Supporting Polish pupils in your school

Large numbers of Polish families have moved to certain parts of the country in the last few years. Many have children of school age. In secondary school there are opportunities to capitalise on their native language.

How?

These pupils can be given recognition for their native Polish. They can be entered for an examination which will give accreditation for their home language.

Which examination?

The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) offers an examination in Polish at GCSE level and at A level.

How can AQA be contacted?

The AQA website: www.aqa.org.uk
Enquiries:  mailbox@aqa.org.uk
Telephone numbers:
Harrogate office: 01423 840015
Manchester office: 0161 9531180

What will AQA provide?

If you access the website, you will find these publications for GCSE:

• General Certificate of Education: Polish Teachers’ Guide
• A Student’s Guide to the AQA GCSE Polish specification

What else do I need to know?

Scottish CILT has already contacted AQA about the possibility of entering pupils for the GCSE in Polish. The examination board will welcome candidates from Scotland.

Scottish CILT has also discussed the issue of the oral component of the examination. AQA will give all the assistance it can in facilitating the oral.

Are there any other contacts?

Scottish CILT has had talks with the Polish cultural attaché. Scottish CILT has also contacted the Polish Educational Society in London. The address is:

POSK
238 King Street
London
W6 0RT 

This organisation would be happy to assist in the setting up of Saturday schools for the teaching of Polish.

What about other languages?

• Edexcel offers examinations in Arabic and Japanese among others.
• OCR offers examinations in Dutch and Turkish among others.

Scottish CILT will offer help in contacting them, if necessary.