About Us
Welcome to Solent Language Network: Inspiring Futures Through Languages
At Solent Language Network, we are leading a new national project to break down barriers to opportunity through civic engagement, using language learning as a powerful tool for employability, cultural inclusion, and community cohesion. Based at Admiral Lord Nelson School, our work supports young people across Portsmouth by linking language education with real-world careers, local and global partnerships, and meaningful cross-phase collaboration. Through workshops, employer talks, transition activities, and ambassador programmes, we aim to reframe the value of languages in students’ lives and futures. This initiative strengthens progression routes, celebrates heritage and community languages, and promotes lifelong engagement with languages across the region.
Rebecca Britti
I have a degree in both French and German and bring over 20 years of teaching experience to my role. As a Head of Department for 14 years, I've played a key role in enhancing and expanding our languages faculty. Throughout my career, I've been dedicated to fostering growth and improvement, delivering CPD and actively supporting colleagues in Portsmouth.
Aamir Kohli
I am a teacher with over 15 years of experience with a degree in French and Linguistics. I am a speaker of French, English, Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi. In my role as the Trust Director of MFL at Trafalgar School, I have successfully developed my languages department, implemented impactful curriculum changes, and promoted diversity. Throughout my career, I have consistently displayed a fervent passion for enhancing student outcomes, emphasising individualised support, and championing language success.
Liz Lord
I am the Primary Languages / Key Stage 2-3 Transition Lead and Portsmouth, City of Languages Liaison. In recent years my areas of specialism have been supporting Beginning and Early Career Teachers, promoting Primary Languages Pedagogy, Training and Course Development and Networking.
I have been proud to deliver presentations on national platforms, including to the APPG for Languages, to develop and deliver a new pathway into teaching for undergraduate students and to take on the roles of Organiser of the ALL Portsmouth Primary Hub and Chair of Portsmouth LA Network Leads for Languages.
What motivates me, still, is being able to share my values and, hopefully, inspire others to open their hearts and minds to the wider world.
Our Mission
Our mission is to:
- Empower Educators through innovative, civic-minded approaches to language teaching that connect learning to real-world contexts and careers.
- Engage and Inspire Learners by linking language education with employability, identity, and meaningful cultural experiences.
- Promote Language Uptake and Equity by showcasing the value of all languages—including Heritage, Home and Community Languages—and building clear pathways for progression.
- Support Local Schools and Communities with targeted interventions that drive inclusion, cohesion, and aspiration across Portsmouth.
Through this work, we aim to transform language learning into a powerful vehicle for civic engagement, personal growth, and future opportunity.
About Solent Languages
What We Do:
1. Embedding Civic Engagement Through Languages
We connect language learning with real-world opportunities by embedding civic engagement at the core of our work. Through partnerships with employers, the University of Portsmouth, and community organisations, we help students understand the value of languages in the workplace, in their communities, and in shaping their futures. This approach promotes cultural inclusion, global citizenship, and social mobility.
2. Inspiring Engagement Through Purposeful Learning
Our programmes are designed to make language learning meaningful and relevant. From career-focused workshops to multilingual student ambassador initiatives and transition projects across key stages, we create experiences that boost motivation and confidence. By showing how languages link to identity, careers, and culture, we foster a lasting connection between students and the subjects they study.
3. Building Progression Pathways and Celebrating Diversity
We champion all languages, including Heritage, Home and Community Languages (HHCL), by supporting pathways to formal accreditation and further study. Through targeted support, CPD, and awareness-raising campaigns, we work to ensure every student has access to high-quality language education, regardless of background. Our initiatives strengthen progression routes across schools, colleges, and universities.
4. Strengthening Practice Through Collaboration and CPD
We empower educators with research-informed strategies, regional CPD opportunities, and resources from the National Centre for Language Excellence (NCLE). Our collaborative networks enable colleagues to share best practice, co-develop interventions, and lead innovation in civic-focused language education. This shared commitment supports improved outcomes and sustainable change.
5. Revitalising German and Promoting Multilingualism
As part of our wider commitment to language diversity, we continue to work with the Goethe-Institut and NCLE to increase uptake and interest in German. Through engaging outreach, culturally rich activities, and student-centred events, we demonstrate the relevance and opportunities that come with learning German - and the broader benefits of multilingualism in today's world.
About the NCLE / NPP
The National Consortium for Languages Education (NCLE) is a partnership led by IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society, in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut and the British Council, funded by the Department for Education from 2023 to 2026. NCLE aims to transform language education across England by supporting schools, developing leadership, and enhancing professional development. Following a change in funding in 2024, NCLE now operates through three key strands: a national CPD platform for language teachers, a series of Strategic Learning Networks (SLNs), and 10–15 National Priority Projects (NPPs), each focused on tackling key challenges or themes in language education. Our NPP: Civic Engagement – Language, Identity & Opportunity
As part of this programme, the Solent Language Network is leading an NPP on Civic Engagement, exploring how language learning fosters employability, personal identity, and a stronger sense of belonging in our diverse communities. This includes celebrating linguistic heritage through Global Week, recognising and accrediting HHCL (Home, Heritage, and Community Languages), and strengthening links between mainstream and complementary schools. We are committed to showcasing the power of multilingualism through careers events, employer engagement, and participation in Portsmouth’s City of Languages initiative. Through our Strategic Learning Network, we bring together primary, secondary, and post-16 educators to collaborate, share practice, and build an inclusive, outward-looking vision for language education.
NCLE is coordinating 14 National Priority Projects (NPPs) across the country. Each NPP is led by a Language Network and delivered on the ground in their region.
The NPPs are designed to drive change through research-informed action in classrooms, addressing DfE national priorities and schools’ local/regional needs. They will enhance the quality of languages teaching and learning – enabled by NCLE experts and leveraging UCL Institute of Education’s world-leading research base.
Findings and outputs from the NPPs will feed back into new content exclusively available on the LEO platform. https://ncle.ucl.ac.uk/national-priority-projects/
Other networks
Each Learning Network is coordinated by an NCLE lead school and leads a National Priority Project with coordination from a team of NCLE specialist advisers. Click the image for more information.
