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Education
Education PRIMARY SCHOOL
PLAY SCHOOL NOTRE ECOLE PLAYGROUP LITTLE HANDS MVC VILLAGE COLLEGE U3A
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EDUCATION
Melbourn Village College
Little Hands Karen 01763 260964
Melbourn Playgroup Jane Crawford 07842 151512
Notre Ecole Janet Whitton 261231
Primary School Headteacher Stephanie Wilcox 223457 U3A (Univ. of Third Age) Chairman Tony Garrick 01223 510201 Village College Principal Simon Holmes 223400 Principal Simon Holmes explains Melbourn’s imaginative approach to reviving pupils’ interest in languages
Language education in schools across the country is facing many challenges. There is no single reason for this, although many will cite the (real or perceived) relative difficulty of language GCSEs, pointing to national subject residuals (statistical differences in performance between subjects) over a number of years.
The more accepted this has become, the more it has entrenched the issue. There is pressure on both schools and pupils to achieve the best grades possible. It’s no wonder then that some are tempted towards ‘easier’ subjects.
This situation has been exacerbated by the increased demands of the new GCSEs, where it seems a potential opportunity for parity has been sadly missed. Add to this ongoing challenges in staff recruitment and the attitude of many English adults towards learning languages, and schools have a real issue.
At Melbourn Village College (MVC) we feel that language learning is not just about learning words. Good language teaching has a vital role to play in widening pupils’ horizons and in giving them an understanding of other cultures. We therefore do our pupils a real disservice if we remove this element from the curriculum.
The Cam Academy Trust, of which we are a part, has international education as one of its five core principles. Arguably, with the world continuing to shrink, the need for a positive attitude towards learning a range of foreign languages has never
been greater. We want our pupils to embrace the idea of travelling to or working in a foreign country, not be daunted by it.
Our language lessons are backed up by exchanges and other visits, many of which lay the foundations for ongoing friendships. Despite that, alongside many other schools, we have watched the number of students studying French and German decline sharply over the past decade. However, this is only part of the story. Since 2016 we have seen an increase in not only the uptake of GCSE languages but in the profile of language learning across the school.
This has not been a result of compulsion – languages are not mandatory at key stage 4 and as a school we were clear that this was not a path we wanted to follow. Instead, we have listened and reacted to the preferences of our students and have also taken a bold approach to our language provision.
Traditionally, MVC students all studied French in year 7 with the majority adding German in year 8. At key stage 4 they had the option of taking French, German or Spanish. As the popularity of Spanish increased compared to German, we reached a point where it became the logical decision to swap the two, putting Spanish into KS3 in place of German.
Additionally, we undertook a full curriculum review. We consulted research on the future need for languages and began a lengthy process that would result in the introduction of Mandarin Chinese alongside Spanish from September 2016.
We now offer a European and Asian language to all students in year 7, providing a solid base for the rest of key stage 3. This has not been a simple introduction; it has involved research (we visited several lessons at other schools), close work with other agencies (in our case the Institute of Education at UCL) and, most importantly, hinged on us finding an excellent member of staff.
Our first cohort of Chinese classes are now in year 9 and speak highly of their experience. This has been aided by our first Chinese exchange, jointly run with another trust school, and by participation in the government’s Mandarin Excellence Programme (MEP), which has provided additional funding and opportunities for our pupils. In Year 7 this was a week of Chinese themed activities – a visit to the British Museum in London followed by meal in Chinatown, Chinese cookery and craft sessions in school – a programme designed by us but funded by DfE/MEP. In year 8 this is a heavily subsidised trip to China – our students are paying £400 for two weeks. The MEP is putting in a good deal of funding to support this, including £350 towards flights (all accommodation costs in China are also paid for).
