St Paul’s Church in Wales Primary School

“Learning Together through Fun, Friendship and Faith”

Policy for Bilingualism.

This policy has been drafted in response to the Welsh Assembly Government’s declaration of its commitment to the Welsh language and bilingualism in its strategic plan in 2000 which states that, by 2010,

“The proportion of the entire population which can speak Welsh should

have grown, with the greatest increase amongst young people.”

and in response to “Iaith Pawb” (The National Action Plan for a Bilingual Wales) which notes the following as a key target:

“By 2011, the percentage of the population of Wales that is able to speak

Welsh will have increased by 5% from the figure highlighted in the 2001

Census.”

What is Bilingualism?

“Bilingualism is the ability to speak, read and write in two languages and research suggests that bilingual education offers pupils the added benefits of being able to use two languages and being aware of two cultures.” (Developing Dual Literacy: An Estyn discussion paper – 2002).

Most researchers agree that a child, who is exposed to two languages at an early age, and simultaneously, will naturally learn to use both languages. (“The American Speech – Language – Hearing Association”).

How does St Paul’s Primary School aim to develop and promote

Bilingualism?

The Governors, Head and Staff of St Paul’s Primary School are committed to developing pupils’ ability to use the Welsh language and as such, a Scheme of Work for Welsh Second Language has been in operation throughout the school since the introduction of the National Curriculum in 2000 . This scheme was revised and updated in 2000 and again in 2006 and incorporates the County Scheme for Year 6 “Gyda’n Gilydd” which the children continue to follow in their first year of High School thereby ensuring continuity and progression. Bilingualism and its development within St Paul’s Primary School is our current priority in our subject Action Plan for Welsh Second Language.

The Curriculum Leader offers support and guidance to all staff to help them deliver the Scheme of Work and incidental Welsh. The Athrawes Fro visits St Paul’s on a fortnightly basis (weekly leading up to Inspection) working with Years 5 and 6 and offering support to the Curriculum Leader and other staff as and when the need arises. The Curriculum Leader has fostered a sound working relationship with the County Advisory Teacher for Welsh Second Language who also offers support and guidance.

In St Paul’s Primary School teachers regularly use Incidental Welsh in all lessons and around the school when speaking to pupils, and pupils are encouraged to and rewarded for speaking to adults and fellow pupils in Welsh. Teachers are increasingly striving to be heard using Welsh when conversing with one another.

In addition to this policy for Bilingualism, our school has a policy for Welsh Second Language, a copy of which accompanies the Scheme of Work.

St Paul’s Primary School prides itself on having created a strong bilingual ethos evidenced in its investment of permanent, professionally produced signs in Welsh around the school. Welsh language wall displays are evident in all classroom areas reflecting the current class topic and displays are evident in other areas to support children’s learning in Welsh e.g. the dining hall has a menu displayed in Welsh with pictures, vocabulary and sentence patterns to assist the children in using Welsh to ask for their meals at lunch time.

The “Phrase of the Week” is introduced every Monday during assembly and this is practised by all children and staff throughout the week. Special merits are awarded each weekly as ‘Seren yr Wythnos’ during Merit Assembly to recognise and reward pupils’ efforts in using Welsh.

The school has a good supply of up to date Welsh Second Language resources including CD ROMs and tapes and Welsh music is played in assemblies every week and welsh hymns and prayers are increasingly being introduced. The Grace is said in Welsh during every assembly.

Pupils develop a strong sense of belonging to Wales and enjoy using Welsh, singing songs in Welsh, and competing in activities in our Eisteddfodau.

Staffing

Our aim is to ensure that all teaching staff and assistants have received training as part of a rolling programme. Our Curriculum Leader recognises the importance of bilingualism and is keen to develop and promote it in St Paul’s.

The Governors, Head and Staff of St Paul’s Primary School believes that the development of bilingualism, with the commitment of all the above mentioned, has in place the grounds for success in this area.

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