National education leaders visit North East to explore ambitious language curriculum
National education leaders headed to the North East this week to get first-hand experience of Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust’s (BWCET) commitment to Modern Foreign Languages (MFL). What an honour!
Sir Ian Bauckham CBE, Chief Regulator at Ofqual, was joined by senior colleagues from the Department for Education (DfE) to discover more about BWCET’s ambitious approach to language learning.
A strong and knowledge-rich MFL curriculum
BWCET schools provide continuous language education from Year three through to GCSE, an approach which reflects recommendations from the national curriculum review published in Autumn 2025.
Sir Ian and DfE colleagues spent time at Cardinal Hume Catholic School (Gateshead) along with St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School (County Durham), exploring how the Trust’s schools have implemented a strong and knowledge-rich MFL curriculum over the past three years.
Central to the Trust’s curriculum are the three key pillars of progression in language learning: phonics, vocabulary and grammar. This structured approach enables pupils to revisit their learning over time, building retention, fluency and confidence as they move from primary through to secondary education.
The visitors sat in on lessons to see the curriculum in action and also met with Trust leaders including head Teachers and subject leaders to explore its positive impact on pupils.
Knowledge and skills needed for future study and life beyond school
Claire Brown, senior director of performance and standards at BWCET, said: “We are so proud of our pupils and staff and what they achieve in our schools and we welcomed the opportunity to contribute to national conversations about effective curriculum design and implementation in languages.
“Our Trust schools are committed to providing all pupils with access to a rich, ambitious and inclusive curriculum that broadens horizons, builds cultural understanding and equips our pupils with the knowledge and skills they need for future study and life beyond school, enabling all to flourish.”
The visit also highlighted how BWCET’s curriculum is underpinned by high quality professional development and a strong culture of collaboration between schools, which helps to support teachers to deliver the curriculum with confidence and precision.
Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, said: “This visit is a real moment of pride for the North East. It shines a light on the ambition, expertise and collaboration happening across our schools every day.
“What BWCET is demonstrating through its approach to languages is exactly what we need to see more of nationally: a clear commitment to high-quality curriculum, strong subject knowledge and giving every young person the opportunity to broaden their horizons.
“It’s fantastic to see national leaders coming here to learn from the work taking place in our region.”