TTLN Team

Tracy Williams

Network Lead Arthur Terry

Languages:  French, Spanish (and a little bit of Latin!)

Current Role:  Trent and Tame Language Network Lead, ATLP Trust Lead for Languages, Arthur Terry SCITT Languages Lead.

Experience:

Since completing her PGCE in 2005, Tracy has taught French, Spanish and Latin in two secondary schools. She has been a French subject lead and a Core Leader for Languages.  She is currently the Languages Subject Pedagogy Lead for the Arthur Terry SCITT and the ATLP’s trust lead for Languages.  As Trust lead, Tracy supports the ATLP’s 6 secondary Language heads of department to implement their innovative and comprehensive curriculum plans in in KS3, KS4 and KS5.  Over the last five years, she has also been responsible for the design and resourcing of a KS2 ATLP French Curriculum which has included extensive CPD for non-specialist teachers. Much of her work as Trust Lead focuses on developing understanding of and implementing elements of the 2016 MFL pedagogy review. The impact of this work can be seen in healthy take-up of languages at GCSE level and beyond alongside the steadily improving outcomes at GCSE across secondary schools in the trust.

As Network Lead for TTLN, Tracy is excited to bring language teachers and leaders across the region together to create a strong and sustainable network of passionate linguists who share best practice and find innovative solutions to the challenges we encounter on a daily basis!

Specific Areas of Interest: 

• Transition
• Cognitive Science
• Developing Intrinsic Motivation for language learning
• Finding ways to get young people actually SPEAKING different languages

What was your initial motivation to learn another language?

When I was in primary school, my parents used to have ‘secret’ conversations at home in French every time they wanted to say something but didn’t want my siblings and I to understand.  I was determined to be part of these conversations and decided to try really hard in French lessons.  I was delighted when aged about 14, I was able to join in the conversations!  By that point, I was hooked and languages were an integral part of my life.

Clare Oberman

Network Lead  Painsley Catholic College

Languages:  French, Spanish, German and Latin

Current Role:  Trent and Tame Language Network Lead, The Golden Thread Teaching School Hub director, North Mids Maths Hub Senior Leadership Link, and the Manager of The Bell Foundation Centre of Expertise for the West Midlands

Experience:

Clare has taught French, German and Spanish for nearly 30 years. She has worked in a range of schools in both rural and urban settings and in areas of high disadvantage.  She has led large Languages departments and has previously been responsible for establishing a Language College in a school setting under SSAT.  As a lead of three Hubs, Clare is passionate about professional development of all staff to improve outcomes and life chances for children and to support the recruitment and retention of practitioners in all school settings.

As Network Lead for TTLN, Clare is committed to increasing the uptake of modern foreign languages and developing high quality local and regional language networks to support practitioners.  Clare is eager to collaborate with others using evidence-informed practice to support language learning and strong outcomes for students.

Specific Areas of Interest: 

• Metacognition and self-regulated learning
• Oracy and language acquisition
• Disciplinary literacy

What was your initial motivation to learn another language?

My family has always advocated the importance of learning about and from others.  My very first language teacher when I was 8 was wonderful.  She was patient, kind and pushed me to be my very best.   I was very lucky to have inspirational language teachers throughout my own schooling and many opportunities to travel abroad.  I always wanted to learn more and experience new cultures.

Chris Parry

Head of Languages Painsley Catholic College

Languages:  French, German

Current Role:   Head of Modern Foreign Languages, Painsley Catholic College

Experience:

Since completing a BA (hons) in French and Management at The University of Leeds, and a PGCE at Keele University, Chris has taught French and German and been Head of Languages in two secondary schools.  Chris is currently Head of Languages at Painsley Catholic College, leading a team of five teachers to deliver French, German and Spanish to GCSE.  Chris joined the TTLN team in September 2024, and is keen to share his love of languages and language pedagogy with colleagues in other schools.

Specific Areas of Interest: 

• Developing motivation and self-belief amongst language learners
• Making languages accessible to all
• Cognitive science
• Broadening horizons and developing global awareness

What was your initial motivation to learn another language?

Since being brought up bilingually in English and French, I have always had an inherent love for languages.  This developed further when I was at school and I had a teacher who inspired me to learn German.  I have always enjoyed travelling, and my love for languages and other cultures grew further when I spent six months travelling the world following my degree.  Entering the teaching profession gave me the opportunity to inspire learners to develop their cultural awareness and their love for language learning.