The Compact Agreement: CILT Cymru and your School

In 2005, only 31% of 16 year olds studied a modern foreign language to GCSE level. This shows an alarming drop from the 1994 level of 55%. Yet in today’s increasingly globalised economy, language skills are becoming more and more of an asset for both employment and travel.

The main thrust of CILT Cymru’s work since its launch in 2002, has been to try to reverse the decline in numbers of pupils studying MFL in key stage 4 and beyond.

To this end, we set up the CILT Cymru Compact, a special relationship with schools, which work in partnership with CILT Cymru on projects to improve standards and take-up in MFL.

What is the Compact?

An individual partnership between school and CILT Cymru. All Compact projects are personal to the individual schools, and schools involved have privileged access to support and advice from CILT Cymru’s Language Teaching Advisers.

What's in it for the school?

• Support and guidance from the CILT Cymru language teaching advisers who remain in regular contact with participating schools;
• Privileged access to and enhancement of events and conferences (with possible follow-up days or visits following events);
• Access through CILT Cymru to other related agencies, such as Language Network Cymru, British Council etc;
• The raising of the status of Modern Foreign Languages within the school and community;
• A grant of £500 per school to spend on anything concerned with the project;
• Participation in a prestigious national project with substantial benefits for both staff and pupils involved
  

What's in it for CILT Cymru?

• Improvement in take-up at KS4 and the opportunity to spread the good practice involved in the action projects
• A broader knowledge of Modern Foreign Language departments in Wales and a widened network of contacts
• The raising of the status of Modern Foreign Languages throughout Wales

Criteria for the selection of schools

• Clear targets for the improvement of pupil performance at KS3 and for take-up at KS4, and a clear idea of an action project to achieve them. A planning session, involving the applicant and CILT Cymru staff will take place during the application stage
• The support of the head teacher and governors; this must be clearly stated and signed on the application form.
• Evidence of a team/departmental approach;
• Attention to equal opportunities issues, such as the achievement of boys;
• Provision of an e-mail address for the department;
• A commitment to engage in dialogue with the school’s careers advice provider.
  

How do I apply to become part of the compact?

1. Complete an application form, (pdf 72kb) giving details of your proposed project
2. Ensure that the headteacher has approved and signed the application
3. Send your application form to:
Kristina Hedges
CILT Cymru
Cambrian Buildings
Mount Stuart Square
Cardiff CF10 5FL

Contacts:

Kristina Hedges
Language Teaching Adviser (South Wales)
e-mail: kristina.hedges@ciltcymru.org.uk

Ciara Brennan
Language Teaching Adviser (North Wales)
e-mail: ciara.brennan@ciltcymru.org.uk