The Modern Languages curriculum is designed to enable our students to be strong, capable linguists.
Our aim is that all students should be confident speakers, using accurate pronunciation to communicate effectively. This confidence in the spoken language will support success in written language, as well as in Listening and Reading. We have high expectations of our students, encouraging them to be ambitious with the language they are learning. As teachers, we model the language with a true passion for our subject, highlighting key grammatical structures and explaining these in a way that makes them accessible to all.
Key Stage 3
All students are expected to study a language (either French or Spanish). The topics covered at Key Stage 3 mirror the key themes at Key Stage 4.
Year 7 - Students will study either French or Spanish. Topics studied include being able to talk about yourself and family members, talking about school life, and in term 5 and 6 we learn to talk about holidays. The language is delivered using parallel texts, which expose the students to many high level grammatical concepts and vocabulary from the start of year 7 . We don't want our students to be good year 7s... we want them to be the best year 7s possible.
Year 8 - Students will continue with the language learned in year 7. Topics covered include describing where you live, technology, and healthy lifestyles. As with year 7, a variety of vocabulary and grammatical structures are delivered to give students the confidence to speak in the Target Language. Our year 8s are not just trying to be good, they are trying to be the best year 8s possible.
Year 9 - students continue with the language studied in year 7 and 8. Topics covered include your local area, future plans, and family and relationships. By year 9, our students are not just good... they are the best year 9s possible!
Key Stage 4
We encourage the vast majority of students in year 10 and 11 to continue with the language they have learned through Key Stage 3. From September 2024 students will follow the Pearson Edexcel exam specification. The year 11 students in 2024-25 will continue to follow the AQA exam specification. The exams are split into 2 tiers (Foundation and Higher), and all four skills (Listening, reading, speaking and writing) are assessed. Many of the topics covered at Key STage 3 are revisited in more depth at Key Stage 4, and students are exposed to a wide variety of exam material from the very beginning of the course.
Key Stage 5
We use the Pearson Edexcel A Level specification. The course is incredibly interesting, looking at various elements of the culture and society of the Target Language World. Topics range from changes in society and leisure to politics, as well as including a study of a book and a film in the Target Language.