Holmer Lake Primary School

Curriculum Leader - Mrs. Watson and Miss. Baylis

Subject Leader - Miss. Jukes

Link Governor - Vacancy (currently being supported by all governors)

Learning a foreign language is a necessary part of being a member of a multi-cultural society and provides an opening to other cultures. A high-quality languages education should foster children’s curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world. The teaching should enable children to express their ideas and thoughts in another language and to understand and respond to its speakers, both in speech and in writing. It should also provide opportunities for them to communicate for practical purposes, learn new ways of thinking and read literature in the original language. Language teaching should provide the foundation for learning further languages, equipping children to study and work in other countries.

At Holmer Lake, our 2-year rolling French curriculum is underpinned by our whole school drivers – Wellness, Work, Word. Pupils have weekly lessons in French throughout Key Stage 2, following the resources and units of work from Primary Languages Network. In Lower KS2, children acquire basic skills and understanding of French with a strong emphasis placed on developing their Speaking and Listening skills. These will be embedded and further developed in Upper KS2, alongside Reading and Writing, gradually progressing onto more complex language concepts and greater learner autonomy.

It is intended that when children leave Holmer Lake, they will have a natural curiosity and confidence to explore, other countries, cultures, and languages, accepting that, in a multi-lingual society it is a valuable skill to be able to communicate effectively with others in another language. They will be engaged and prepared to continue language learning at Secondary School.

 Our aims of the French curriculum are to develop our KS2 pupils who will: 

• develop a love of learning about other languages and cultures. 
• gain understanding of both spoken and written French.
• enjoy learning a language.
• confidently speak in French to their peers.
• have high aspirations for future learning and knowledge of how important other languages can be in their future. 

At Holmer Lake, our aims are fulfilled by providing a scheme of work that identifies curriculum end points. There is a clear progression of knowledge and teaching of key concepts. The key concepts that have been identified are the “golden threads” that are revisited throughout the MFL Curriculum. The golden threads support children’s ability to make links in their learning, so new knowledge builds on what has been taught before. As they move through the school, they will develop confidence in communicating their knowledge and understanding using specialist vocabulary.

An example of French Curriculum End Points.

French Curriculum Overview 

Reading

Through reading opportunities, children are provided with opportunities to understand, read and enjoy different texts, such as stories, poems and messages and they can make comparisons with text types and styles from different countries and cultures.

 Writing

Writing in French is used to support and consolidate speaking, listening and reading as pupils develop a basic knowledge of the writing system, spelling and structure of the new language.

 SMSC and British Values

The French curriculum supports the spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development of our children. British Values are actively promoted and embedded into the MFL curriculum. We enhance our children’s understanding of their place in a culturally diverse country by providing them opportunities to:

• Develop a love of learning another language.
• Build an awareness of being part of the wider community and world.
• Show respect towards different languages, cultures and lifestyles.
• Collaborate in speaking and listening through working in pairs, groups and as a whole class.
• Explore and discover as part of a school community through whole school experience days.
• Develop an appreciation of different cultures
• Understand different aspects of French Heritage (eg. Bastille Day)

SEND

At Holmer Lake Primary School we actively seek to remove the barriers to learning and participation that can hinder or exclude individual or groups of pupils. All children benefit from quality first teaching in the classroom where teachers set high expectations, cater for the needs of individuals, and provide opportunities for all pupils to achieve and progress. Teachers are aware that pupils bring different experiences, interests, and strengths to school which influence the way they learn. Teachers plan and adapt their approaches to teaching and learning so that all pupils can take part in lessons fully and effectively. For example, in French, a pupil may require an additional scaffold, for example images to support their understanding.

Curriculum Drivers

The French curriculum provides opportunities for children to develop their understanding of different cultures within the World they live. Learning a foreign modern language provides children with a base on which to develop their own Work aspirations and sense of opportunity in their futures.