ProspectusIntroduction
The Downs School became a specialist language college in 2003.
Within school the additional funding has allowed us to:-
- Make significant changes in our language curriculum so that we now offer French, German and Spanish in all key stages.
- Offer students the opportunity to learn other languages such as Russian, Japanese, Arabic and Mandarin Chinese.
- Provide up to date ICT facilities in order to facilitate the learning of languages including interactive whiteboards in all language classrooms, a language ICT suite with 30 computers allowing students to improve their independent learning and ISDN video conferencing facilities.
- Increase opportunities for students to communicate directly with students overseas both through exchange visits and through the use of electronic communications. In the 6th form students participate in work experience abroad.
We have also been able to extend learning opportunities for various groups in the community:-
- The school has acted as a base for Newbury College to teach languages
- Local primary schools have benefited from the support of our primary languages co- ordinator as they introduce languages in Key Stage 2
- We promote language learning via a range of events which are open to all secondary schools in West Berkshire and which reinforce the importance of speaking a language in the global society in which we live.
- Local business has been able to run a pilot programme of Spanish for holidays.
The Downs School also provides a programme of visits to many different countries. We have Exchange visits to France, Germany and now Spain. Sports tours are organised annually. Teams have been to Spain, Holland and Cyprus. Many other departments organise international visits too. Another exciting development is the introduction of a cultural exchange with a school in Hamburg and an exchange developing with a school in Denmark.
The Head of ICT has made many links with schools abroad and video conferencing and new technologies have proved very successful in maintaining these links.
The school regularly hosts student teachers from Oxford Brooks University and these students also benefit from participation in the many of the community events.
Annual Events hosted by The Downs School for the benefit of both our students and those of other local secondary schools include: -
European Day – A day for Year 8 students from secondary schools across the county. Students take part in many different activities which increase their knowledge of the European Community
Multi-lingual Futures Day – A day for Year 11 students from a range of different schools. Students learn how useful languages are in the world of work and have the opportunity to ”apply” for jobs where they would have to use a language.
Languages at Work Conference – this conference is aimed at all 6th form students in West Berkshire who study languages. At this event students produce a range of materials in the foreign language of their choice and hear from representatives from business.
