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At Sheriff Hutton Primary School, we believe that learning a modern foreign language gives children an important opportunity to communicate with others, explore different cultures and develop a wider understanding of the world.
French is taught throughout Key Stage 2. We use the Kapow Primary French scheme of learning to support the planning and delivery of our curriculum, adapting it where appropriate to meet the needs of our mixed-age classes and our children.
We want our children to develop a love of languages and the confidence to communicate in French. Learning another language also helps children to understand that people communicate and live in different ways, encouraging curiosity, respect and appreciation of other cultures and communities.
Our French curriculum follows the expectations of the National Curriculum for Languages and provides children with a strong foundation for further language learning at secondary school.
Our French curriculum aims to develop children who:
We want children to understand that making mistakes is a natural and valuable part of language learning. Our aim is for children to become confident communicators rather than being afraid of getting things wrong.
We use the Kapow Primary French scheme of learning to provide a clear, progressive structure for language learning across Key Stage 2.
The scheme has been selected because it provides systematic development of vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, speaking, listening, reading and writing. Teachers adapt the planning where appropriate to reflect our mixed-age classes and the individual needs of our children.
Lessons are carefully sequenced so that new learning builds on what children already know. Previously taught vocabulary and grammatical structures are regularly revisited through retrieval, repetition and practical activities.
Listening and Speaking
In Lower Key Stage 2, there is a particular emphasis on developing children’s listening and speaking skills.
Children hear French regularly and are encouraged to listen carefully to pronunciation and intonation. They practise:
Children are given frequent opportunities to hear authentic French, including recordings of native speakers, helping them to develop accurate pronunciation and an understanding of natural spoken language.
As children progress through Upper Key Stage 2, speaking and listening skills are developed alongside increasingly sophisticated reading and writing.
Reading and Writing
As children’s vocabulary and confidence develop, they are increasingly expected to read and write in French.
They learn to:
Children are encouraged to use their developing knowledge independently rather than relying solely on copying or translation.
Vocabulary and Grammar
Vocabulary is carefully selected and revisited regularly so that children build a secure bank of commonly used French words and phrases.
Grammar is introduced progressively and in an age-appropriate way. Children develop an understanding of how French works, including word order, gender, articles, verbs and other key grammatical features.
The regular retrieval of vocabulary and language structures helps children to remember more and use their language knowledge with increasing confidence.
Understanding French Culture
Language learning is also cultural learning.
Children explore aspects of life in France and other French-speaking countries and communities. They learn about similarities and differences between their own lives and those of children and families in other parts of the world.
Through stories, songs, celebrations, traditions, food, places and everyday life, children develop an appreciation of the diversity of the French-speaking world.
This helps children to develop respect for other cultures and to understand that there are many different ways of living, communicating and experiencing the world.
Cross-Curricular Learning
Where appropriate, French is linked to other areas of the curriculum. Children may use French when learning about:
These links provide meaningful contexts in which children can use and apply their French.
We believe that every child can learn another language. Our French curriculum is designed to be accessible and ambitious for all children, including children with SEND and other additional needs.
Teachers use appropriate scaffolding, repetition, visual prompts, practical activities, songs, gestures, modelling and carefully structured speaking opportunities to support children in accessing the curriculum.
Children may demonstrate their language learning in different ways, and appropriate adaptations are made to support individual needs while maintaining high expectations.
We also recognise the importance of representation and equality within language learning. Children are introduced to the diversity of people and communities across the French-speaking world and encouraged to challenge stereotypes and develop respect for different cultures, identities and experiences.
By the end of Key Stage 2, our children will have developed the knowledge and skills expected by the National Curriculum for Languages.
Our children will:
Most importantly, we want our children to leave Sheriff Hutton Primary School with the confidence, curiosity and enthusiasm to continue learning languages and to see language learning as a way of opening doors to new people, places and cultures.
Assessment is integrated throughout French lessons. Teachers use questioning, observation, listening, speaking activities, reading and written work to assess children’s developing knowledge and skills.
Children’s existing vocabulary and knowledge are revisited regularly, enabling teachers to identify gaps and adapt teaching accordingly.
The impact of our French curriculum is monitored through lesson observations, work scrutiny, assessment, pupil voice and discussions with teachers and the subject leader. This ensures that children make appropriate progress and develop confidence across listening, speaking, reading and writing.
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