Derbyshire Regional Support Group

Coordinator: Ann Tunley, School Improvement Adviser, John Hadfield House, Centre for School Improvement, Dale Road, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3RD
Tel: 01629 580000 Ext 2764 Fax: 01629 585466
Email: ann.tunley@derbyshire.gov.uk

Regular sessions are held at different venues around Derbyshire.

East Midlands Regional Consultative Group is a networking and discussion group hosted by East Midlands Regional Support Groups.


Regional Support Group sessions

Session 1: Wednesday 8 November 2006
Title: Asset languages
Speaker(s): John McNutt – Asset Languages
Venue: Wilsthorpe Community School, Long Eaton

This was the first meeting of the term and perhaps not the most convenient timing or venue for people so we will be changing this for future sessions. John McNutt spoke about Assesment and then we looked at the Junior Language Portfolio. We then explored the CILT and NACELL websites and other online resources and websites.

Session 2: Thursday 9 November 2006
Title: Asset Languages
Speaker(s): John McNutt
Venue: St Mary’s RC High School, Chesterfield

At this session, the turnout was much better. The venue is well known and easy to get to and well lit, and we were warmly welcomed by the three members of staff and ICT technician. The meeting was very good with lots of discussion.

We looked at all of the resources I had brought along and people talked about the ones they were using too, both pluses and minuses. They liked the chance to discuss things together and also the opportunity to explore the CILT and NACELL websites. I also showed the CILT information sheets at both venues – numbers 52, 53 and 94. I talked about the courses abroad too. At both venues participants received a freebie to take away as well as the free raffle draw. They liked this very much – they were thrilled to bits at getting a sheet of stickers!

St Mary’s High is a very good venue and I will definitely use it again. There were 20 people present – a far better turnout!

Session 3: Thursday 11 January 2007
Title: Teachers Talking French
Speaker:Jenny Carpenter
Venue:St Mary’s RC High School, Chesterfield
Time: 4-6pm

Session 4: Tuesday 27 February 2007
Title: Teachers Talking French
Speaker:Jenny Carpenter
Venue:Derby University
Time: 4-6pm

Jenny gave us a really good look at this resource and how it can be used for staff in a variety of ways i.e. individual help, group work and whole staff inset. Everyone was very impressed with this resource and I have already had quite a lot of teachers asking to use it. There was also time for questions which everyone also found helpful. It was a very interactive session and a very successful one too.

Also at both venues we had Helen Trilling who gave a talk about International Links and ways to access funding from Comenius and British Council to set up projects with schools in other countries. The International School Award was also mentioned and website addresses were given out. There was a lot of information to digest and lots for everyone to think about for their school.

Vivienne May also attended the venue at Derby University to talk about having a Foreign Language Assistant in your school. She talked about how the system works i.e. the practicalities and also the benefits to both staff and pupils.
Both sessions were very well attended and very lively rapport between those who attended.
Flyers were given out about courses and events in Derbyshire as well as Immersion Courses in France and Spain. Resources were on display for everyone to have a look at including recent additions such as French on Display (Folens).

Everyone was informed about the next RSGs both the venues and speakers including the news that there are to be three events each term so that all teachers have access to a venue near to them.

Session 5: Monday 18 June 2007
Title: Songs Raps and Rhymes
Speaker: Carole Nicholl (Language Factory)
Venue: Whaley Bridge Primary School
Time: 4-6pm

This was a fun and very interactive session for us all!
Carole led us through a variety of songs and raps in French, Spanish and German. We learnt several songs and raps with the actions which Carole taught us. There were lots of laughs and giggles but Carole was very patient and got us all to do the songs + raps in time to the music and with most of the actions at the right time!
We were all glad of our refreshments at half time! This was a very enjoyable and relaxing session with lots to take away and use back at school.
At the end of the week at a training course, several of us who had attended the RSG performed a few songs to the other people attending and they clapped us!
The feedback from those attending was very complimentary. If you would like to know more, please contact me – I highly recommend Carole for an RSG session.

Session 6: Tuesday 19 June 2007
Title: Having fun with PFL –songs, games and rhymes
Speaker: Carole Nicholl (Language Factory)
Venue: Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School
Time: 4-6pm

This was a repeat of session 5. It was a fun and very interactive session for us all!
Carole led us through a variety of songs and raps in French, Spanish and German. We learnt several songs and raps with the actions which Carole taught us. There were lots of laughs and giggles but Carole was very patient and got us all to do the songs + raps in time to the music and with most of the actions at the right time!
We were all glad of our refreshments at half time! This was a very enjoyable and relaxing session with lots to take away and use back at school.
At the end of the week at a training course, several of us who had attended the RSG performed a few songs to the other people attending and they clapped us!
The feedback from those attending was very complimentary. If you would like to know more, please contact me – I highly recommend Carole for an RSG session.

Session 7: Wednesday 20 June 2007
Title: Having fun with PFL –songs, games and rhymes
Speaker: Carole Nicholl (Language Factory)
Venue: Derby University
Time: 4-6pm

This was a repeat of session 5. It was a fun and very interactive session for us all!
Carole led us through a variety of songs and raps in French, Spanish and German. We learnt several songs and raps with the actions which Carole taught us. There were lots of laughs and giggles but Carole was very patient and got us all to do the songs + raps in time to the music and with most of the actions at the right time!
We were all glad of our refreshments at half time! This was a very enjoyable and relaxing session with lots to take away and use back at school.
At the end of the week at a training course, several of us who had attended the RSG performed a few songs to the other people attending and they clapped us!
The feedback from those attending was very complimentary. If you would like to know more, please contact me – I highly recommend Carole for an RSG session.

NACELL Regional Support Groups are funded by the DfES and co-ordinated by CILT, the National Centre for Languages in support of the National Languages Strategy.