Language Hub School
Swanswell Language Hub Co-lead School
Lawrence Sheriff School and Sidney Stringer Academy are excited and honoured to have been named by the Department for Education as Lead Hub Schools.
The main aim of the programme is to increase the number of pupils who study languages to GCSE and beyond.
Our Team
Steph Standing is Swanswell’s Language Hub Lead based at Lawrence Sheriff School. Steph teaches French and German and has been teaching for over 15 years. She is also the school’s ECT Induction Tutor.
Sarah Wu provides administrative support for the Swanswell Hub.
I'm Steph, I've been teaching MFL for over fifteen years, from Key stages 2 to 5. I am the new co-lead for the Swanswell Hub and am also the Specialist Teacher. I am based at Sidney Stringer Academy in Coventry.
We can be contacted via email:
Our X handle: @SwanswellLH
Our work is based across Warwickshire and Birmingham, although we are working alongside other local Language Hubs. Find your local Lead Hub school.
Our Vision
At Swanswell Language Hub, we believe that foreign language acquisition empowers learners, opens doors and creates a lasting skill set. Research-informed Universal CPD underpins our improvement journey as a Hub, but also as practitioners. Teamwork and collaboration encompass all that we do. Our aim is to improve exam results and increase uptake at GCSE and beyond, working with, and celebrating our culturally rich and diverse learners.
Our Partner Schools
The programme’s ethos is ‘Collaboration, Creativity and Collegiality’ and we are thrilled to be working with colleagues from secondary Partner Schools, spreading best practice, ensuring high quality language education, delivering bespoke CPD and increasing home, heritage and community language uptake. Our Partner Schools are:
Avon Valley School and Performing Arts College
St Augustine’s Catholic High School
St Benedict’s Catholic High School
Saint John Wall Catholic School
Our Affiliate Schools
If you are interested in accessing our support and training, please contact us via email for more information:
Continued Professional Development
The NCLE continues with its series of professional development webinars designed to support teachers in building confidence in language teaching pedagogy.
Bringing the new GCSE to life - Wednesday 15th January 2025 4pm - 5pm
KS2 - KS3 Transition & Transfer - Wednesday 12th February 2025 4pm - 5pm & Wednesday 26th March 2025 4pm - 5pm
NCLE is also developing Universal CPD modules to meet the needs of all teachers, taking account of their range of contexts and the needs of their pupils. Modules will be available soon.
For Primary Schools
Swanswell Language Hub is also keen to work with local Primary schools to improve transition arrangements from KS2 to KS3, to exchange information, and to model best practice.
Please read more about opportunities for Primary schools in our monthly newsletter.
Lawrence Sheriff school has a group of talented Language Leaders currently trained in French (other languages to follow), who would love to offer a PE themed language lesson in your school. Please email to enquire.
Please check back regularly for this years CPD events from Swanswell Language Hub.