French

Language begins with stories, songs and conversation. Children learn through nursery rhymes, picture books, role play and shared storytelling, building vocabulary naturally as they play and explore. They listen, ask questions, retell familiar stories and begin to recognise letters and sounds, laying the foundations for reading and writing.

As students become increasingly independent readers and writers, they explore an increasingly rich variety of texts. They discover traditional tales, fables, myths and poetry, write stories, letters and reports, and develop their understanding of grammar and spelling through meaningful contexts. Drama, storytelling and class discussions help students grow in confidence as speakers and communicators.

Students deepen their appreciation of French language and literature through increasingly sophisticated texts and writing. They analyse characters, compare texts, write biographies, persuasive pieces and creative narratives, and learn to support their ideas through discussion and debate. Dedicated writing workshops help students refine style and sentence construction, while spelling workshops develop accuracy and confidence. Literature is regularly connected with other areas of learning, helping students see language as a way of understanding the world.

French extends beyond the classroom through a wide range of cultural and creative experiences, from poetry recitations and creative writing competitions to theatre performances. In Upper Primary, residential trips to France give students the chance to use their French in authentic settings while exploring the country's history, landscape and culture. Past destinations have included Normandy and the châteaux of the Loire Valley, with each trip designed to make connections between language learning and subjects such as History and Geography.