2. What services are provided by DW Primary Languages?

DW Primary Languages will:

  • Recruit MLAs through the British Council and allocate them to a cluster of schools
  • Issue a Letter of Offer to the MLA and provide them with full details of employment and what to expect
  • Distribute the MLA’s dossier to schools
  • Liaise with the MLA pre-arrival, ensuring all necessary documentation is in place, including current valid passport, police check and medical certificate
  • Secure accommodation for the MLA within reasonable travel distance to schools
  • Support the Visa application process: provide a letter of reference; liaise with the British Council (the Visa licence holder); check MLA’s Visa on arrival and complete the ‘Right to Work Checks’ for UK Immigration
  • Complete the British Council’s On-line Entry and Exit Surveys
  • Provide information and support to MFL Subject Leaders and Office Administrators throughout the summer and pre-arrival
  • Provide 2 days of arrival training for the team of new MLAs, focused on orientation, expectations, teaching materials and methodology for teaching Primary Languages. This training will be in-person wherever possible or remote if necessary, following government guidelines at the time
  • Support the MLA with administration and form-filling
  • Liaise with HR in Trafford Shared Services and schools regarding the salary mechanism for the cluster, new starter forms, tax exemption and pension opt-out forms, application for the DBS, National Insurance Number application
  • Provide guidance regarding the Immigration Health Surcharge and the calculation of its reimbursement

Group training, one-to-one coaching, mentoring and guidance is provided by Dawn Wilde to each MLA throughout their 8-month placement.  Each half term, the MLA will be accompanied by Dawn Wilde in 2 or 3 lessons at one of the cluster schools. The MLA will be provided with detailed oral and written feedback based on observations and discussions.  Written feedback will be shared with all schools in the cluster to ensure uniformity of approach and support.  Each school in the Project will be visited at least once in an academic year. 

Half-termly group twilight sessions provide practical support and networking opportunities for the MLAs. At these sessions, MLAs receive bespoke training focused on themes highlighted during observations.  They are gradually introduced to new Primary Languages Methodology to continuously develop their practice and enhance language lessons. 

All MLAs are issued with progressive teaching materials for Key Stage 1 and 2, where needed. Through discussion with the school’s MFL Subject Leader, these materials are matched to relevant year group(s) for the new year of study in accordance with cohorts' progression in learning.  Knowledge organisers as well as activities and resources to assess prior knowledge are shared with the Modern Language Assistants.  These ensure that MLAs are able to plan next steps for learning for each cohort appropriately.

Headteachers and Subject Leaders are also provided with support in school, via email and telephone conversations throughout the year as required.