EAL Toolkit Launch

I was the Metropole in Leeds for the launch of the new Strategy resources for raising the achievement of higher ability pupils with English as an additional language. All part of the wider agenda to 'Narrow the Gap'.

After our introduction it was heads straight into some practical workshops introducing the new materials.

I really enjoyed the workshop that looked at analysing pupils' writing to identify how they could be helped to make progress.

We looked at a piece History writing. We had a checklist and used this to asssess features ranging from word level to content and organization. For each statement we had to decide to what extent the skill was being demonstrated (three choices).

Then we discussed which areas needed help and then looked at which of the areas would be most important for the pupils to improve in order to raise their grade.

This last activity highlighted the improtance of not focusing too much on spelling . Of course, spelling is important but it isn't always the case that this is main the issue holding back the child with English as an Additional language.

In the sample we looked at, for instance, the pupils really needed to understand more about the appropriate tone for a piece of academic writing.

The new resources then give a range of suggestions for how you might address the needs you have identified.

Really practical stuff that I will be introducing to the schools I am working with asap. Of course, it will be a very useful tool for first language speakers, too.

My colleague, Annette, attended the workshop on using talking to prepare for writing. She tells me it was excellent.

In the afternoon I attended another workshop. This one was on how to help the pupils improve their extended writing.

We finished off with a plenary led by Martin Pendegrast, who is leading the project.

A great day, full of practical ideas and resources.

Pre-Standardising

As well as being a Teaching and Learning Consultant for Trafford, I am a senior examiner for AQA English Paper One (foundation).

Being an examiner gives you tremendous insight into the examination process. You learn about the key features that divide, say, grade D form C. You also become very confident at assessing your pupils' work for the paper you mark.

I recommend all teachers to try it at least once and Heads of Department should encourage their team to apply for a post. By spreading themselves across the different papers a many new skills can be gained.



Mary is delighted to be told that she's got the marks spot on.

Subject Leaders' Meeting at Sale West

Spent the day at Sale West Development Centre.

The first part of the day was spent delivering the Functional Skills Modules 3 & 4.

As the news filtered through of yet another Cabinet resignation, I couldn't help but see a parallel between Gordon Brown and the Functional Skills. Now that the GCSE/FS link has been broken, FS (like Mr, Brown) seemed to have lost its authority and respect.



This was followed by a presentation from Chris Sykes (left), who works for Oxford Publishing. Sorry about the rather dark picture, Chris. She introduced several new resources, including their new OxBox series. There was a lot of interest in this. Lots of contemporary resources to use and the facility to upload your own to add to those provided on the CD.







The main part of the day was spent working through the Subject Leader Development Materials. These mainly focused on AfL, concentrating on how teachers can enable the pupils to take ownership of their own learning. Lots of useful resources to draw on. As usual, more to be done than any Subject Leader can be expected to do. We discussed the need to identify priorities and use the resources to improve the areas that would have most impact on raising pupil achievement.

Thanks to everybody for positive feedback. Your good humour and patience made my job a lot easier.