It is recognised that in many Sunderland primaries a lot of excellent work has already been done to promote the European and International dimension including the use of foreign language assistants and the delivery of some language teaching. The LA hopes to establish an infrastructure that will provide a core entitlement to French across the authority and which will build capacity into primaries to embed MFL creatively into the curriculum ensuring enjoyment and a secure transition into KS3.

The proposed model for implementation within Sunderland LA follows a cluster based scheme in which the LEA provides intensive support to three clusters per year in the form of a fully resourced Scheme of Work as well as training and network support meetings for primary teachers. This cluster-based model aims to develop strong links between primaries and their secondary MFL department. By opening an avenue for dialogue and mutual support in this field, we aim to secure continuity of linguistic progression into KS3, ensuring that all KS2 pupils in any cluster are given an equal MFL learning experience.

The LA project is in its pilot stage at the moment, working with schools in the St. Aidan’s, St. Robert’s and Biddick School clusters. It is expected to roll out after review in 2004.

The LA is also involved in an exciting and high- profile course being piloted at Sunderland University. The ‘Primary PGCE course with French enhancement’ is being funded by the Teacher Training Agency and gives students the chance to brush up on their French and form links abroad by spending four weeks of the course on placements in French primaries. Seven primaries in Sunderland LEA are already hosting students from this course - Bexhill, Diamond Hall, Harraton, Havelock, Redby, St. Benet’s and St. Mary’s.

More uniquely we have procured two sets of videoconferencing equipment from a DfES-run project allowing the primary schools, pupils and students on ITT to link up with each other both locally and abroad.

The DfES is showing interest in our primary provision model. Researchers from the Universities of Manchester and Canterbury have been discussing various aspects of the SELLI model with us, and are particularly interested in how we can build and sustain capacity using video-conferencing and the Virtual Learning Environment.

It is vital that this project is effective and sustainable in terms of embedding MFL in the KS2 curriculum. We feel that our model of providing intensive support and training for primaries and linking with HEI ITT programmes will ensure this.