A local sixth form provider, with whom we will probably share staff, has undertaken to provide post-16 study. This arrangement already exists in our trust for shared staff in other subjects – for example we brought in a geography teacher for one day a week a couple of years ago and another school paid for one day a week of a technology teacher for a while this year to cover a temporary vacancy. Many year 9 children and their parents look at options with an eye to post-16 progression so it is important that sixth forms offer languages. This may involve creative solutions and partnership development, but there is an imperative here.
Part of the advantage of doing two such different languages is the way the differences in style (which are much more significant than between two European languages) appeal to different children; mathematical pupils enjoy the ‘codebreaking’ nature of the Chinese characters, for example.
Our approach to languages has been rewarded with increased uptake and some excellent results. FFT Aspire showed our MFL progress in 2018 to be in the top 12% in the country, and indications are that we will have an increased number of pupils choosing to study languages at key stage 4 from September.
We hope that by being innovative and maintaining the high profile of languages we can continue to thrive.
MVC also has the prestigious International School Award,
Home-Start Royston & South Cambridgeshire are looking for Home Visiting Volunteers Can you give a family the most precious gift - your time?
Our volunteers are all parents or grandparents who can give a few hours a week to help families who are nding it di cult to cope. All parents need emotional and practical help to get through the rst few years, but not everyone has friends or family nearby. is is when Home-Start volunteers can help! For more details contact Sarah or Jackie at: Home-Start Royston & South Cambridgeshire, Unit 6, Valley Farm, Station Road, Meldreth, Royston, Herts, SG8 6JP Tel: 01763 262262 or e-mail admin@hsrsc.org.uk www.hsrsc.org.uk Registered Charity No 1105385 issued by the British Council, at the highest possible level. This is valid for three years and recognises the school’s achievements in offering a truly international education to its students.
Citizenship class
Recently, I’ve had the honour and fun of being a guest at MVC’s Citizenship Class. Aged 11–12, these Year 7s don’t have the right to vote, but they are thoughtful, engaged and well-informed. One can’t help coming away without feeling hopeful about the future. The good news, from their own recent in-class survey, is that most intend to exercise their eventual right to vote! Susan van de Ven.
Sawston Adult Education
Are you looking for a new challenge this summer? How about attending one of our Saturday Workshops on 22 June 2019. We currently have spaces on the following courses. Basic Car Maintenance, Bollywood dancing, Drums for beginners and The Grandest Tour – A Journey from Earth to the Edge of the Universe.
Details of our 2019–2020 courses will be available online from mid-June and our brochure will be issued in early July. Autumn term courses commence week beginning 16 September 2019.
Please take a look at our website for further information and to book a place www.sawstonadulted.org
Alternatively, you may contact us via email at community@sawstonvc.org, telephone 01223 712424.
Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) – Royston
The next course will commence on 24th September 2019. Details nearer the date.
Melbourn Community Hall is in the centre ofthe village behind All Saints Church If you would like to hire the hall contact email: hallbookings@live.co.uk
richardarnott.com
GARDEN DESIGN & BUILD
Richard Arnott
Read monthly editorial by Richard in The Listings Magazine For the Community by the Community
The Hub in Melbourn is a vibrant, local place to hold your next business or community meeting. What we can offer you: • 3 modern and well-equipped rooms holding between 4 and 25 people • A well designed building at the heart of a beautiful village • Onsite cafe and catering • A large free car park • A fully alarmed building, all night security lighting,
CCTV cameras within the building (if you were leaving equipment set up for your meeting) • Two disabled parking spaces with automatic doors and dropped pavements. DDA compliant. • Room set up as per your request • Catering packages to suit all budgets • Free WiFi • Telephone conferencing • Projector/screen • Flip chart • TV • Pens and paper “It’s one of my favourite venues. The staff go out of their way to make the trainers and delegates feel welcome and well looked after.” Elisabeth Goodman, River Rhee consulting.
Contact us for more information
Email centremanager@melbournhub.co.uk or call 01763 263303 visit our website Follow us on www.melbournhub.co.uk @thehubmelbourn Facebook
