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This means that the Government approved our plans and gave us support and extra funding to be a centre of excellence for the teaching of modern languages.

We have to share our knowledge and experience with the local community. For example, this year WES teachers went to local primary schools to give Year 6 classes weekly lessons in French or Spanish. In particular, a number of companies gave £100,000 of sponsorship to enable our bid to qualify. There are about 70 schools across the country that have become Language Colleges.

Ours is the only boys' comprehensive school.
There are two new classrooms and an office which, with three refurbished rooms, make up the Language Department suite; one language room (Room 8) is equipped with an interactive multimedia network of computers specifically dedicated for use by the Department.

All boys take two languages in Year 8 and Year 9, currently French, German or Spanish. We
aim to have most boys taking both languages through to GCSE and many more continuing with
a language in the Sixth Form, once the reform of 'A' Level is implemented. Chinese ('Putonga’, or Mandarin) is offered in Years 12 and 13. Boys with a 'heritage' language are encouraged to develop it and take GCSE when ready.

Do you have to be good at languages to come here?
No – but it helps if you are keen to work hard and to try hard. If you can already speak another language, it may help you in learning others.

You should be prepared to try to memorise lots of new vocabulary, to be prepared to speak and listen – and to learn from your mistakes.

You should be willing to visit other countries, and perhaps stay with a family.

You should be interested in working abroad one day, or using your language with a British company, such as British Airways, that trades with other countries

William Ellis School became a 'specialist school' – a Language College – 
from 1 September 1997.