French
The subject leader for French is Mrs Barnes
Our children also visit France at the beginning of Year 6 - take a look at some of the photographs on the website.
This year we are implementing and refining a new curriculum approach for French (MFL) at Grange Primary School. We are going to roll out the curriculum across Key Stage 2 this academic year. In practice, this means that all Key Stage 2 year groups will work from the same unit.
French Curriculum Overview 2025-2026
French (MFL) Curriculum Statement
Intent
At Grange Primary School, our French curriculum is designed to foster a deep curiosity and lasting passion for languages. We intend for our pupils to develop an understanding of French as a means of communication, a window into another culture, and a skill that enhances future opportunities. Our curriculum is ambitious and aims to equip all pupils, regardless of their starting point, with the foundational knowledge and skills to understand and express themselves in French, both orally and in writing.
We aim to:
- Develop linguistic competence: Enable pupils to understand and communicate information in French, focusing on practical vocabulary and grammatical structures relevant to their age and experience.
- Build cultural capital: Provide pupils with insights into the culture of France and other French-speaking communities, broadening their horizons and fostering respect for diversity. The Year 6 residential visit to France is a cornerstone of this aim, providing an immersive experience.
- Prepare for future learning: Lay strong foundations for Key Stage 3 language learning, ensuring pupils are confident and enthusiastic linguists.
- Address social context: Recognise the context of our school, and actively use language learning, particularly the aspirational Year 6 trip, to build confidence, broaden perspectives, and provide enriching experiences.
- Meet National Curriculum requirements: Ensure full coverage of the Key Stage 2 Programme of Study for Languages, developing skills in listening, speaking, reading, writing, and intercultural understanding.
Implementation
Our French curriculum will be implemented through a coherently planned and sequenced scheme of work, delivered from Year 3 to Year 6.
- Structured Progression: Each year group will cover three thematic units per year (Autumn, Spring, Summer), with each unit comprising six distinct lessons. Content is sequenced to build systematically on prior learning, starting with foundational vocabulary and phonics for pupils with no prior French.
- Research-Informed Pedagogy: Lessons will incorporate Rosenshine's Principles of Instruction:
- Regular Review: Each lesson will begin with a recap quiz to consolidate prior knowledge.
- Presentation of New Material in Small Steps: New vocabulary and grammatical concepts will be introduced incrementally.
- Guided Practice: Teacher modelling, choral repetition, and structured activities will support initial learning.
- Independent Practice: Pupils will have opportunities to use the language in varied contexts, including through short, teacher-created texts.
- Engaging Resources: While we will create core resources, including short texts and quizzes, we will also supplement learning with authentic materials, songs, games, and interactive activities.
- Focus on Oracy: Significant emphasis will be placed on developing pupils' confidence in speaking French, with regular opportunities for oral practice.
- Reading and Writing Development: Pupils will be exposed to written French through age-appropriate texts that reinforce vocabulary and grammar. Writing tasks will progress from single words to simple sentences and short paragraphs.
- Cultural Immersion: Each lesson will include a "Plenary and Cultural Connection." The Year 5 Summer term unit, "En Route pour la France!", is specifically designed to prepare pupils for the linguistic and cultural aspects of their Year 6 residential visit.
- Assessment for Learning: Ongoing formative assessment through questioning, observation, and review of work will inform teaching. End-of-unit assessments will gauge pupil progress against unit objectives.
- Teacher Expertise: Teachers will be supported with clear planning and resources to deliver the curriculum effectively.
Impact
By the end of Key Stage 2, pupils at Grange Primary School will:
- Communicate with Confidence: Be able to understand and respond to spoken and written French on a variety of familiar topics. They will be able to ask and answer simple questions, express opinions, and describe people, places, things, and actions.
- Demonstrate Understanding: Show comprehension of key vocabulary, phrases, and basic grammatical structures. They will be able to read and understand short, simple texts.
- Write in French: Be able to write phrases and simple sentences from memory, and adapt these to create new sentences, using a growing vocabulary.
- Exhibit Cultural Awareness: Have a greater understanding and appreciation of French culture and the French-speaking world. They will approach their Year 6 trip to France with enthusiasm and be able to apply their learning in authentic contexts.
- Be Prepared Linguists: Possess the foundational skills and positive attitude necessary for successful language learning at Key Stage 3 and beyond.
- Show Broadened Horizons: Demonstrate increased confidence and aspiration, partly as a result of the enriching experiences provided by the French curriculum, including the residential visit.
- Meet or Exceed Expectations: Achieve in line with, or exceed, the expected standards for the end of Key Stage 2 in Languages.
The impact of our curriculum will be measured through ongoing formative assessment, end-of-unit assessments, pupil voice, and observation of pupils' engagement and confidence in using French. The success of the Year 6 trip will also serve as a key indicator of the practical application of their learning.
Follow the link below for the full programme of study for Languages:
Have a go at learning some French words
Learn your French numbers with this catchy song https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lsc3qLMaCu8
Learn to introduce yourself with this song https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NXkJ88ygPY0