Primary Languages Conference: October 2008
On 1st October 2008, Grey Coat Hospital offered its second primary conference to primary partnership schools and secondary schools in Westminster. The objective of the conference was to discuss the complexity of transition into Year 7. We looked at the European Framework for Languages and discussed the government objectives for primary languages and Sandra Young (Assistant Head i/c of Training School) and Jo Camp (GCH) hosted a sample thinking skills lessons to encourage primary teachers to focus on the language skills that the year 6 students will need when they move to secondary school.
There was a sample lessons from a Year 6 Group from Tara Jansen at St Peters Primary school and Year 7 pupils from GCH took part in a spontaneous thinking skills exercise. In addition, Sally Wickes (Westminster City Council) discussed this context of ‘Languages for Life’; Susi Samhland (AST Pimlico) talked about transition issues; and Claire Stacey (GCH i/c community links) looked at the ‘Languages Ladder’ in the context of the European Framework for Languages and gave the primary partners access to KS3 and KS4 examination materials. The afternoon session comprised of co-planning thinking skills lessons for year 6 and 7.
The overall feedback on the second conference was overwhelmingly positive and we look forward to welcoming our primary and secondary colleagues to our next conference.
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