Modern Foreign Languages Key Stage 2 Pilots: Written Statement

On 15 December the Assembly Government issued a circular (National Assembly for Wales Circular 41/02) inviting proposals from primary-secondary clusters or local education authorities (LEAs) to run pilot projects of foreign language learning at Key Stage 2 (age 7-11).

The purpose of this initiative is to develop experience in Wales of how teaching and learning a foreign language can complement and enrich the statutory Key Stage 2 curriculum and benefit pupils when they move on to Key Stage 3.

Proposals were received from 34 clusters across Wales to participate in the initiative.  The proposals were considered and assessed on merit by the Steering Group for the initiative, which includes representatives of the Assembly Government, ACCAC, Estyn, CILT Cymru  and LEA advisers.  The Steering Group advised that 21 of the 34 clusters should be selected and I have accepted their advice.

These 21 selected clusters include 96 primary schools.  The clusters will participate in the initiative for 3 school years, from September 2003 to July 2006.  Support, guidance and evaluation tools will be made available to the schools involved by CILT Cymru, our principal partner in taking forward our Modern Foreign Languages Strategy.  Clusters will also be entitled to receive project grants from CILT Cymru of up to £2,000 per primary school.    

The 21 selected clusters are shown in the table below.      

MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES PILOT PROJECTS AT KEY STAGE 2

Clusters selected to participate from September 2003