Statutory Primary Languages and Linguamarque

Since September 2014, the teaching of Primary Languages in primary schools in England and Wales has become a statutory requirement. Norfolk Integrated Education Advisory Services in partnership with Schools' Choice is pleased to announce a new initiative, Linguamarque, designed to help subject coordinators and language practitioners with a structured approach to the introduction and/or improvement of Primary Languages in their schools.

The scheme provides primary schools with:

• a structured approach to support the development of Primary Languages within the curriculum in line with the government's recommendations and Programme of Study;
• a methodology to benchmark and define achievement in Primary Languages

If Primary Languages are already embedded in the curriculum, schools are able to use Linguamarque to audit the level of their provision and plan next steps. At any time, a school can apply for the Bronze level and work through the scheme to the highest level (Gold). If Primary Languages are not fully embedded in their curriculum, schools find that the Bronze level gives them clear guidance on how to get started.

Following the launch of Linguamarque, in the course of recent work with schools, Schools' Choice have been able to identify a number of common issues in current practice which impact on the quality of Primary Languages provision.

These are:

• coverage of topics (i.e. numbers, colours, pets, etc.) delivered with no underlying structure (i.e. the Key Stage 2 Framework for Languages) that ensures progression;
• no recording mechanism in place (i.e. the Linguamarque Languages Portfolio);
• no assessment policy in place (i.e. the Languages Ladder ' Common European Framework);
• Primary Languages being delivered by visiting teachers (often secondary trained) who do not have an insight into Primary Languages methodology and requirements (i.e. the Programme of Study) and how these should be interpreted to ensure progression;
• Primary Languages seen as a bolt-on experience rather than integrated in the curriculum;
• lack of collaboration amongst primary schools feeding into the same secondary school(s) to ensure consistency of provision (and consequently smooth progression/transition).

Ofsted states that:'The new requirement puts languages on the same footing as other foundation subjects and therefore will be inspected in the same way. The curriculum guidance says inspectors will take account of whether the curriculum 'is effectively planned and taught' and is broad and balanced in the context of the school. At the very least we would expect to see a plan for the introduction to meet statutory requirements within a reasonable timeframe.The substantial progress expected would be evident in schemes of work that support a pupil's learning in one language from word level understanding and reproduction to the list of expectations expressed in the new national curriculum requirements by the end of Key Stage 2. In common with all subjects the removal of levels will require a new way of measuring progress.'

Linguamarque responds to the above Ofsted requirements as it gives clear guidance on curriculum planning, progression, recording and assessment. The Linguamarque criteria can be used to audit the quality of your current provision and here is how we can help:

1. We are running a Primary Languages Conference on Monday 6th July to launch Linguamarque in Norfolk. Please see attached conference leaflet for further information (also attached, a leaflet giving more details about Linguamarque). The conference will support subject leaders and/or practitioners in the introduction and/or development of Primary Languages in their school in line with government and Ofsted requirements. It is an excellent CPD opportunity for all primary and middle schools.To secure a place, please email Schools' Choice at services@schoolschoice.org.
2. We are also running a rolling programme of courses to support schools in specific aspects of Primary Languages development and Linguamarque accreditation. The five courses will offer participants the opportunity to gain 20 credits towards the University of East Anglia (UEA) Master in Applied Research.They can be accessed as one-off event(s) but ideally schools will have attended the conference to gain an insight into the programme.
3. The rolling programme will run as follows:

   Course	UEA, Norwich	West Norfolk PDC, Kings Lynn
   1: Primary Languages methodology	14th October 2015	6th October 2015
   2: Planning for progression	24th November 2015	2nd December 2015
   3: Assessment and recording	27th January 2016	2nd February 2016
   4: Primary Languages links with Literacy	15th March 2016	23rd March 2016
   5: The role of the Subject Leader	14th June 2016	22nd June 2016

   To book a place, please email Schools' Choice services@schoolschoice.org.
4. You can also contact us directly to find out more about the programme and the support that we offer to schools. We are currently working with primary subject leaders and the one-to-one half day inset is also extremely effective as a means to review the school's languages provision, to set up Linguamarque and provide the subject leader with a clear development plan. School-based training is tailored to individual needs.To find out more, please email Marina Dixon, Primary Languages Adviser.

We look forward to meeting you or your representative at the conference and look forward to working with you and your school. Paul Hoey, Head of NIEAS, Norfolk Integrated Education Advisory Services, and Marina Dixon, Primary Languages Adviser, Schools' Choice, NIEAS, Norwich PDC, NR7 9QL