French Statement

French

Our Goal                                                        Passion for Learning...

 At Bentley St Paul's, we want our all our children to have a passion for learning where they gain life – long learning skills; a sense of adventure; the ability to enquire and make emotional connections.  

Our Christian Values

Friendship, Forgiveness, Trust, Peace, Wisdom, Responsibility, Respect and Reverence underpin all that we do and are the foundations of our drivers.

Our Tools

What we want the children to learn

The French curriculum at Bentley St Paul's is designed to foster curiosity and deepen pupils' understanding of the world, inspiring a love of languages and broadening their horizons as global citizens. Our curriculum provides a progressive sequence of learning, enabling children to gradually build skills to express their ideas and communicate effectively in French, both in speech and in writing. Initially, LKS2 focuses on establishing basic skills with a strong emphasis on Speaking and Listening. This foundation then progresses in UKS2 to developing Reading and Writing, incorporating more complex language concepts and promoting learner independence. Ultimately, we aim to grow curious, confident, and reflective language learners who are equipped for further language studies.

Our intent is to foster a love for languages while promoting the following objectives:

1. Cultural Awareness: Pupils will gain insights into French culture, traditions, and values, fostering mutual respect and understanding among different communities.
2. Communication Skills: Through the study of French, pupils will develop their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, enabling them to communicate effectively in everyday situations.
3. Cognitive Development: Learning a foreign language enhances cognitive skills, including problem-solving, critical reasoning, and adaptability.
4. Preparation for Future Learning: By providing a solid foundation in French, we aim to prepare our pupils for further language study and opportunities in secondary education and beyond.

Our curriculum aligns with the National Curriculum requirements, enriching the spiritual and moral development of our pupils in accordance with our Church of England values.

How we teach

Our French curriculum is carefully sequenced so that prior learning is explicitly considered, and opportunities for revising language and grammar are continually built into new knowledge. The scheme of lessons provides the necessary structure, context, and valuable cultural insight into French-speaking countries and communities. Crucially, every lesson integrates the introduction and revision of key vocabulary and grammatical structures. To support this, vocabulary is reinforced through display materials and additional resources, ensuring children have ample opportunities to repeat and review their learning. The entire scheme is designed by language specialists, including native French speakers, providing teachers with the necessary guidance, accurate subject knowledge, and audio materials to feel confident and supported in their delivery.

Impact

The impact of French is assessed through ongoing methods, including regular questioning, built-in review opportunities, and summative assessments. Successful implementation results in a consistent learning environment across KS2 where vocabulary is clearly displayed, spoken, and used by learners. Whole-school and parental engagement have significantly enhanced the use of French and offer wider learning opportunities. Moreover, pupils' retention of the language improves through varied resources, explicit language focus, and more lively lessons, leading to higher rates of linguistic progress and increased appreciation for the subject. Ultimately, ensure that French is loved by teachers and pupils in KS2, thereby encouraging pupils to be prepared for and motivated towards further language studies at KS3. Pupils leave our primary school with a solid foundation in French, equipped with linguistic skills and cultural awareness that prepare them for secondary education. Our commitment to high standards and ongoing improvement in French teaching reflects our dedication to achieving good results. Through our implementation of the French curriculum, we ensure all pupils not only learn the language effectively but also develop a global perspective that aligns with our values as a Church of England school.

Pupils leave our primary school with a good foundation in French, equipped with linguistic skills and cultural awareness that prepare them for secondary education. Our commitment to high standards and continuous improvement in the teaching of French reflects our dedication to achieve good results.

Through our implementation of the French curriculum, we ensure that all pupils not only learn the language effectively but also develop a global perspective that aligns with our values as a Church of England school.