Cheadle Hulme School (CHS) is to become a regional teacher training hub for modern languages.
The Greater Manchester-based institution becomes the latest member of the National Modern Languages SCITT (School Centred Initial Teacher Training Programme), bringing recognition as a centre of excellence for language teaching.
CHS will team up with other local schools to form what it calls “high quality classroom-based modern languages teacher training”.
Other independents enrolled on the initiative include Abingdon School, Bolton School, Dulwich College and Oundle School.
We will provide each trainee with a dedicated mentor and look forward to developing their classroom confidence – John Wilson, head of modern languages at CHS
CHS is a long-time advocate of foreign language learning.
“We want our students to question why we are such reluctant language learners in the UK,” it says. “Languages are so important, and English simply is not enough.
“We emphasise the importance of cultural insight, reinforcing a positive attitude to language learning and to other cultural perspectives.”
SCITT programmes are aimed at both recent graduates and those looking to take their career in a new direction. It is the only national teacher training course dedicated to modern languages, offering trainees experience in state as well as independent schools.
Recruitment for the programme will commence in September, resulting in the placement of up to three trainees.
Those enlisting will spend the bulk of their time at CHS, as well as working for six weeks in another school to widen their experience.
“We will provide each trainee with a dedicated mentor and look forward to developing their classroom confidence,” said John Wilson, head of modern languages at CHS.
“This is an amazing opportunity for the school. Cheadle Hulme School has a thriving modern languages department and is committed to developing the next generation of language teaching professionals.”
Once trainees have completed the course, they will hold both qualified teacher status and a PGCE. They will also be trained in KS3/4 and have an understanding of KS5.
To learn more about Cheadle Hulme School becoming a regional teacher training hub for languages, please email Rachel Dalton-Woods via racheldaltonwoods@chschool.co.uk
