MFL & INCLUSION

Project
MAXIMISING POTENTIAL

CONSULTANTS TO THE PROJECT
Hilary McColl can be contacted at: h.mccoll@clara.co.uk
Catriona Oates (Scottish CILT) can be contacted at: catriona.oates@stir.ac.uk
 

Between 2001 and 2004, four City of Edinburgh secondary schools took part in 'Working Together to improve access to ML', an in-school project with consultant support. Since then, four other schools have followed the programme.

Following the success of that project, Hilary McColl and Catriona Oates, under the aegis of Scottish CILT, drew together some of the documents developed in the course of the Working Together projects to create a photocopiable 'toolkit' for use by ML departments as part of their departmental development programme, or by individual teachers wanting to explore ways of making their teaching relevant to a wider range of pupils. During the pilot phase, in co-operation with CEC, Hilary and Catriona provided support for schools involved, but the ultimate aim will be to provide a document with the support 'built-in', available for use in any ML department. Feedback from pilot schools was an invaluable part of that process.

Modern Language departments in schools in Edinburgh and Aberdeenshire worked with the Toolkit in its draft form during session 2006-07. They provided feedback that was used to improve the kit before it reached its final form. The consultants kept in touch with the schools by email and provided further support as required. This website carried additional resources and material generated in the course of the project.

One of the key features of the in-school projects was partnership between modern languages staff and one or more members of the Support for Learning department (- hence the title 'Working Together'). 'Notes for Mentors' were provided in order to help senior staff to monitor the project if they wished to do so. Teachers interested in taking part in using the online materials to create new projects of their own are strongly urged to seek the cooperation of Senior Promoted Staff and to request that some degree of cooperative working be facilitated.

Teachers who decide to use the toolkit as a complete programme, rather than just dipping into it, may wish to consider recording progress for 'official purposes', treating it as part of a School Improvement Plan or towards their own personal professional development. This should be discussed and details agreed with senior management staff. The documents in the Toolkit and the Notes for Mentors should provide adequate evidence.

The new online version of Maximising Potential was launched in Autumn 2007. It now forms part of Learning and Teaching Scotland's resources for Scottish Schools. It can be accessed and used freely by individual teachers or teams of teachers working together in schools. Supplementary support for the new programme is still provided through this site and can be accessed through the LTScotland website.

Maximising Potential: http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/maximisingpotential/
 

This page updated: 4.8.08