What does support for primary languages look like on a trust-wide scale? 2/5
Kate is the MAT lead at Primary Languages Network
(MATs): Number 2 of A series of blog posts outlining a five-point strategy for Managing Effective Primary Languages for Multi-Academy Trusts & trust wide success
Blog #1 In It Together: Collaboration and Primary Languages in MATs (1/5)
Written by Kate Percival
We often talk about support in the primary languages classroom: scaffolding and challenge for our pupils to support with their understanding, their progress and building their confidence. But what about for our teachers, leaders and MATs? What does best practice look like for those delivering and managing primary languages across schools and multi-academy trusts? This blog allows you to reflect on your current model and work out what your next steps might be. Here are the things to consider:
In-class support both for pupils and teachers
Is your scheme of work inspiring and supportive for both the children in the room as well as the adults? According to the Language Trends England survey 2025, Language teaching is mainly provided by a classroom teacher (63.6 per cent) many of whom may consider themselves a ‘non-specialist’. Are the schools in your trust using a scheme of work which provides both native-speaker audio and video support throughout the lessons? Have language coordinators been able to dedicate the time needed to design a languages curriculum that has a clear, well-sequenced structure with retrieval opportunities built in? Consider how those members of staff delivering languages feel supported with both upskilling in the language itself (pronunciation, grammar, phonics) and the confidence to deliver effectively.
The PLN Video2Teach scheme brings the native speaker into the classroom to deliver alongside the class teacher. Units are fully planned and resourced, reducing teacher workload, upskilling teachers at the same time as teaching the lessons and boosting confidence to deliver high-quality primary languages. The Click2Teach version of the PLN scheme hands more ownership of the lesson input to the class teacher whilst still benefiting from built in audio sound files.
Subject Lead support
It can be a lonely role being the only member of staff in charge of a subject but being part of a network can help alleviate this. Consider where you have created opportunities for discussion - either in person or virtually - amongst your trust’s schools. Organising half-termly workshops can prioritise a trust-wide focus and subject leads can network and skill share, often helping each other with solutions to barriers they may be facing. Maybe you have an annual CPD opportunity led by experienced trainers for language leads? Creating an online forum to allow coordinators to network and share photos of good practice is also an effective support.
At PLN, we work with MATs who wish to hold professional development events for both new and established languages coordinators. We can deliver a suite of in-person or online CPD from language upskilling and phonics to the most up-to-date subject knowledge and pedagogy. PLN also has a dedicated WhatsApp forum and Facebook member zone for coordinators to ask and answer their questions, share successes and be inspired by the wider community.
ITT support
Most ITT programmes dedicate at least a half day training session to primary languages so trainees can understand what best practice looks like in primary languages and think deeply about any potential preconceived ideas they may have had about languages until then. The aim is to come away and feel confident to deliver the subject themselves. As well as all of this, PLN offers a full or half day’s ITT training where support does not stop at the end of the session: each trainee is provided with their own log in details to the PLN ITT portal, allowing them to use resources and planning in the lessons they deliver in their training year, supported by best pedagogical practices.
Lead practitioners
With several schools in your trust, potentially all at different stages of their language learning journey, it can be a challenge to keep all these plates spinning at once. Your role is to seek out and support them with their next steps. At PLN we have a professional development journey for out MAT members (which include Astrea Academy Trust, Co-op Academies and Cambrian Learning Trust) to supports aspects of teaching and learning, subject leadership, tracking and assessment, progress and moderation allowing you to oversee development effectively.
On a trust-wide scale, best practice does not stop at classroom delivery but embeds a shared vision of high-quality provision and consistent professional development across all schools.
Kate Percival, MAT Lead and MFL Consultant, Primary Languages Network