Year 9
On arriving in Year 9, students will continue with their study of French and learn either German or Spanish as their second modern foreign language. If parents / carers have a strong preference with regard to the second language, then they are invited to indicate this on the transfer document from middle schools. The KS3 curriculum has been created to enable students to develop skills and linguistic competence within a range of common topic areas. Students are taught in mixed ability groups and assessed in the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing, as well as given an insight into the cultures and civilisations of those countries where the language is spoken.

GCSE 
At Key Stage 4 students have the opportunity to continue with one or both languages through to GCSE. They can also take up Latin Language at this point, through to GCSE.

In Years 10 and 11 students are working towards their GCSE qualifications and these will be assessed in the four language skills of listening, reading, speaking and writing at the end of the course in Year 11. These four skills are tested in a variety of theme areas which are taught during the GCSE course and introduced in the final term of year 9.  Both the French and Spanish departments use the Edexcel examination board whilst the German department uses the AQA examination board. The Latin GCSE assesses students on their ability to comprehend and translate Latin, and on their knowledge of Latin literature and aspects of Roman civilisation. We use the Eduqas exam board.

A level
We are proud to be able to offer all three languages at A level.  French and Spanish use the Edexcel examination board whilst German uses AQA. Both specifications are designed to make language learning enjoyable and stimulating whilst rewarding advanced research and knowledge of the culture.  All three departments have rooms designated to independent study, where students can make use of the array of authentic resources in their own free periods.

Additional opportunities

The faculty offers a range of cultural experiences abroad designed to develop students’ linguistic skills, independence and social interaction.  

The French department runs an immersion trip to Rouen in France where students in years 10-13 stay with host families and participate in day trips to Giverny and Honfleur.  

Students in years 9-13 who study Spanish have the opportunity to stay with host families in Malaga, Spain and take part in cultural activities such as flamenco dancing and paella making. 

The Latin department takes students to Italy, to visit the historical sites of Pompeii, Herculaneum
and Rome.

Finally, the highly successful German Exchange visit takes place in Bavaria, southern Germany where students in years 9-12 have the opportunity to stay with a host family and welcome the same partner back to England later in the same year.

The Modern Foreign Languages Team