Developments in Dutch Provision at SSV

The development of Dutch provision at Key Stage 4 (14-16-year-olds) in Senior School Voorschoten (SSV) represents a remarkable journey of educational evolution, adapting to our students’ needs and the external academic landscapes.

The starting point

For many years, SSV’s Dutch programme at Key Stage 3 (11–14-year-olds) allowed the most proficient students to take an early GCSE exam in Year 9. This early examination offered a significant advantage, enabling these students to focus on other subjects during Years 10 and 11. For students with less exposure to Dutch, Dutch remained an optional subject in Years 10 and 11, culminating in the same GCSE exam their peers had already taken in Year 9.

The pathway

However, the educational landscape has been shifting and has been influenced by changes in both the Netherlands and the UK. The demand for continued Dutch studies among students who completed their early exam in Year 9 grew substantially. Besides that, there is a growing demand for Dutch provision for those students who speak Dutch at home, to ensure they continue to develop their Dutch and can access academic Dutch in Higher Education (Dutch Universities). This prompted the formation of a parent discussion group, which explored ways to expand the curriculum in collaboration with the school’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT). The goal was to create a pathway allowing students who excelled in their early Dutch exam to continue their studies into Years 10 and 11.

The turning point

A significant turning point came when the GCSE board ceased providing Dutch exams, necessitating a new partnership with the CNaVT exam board. This Flemish organisation, known for its comprehensive suite of Dutch language exams, provided an invaluable solution. The CNaVT A2 exam replaced the former GCSE exam. Furthermore, a new course was introduced for students who had completed the A2 exam in Year 9, guiding them towards the B2 exam by Year 11.

The implementation

The inaugural cohort for this new course comprised ten students of various nationalities, all of whom had a background in Dutch studies and had passed the A2 exam in Year 9. These students are now on track to take the B2 exam in Year 11. Achieving a B2 level signifies a high proficiency in Dutch and positions these students excellently for further study at Key Stage 5 (16-18-year-olds), including options like the IB B HL and even the IB A course (Dutch as a native language).

The continuation

This development of the Dutch curriculum at SSV has been met with enthusiasm and satisfaction from all involved parties—parents, students, and the SLT. It exemplifies how a collaborative approach can yield solutions tailored to diverse needs. Looking ahead, the future appears even more promising. With twenty students enrolled for the upcoming academic year, the programme is set to double in size.

This remarkable growth underscores the initiative’s success and the increasing interest in Dutch language studies. The programme’s expansion caters to students’ immediate academic needs and equips them with valuable language skills that can open doors to further educational and professional opportunities. The future indeed looks bright for Dutch provision at SSV, showcasing a vibrant and adaptive educational environment that meets the evolving needs of its students.