE is required to be allowed to continue with languages at A Level. Asset is therefore much better at fulfilling the motto “Languages for All; Languages for Life”.

Future developments

• KS5 - A level exams will soon be replaced with Asset qualifications now that we have QCA’s confirmation that Asset carries UCAS points at advanced level. The advantage is that the scheme is less elitist as it does not need to impose the intake restrictions of GCSE and A level. This therefore allows for a better KS5 intake. KS5 students can continue learning at intermediate level for as long as it takes them to get to advanced level and still get a good qualification in the end.
• KS2 transition - Using the Asset teacher assessment scheme at the end of KS2 informs the staff of the level that primary students have reached at the end of primary school, thus helping to facilitate transition and ensure progress at KS3.
• Business French - The school has just begun a Business French course and hopes to accredit this using Asset Languages as soon as the scheme has been piloted and becomes available.
  

Author: Bruno Sturmel, The Astor of Hever Community School