Institution: Imberhorne School

'The beauty of vocational language courses is that students see the direct relevance not only to their own language needs to operate effectively in the target language country, but also to the wider world around them. This is what motivates students.' Chris Walsh, Imberhorne school

Context
Imberhorne is a split–site 11–18 comprehensive in West Sussex. We are a Language College Specialist school, and as a high–performing school have recently been given permission to embrace an additional second specialism as a “Leading Edge” school. 

How the programme is organised
NVQ has been delivered for several years as a means of ensuring significant numbers of pupils studied a second modern foreign language. We were for some time the largest single centre in the country entering candidates for OCR’s NVQ certification.

Year 9 study Level 1 one lesson a week and French, German and Spanish are offered. From this year only the lowest groups study NVQ, whereas in the past all Year 9 students have taken the course. Years 10 and 11 go on to study Level 2; these are mainly students who have opted for the Travel and Tourism or the Health and Social Care courses as main programmes of study. Level 3 is offered as an alternative progression route to AS and A2 to students in Years 12 and 13, and it is possible to begin a new language at level 1 in the sixth form as well.

Results/effect
In 2007 approximately 200 students achieved a Level 1 pass in French, German or Spanish. Approximately 50 achieved passes in the same languages at Level 2, while eight Sixth Form students achieved passes in French or Italian. This qualification has boosted our performance every year.

'The girls who did the Level 3 French course last year said that they were petrified about doing the presentation of their product. They were to be done in French, video recorded, watched and assessed by the other students. However, once the performances were completed and the girls looked back at them, this work was what they identified as the one they were most proud of. They all kept copies of the CD to show to prospective colleges and possible future employers. They said that although the French they used was not always perfect, the skills gained in getting the presentation ready were really valuable and they could see their practical application.' Janice Threlfall, Teacher of NVQ Level 3 French

Many students have achieved certification where they might previously not have gained anything from their language studies. Those studying Leisure & Tourism have found it particularly relevant. Very few students end up with no certification, even if it is in only certain skills.

Staff have achieved A1 and V1 awards. Some staff have moved on to other schools and have been able to draw on the experience of NVQ they gained at Imberhorne. Vocational learning is very strong in the school, so it has been good to be able to play our part in the success of work-related learning.

Ofsted report 2010

The curriculum is outstanding in meeting the individual and often complex needs of all groups of students. There is strong emphasis on languages and all students study at least one language through Key Stages 3 and 4. Vocational courses provide teachers with further options on learning styles and help to personalise the offer for students.

Future developments
Our programme is likely to remain unchanged for the forseeable future. Numbers are unlikely to increase due to the adoption of courses new to the school, such as Modular GCSE.

Author: Richard Keyte, Internal Verifier for NVQ Languages, Imberhorne School