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Links into Languages news
Recent information on the project and its partners
First LinkedUp project awarded in the West Midlands is off to a good start
Region: West Midlands [More West Midlands news...]
Posted on: Friday, 19 Feb 2010
The project, entitled ‘Ensuring Successful Transition from KS4 to KS5’ includes a number of partner schools from Dudley: King Edwards VI Sixth Form College, The Crestwood School, Redhill School, High Arcal School and The Wordsley School.
The project is based on a clear identified need within the local authority area. Language Networks for Excellence and King Edward VI Sixth Form recently carried out an action research project, funded by the LLAS Subject Centre, which focused on various transition stages around key stages 3, 4 and 5 and HE. The research identified and explored a number of issues from the college and student perspectives. A key outcome was in relation to the experiences and challenges students find when moving from KS4 language learning in a school environment to that in a sixth form college. For many, this transition is problematic for a number of reasons including the grammar and cultural focus at KS5 along with the independent learning expectations. Generally, many experience huge differences in how they are taught and the content of AS and A2. It was also evident from the research that, due to the college teachers not teaching GCSE, there is some lack of awareness and knowledge regarding structures, specifications and expectations. These findings present a clear identified need for a greater understanding between KS4 and KS5 teachers and more effective support for students. Within Dudley local authority, KS5 provision is provided for almost exclusively through sixth form and further education colleges. This further exacerbates the needs identified above as for the majority of students in the area transition from KS4 to KS5 involves a change of institution. It also means that the vast majority of language teachers do not teach both GCSE and AS/A2 on a regular basis.
The project therefore aims to facilitate successful transition and progression for students studying a language at KS4 in a school environment to KS5 at a sixth form college and includes a number of key elements:
- GCSE revision sessions for students
- Post GCSE taster sessions at the college
- GCSE and AS/A2 lesson observations and discussion for teachers
- Transition resource development
The outcomes of the project will be disseminated in a number of ways including Links into Languages networks and contacts, the West Midlands Sixth Form Collaborative Group, partner websites, and the Language Networks for Excellence newsletter and website.
