French

"Go and make disciples of all nations."

— Matthew 28:19

At Our Lady & St Joseph Catholic Primary School, we believe that learning a foreign language is an important part of preparing children to thrive in an increasingly interconnected and diverse world. Through the study of French, children develop communication skills, cultural awareness and an appreciation of different languages, traditions and ways of life. Our French curriculum encourages curiosity, broadens horizons and fosters respect for people from different backgrounds and cultures.

French is taught weekly by class teachers from Year 3 to Year 6 through a carefully sequenced curriculum that builds knowledge and skills progressively across Key Stage Two. Learning is organised into engaging topics that allow children to develop confidence in speaking, listening, reading and writing in French while revisiting and building upon previously taught vocabulary, grammar and language structures.

A key feature of our curriculum is the use of Physical French Phonics, which helps children learn and retain French sounds through actions, movement and repetition. This approach supports accurate pronunciation, develops listening skills and enables children to build confidence when speaking French. By explicitly teaching phonics alongside vocabulary and grammar, children develop a secure understanding of the relationship between sounds, spelling and meaning, laying strong foundations for future language learning.

In line with the National Curriculum, children are taught to listen attentively and respond to spoken language, engage in conversations, ask and answer questions, express opinions and present information to others. They explore the sounds and patterns of language through songs, rhymes, stories and phonics activities, helping them to communicate with increasing accuracy and confidence. As their knowledge develops, children learn to read and understand a range of words, phrases and simple texts, while also writing increasingly complex sentences using the vocabulary and grammatical structures they have learned.

Through regular opportunities to perform, present and converse in French, children develop their oracy skills and gain confidence in speaking to a range of audiences. They are encouraged to communicate in full sentences, respond to questions and engage in purposeful dialogue, helping them to become effective communicators both within and beyond the classroom.

We recognise the rich linguistic diversity within our school community and actively encourage children to make connections between French, English and their home languages. By comparing vocabulary, sounds, grammar and sentence structures, children deepen their understanding of how languages work. For our children who speak English as an Additional Language (EAL), opportunities to draw upon and celebrate their home languages help to strengthen their language awareness, build confidence and reinforce the value of multilingualism. This approach promotes inclusion while enabling all children to develop a greater appreciation of the diverse languages and cultures represented within our school and wider community.

Our curriculum aims to inspire a sense of awe and wonder about the wider world. Children learn about French-speaking countries and cultures, helping them to understand and appreciate the diversity of the global community. Through this cultural learning, children develop respect, empathy and an understanding of how language can help build relationships and connect people across different communities and nations.

As with all areas of our curriculum, we are committed to ensuring that every child can access and succeed in French. Through adaptive teaching, scaffolded support, visual resources, repetition and appropriate levels of challenge, learning is carefully tailored to meet the needs of all learners. Opportunities for speaking, listening, reading and writing are adapted where necessary to ensure that all children can participate confidently and make progress. Our inclusive approach ensures that children with SEND are supported to develop their language skills alongside their peers.

We regularly assess children's understanding through questioning, discussion, practical language activities, written work and ongoing teacher assessment. These opportunities allow teachers to identify next steps in learning and ensure that knowledge and skills are retained and built upon over time.

As a result, our children leave Key Stage Two with a strong foundation in French and a positive attitude towards language learning. They develop confidence in communicating in another language, an appreciation of different cultures and an understanding of the value of languages in modern society. Most importantly, they develop the curiosity, resilience and communication skills that will support future language learning and help them become active, respectful citizens in an increasingly global world.