“I like learning another language. Now that I speak French I am going to go to France when I’m older. I love the food!” Year 5 pupil

During their time at Danesfield, we want all students to make progress in both understanding French (listening and reading) and communicating French themselves (speaking and writing).

The scheme of learning is structured in such a way as to take students through key topics represented in the GCSE specification, firstly at a basic level at KS2, and then towards ‘secure’ and ‘greater depth/mastery’ at KS3.

The core requirements of the new GCSE, such as translation and roleplay, are included more explicitly in Years 7 and 8 when time allocations are increased, but the skills of language analysis, adaptation and development are introduced to students as early as possible to embed a curiosity in the subject and the confidence and sense of achievement that will spur them on.

Challenges such as grammar and language structure are taught both explicitly and within the context of topic areas, as the teacher feels necessary to move the learning forward. This can be included at any time in KS2 or KS3, but especially in Year 8 when students tackle the past tense in an extended written account in all 3 tenses.