Secondary education services

Tender description

The Authority is seeking to procure a comprehensive and ambitious package of measures (the “Services”) to set up and run an MFL Hub Programme (the “Programme”) with the overall purpose of providing support to secondary schools to improve languages teaching at Key Stages 3 and 4, so that in the pilot schools: (1) more pupils take up languages GCSEs; and (2) schools are enabled to achieve viable and sustainable numbers and group sizes to secure the future of the subject. The Authority is seeking to procure the establishment of a Centre of Excellence to implement the Programme. In summary, the CoE will become a locus of expertise in the MFL pedagogical approach as set out in the Bauckham Review, and will exhibit expertise and knowledge of this pedagogical approach. In building knowledge and expertise from universities, education consultants and existing research, the CoE must ensure that it applies the approach set out in the Bauckham Review. The CoE will support a nationwide network of 9 clusters of schools (“Hubs”). All the schools within the Hub will have a commitment to improve MFL teaching in Key Stages 3 and 4 and increase uptake of languages at GCSE. Each Hub will be comprised of 5 schools: 1 “Lead School” and 4 “Hub Schools”. The CoE will be responsible for helping the Lead Schools to support Hub Schools to enter more pupils for language GCSEs. The CoE will: Provide support to schools to improve languages teaching at Key Stages 3 and 4, so that in the pilot schools, more pupils take up languages GCSEs and schools are enabled to achieve viable and sustainable numbers and group sizes to secure the future of the subject. It will facilitate this by developing the links within and between the Hubs, helping Lead Schools build their Hubs, and ensuring best practice and resources are shared throughout the network of Hubs via a Resource Portal. Develop, promote and share “Pedagogy Resources” based on the recommendations of the “Bauckham Review of MFL Pedagogy” (as defined in the Glossary) with Hubs via a “Resource Portal”, with the aim that the MFL pedagogy as outlined in the Bauckham Review is adopted by Hub Schools. When taken together these resources will support a clear coherent curriculum. These resources include but are not limited to lesson plans, worksheets, department improvement plans and training materials. All shared resources, which must comply with the MFL pedagogy as set out in the Bauckham Review, must be quality assured by the CoE. The CoE will: — Facilitate improvement of participation at Key Stages 3 and 4 and at GCSE by promoting and ensuring compliance with the MFL pedagogy set out in the Bauckham Review of MFL pedagogy; — Acquire specialist expertise to advise the CoE; — Work with and support prospective Lead and Hub Schools; — Produce Pedagogy Resources that will support teaching in Lead Schools and Hub Schools; — Performance manage the Lead Schools and assess the quality of teaching in those schools; — Develop and secure participation in high quality training programmes for Specialist Teachers; — Ensure trained Specialist Teachers work effectively in providing intensive support; — Ensure that the Programme is communicated effectively; — Make payment of funds to Lead Schools and manage the project, including identifying risks and issues; and — Participate in the external evaluation of the Programme.