French

IGCSE:     In 2024, 46% of candidates achieved 9-7 (A*/A)                 

A Level:   In 2024, 100 % gained A*

In Years 7 we have introduced the Dynamo course. Teaching is dynamic and lively and staff use a variety of activities and approaches to best teach the four skills required in a language classroom: listening, speaking, reading and writing. 

Year 7 pupils are offered a taster course for French alongside German, Spanish and Latin in term 1 and are taught 4 periods of French per fortnight. The Year 7 taster course covers the basics and also aims to stretch and challenge those who have already studied some French. Towards the end of Term 1, pupils decide which two languages they wish to continue studying in Year 8 from a choice of French, Spanish, German and Latin. 

Class sizes are typically 12-24 in Years 7-9. During Year 8 pupils receive 5 periods of French teaching per fortnight plus approximately 1 hour of homework. In Year 9 pupils continue working with the course Dynamo, which is in line with the requirements of IGCSE, and are taught French for 5 periods per fortnight; they receive 1½ hours of homework per fortnight. 

Key Stage 4: At IGCSE, the Edexcel Examination Board specification and the IGCSE ‘Studio’ course is followed. The skills of listening, reading, speaking and writing are assessed in four papers at the end of Year 11. The topics covered are based around four themes: Theme 1: Everyday life at home and at school; Theme 2: Self, family and friends - at home and abroad;  Theme 3: The world around us and Theme 4: Life from infancy to adulthood. The oral examination includes a photo-based short conversation and a general conversation, while the written examination includes different types of writing tasks of different lengths. In Years 10 and 11, pupils receive 6 periods of French teaching per cycle and approximately 2 hours of homework. 

All pupils in Years 10 and 11 benefit from the help of a native French Assistant who is familiar with the examination content. Support sessions are available where needed from the subject teacher. Fortnightly lessons are timetabled in the language laboratories.

At A Level, we follow the Hodder French for AQA course. In Years 12 and 13, pupils receive 12 periods of teaching per fortnight. The class sizes in Years 12 and 13 usually do not exceed single figures to ensure that pupils receive the right level of individual attention. All A Level pupils benefit from at least one hour per fortnight of timetabled conversation practice with the French Assistant.  Fortnightly lessons are timetabled in the language laboratories.

At A Level, the topics covered include aspects of French-speaking society: current trends; current issues; artistic culture in the French-speaking world; and aspects of political life in the French-speaking world. All examinations are taken at the end of Year 13. The examination consists of a speaking exam and two written papers; Paper 1 covers listening, reading and writing and Paper 2 is an essay paper based on the study of a French book and a film. The oral examination lasts about 20 minutes in total and includes a presentation and discussion based on an individual research project.  For the Sixth Form, we recommend a minimum of Grade 7 at GCSE level to embark on French at this level. 

At Key Stage 3, all pupils are assessed each term   Pupil progress is closely monitored, appropriate targets for improvement are set with guidance given and regular feedback to parents. 

At Key Stage 4, pupils are regularly monitored and assessed. Targets are set regularly and support is offered and put in place. End of year examinations are taken at the end of Years 7, 8, 9 and 10. Public exams (GCSE and A Level examinations) are taken in Years 11 and 13. 

At KS3, pupils are invited to attend various French and MFL clubs. Additional enrichment activities run throughout the year to celebrate such events as ‘European Day of Languages’. There is also an annual prestigious Modern Languages Reading Competition. In Year 7 we take a large group to France for an activities holiday which is run by French staff.  In Years 9, 10 and 11 we take a group to Paris, and at Sixth Form level we offer a study trip to Paris where students can extend their knowledge of the French society and strengthen their oral fluency, which will prove very valuable in their speaking examination.

At KS4, pupils are encouraged to attend French support clinics as well as be part of the MFL Linguavox editorial team which gives  students a chance to write in French for a school magazine.  At KS5, we offer extra-curricular activities such as study days at nearby universities, French Cinema Club, trip opportunities and prestigious competitions such as the annual regional Modern Languages debating competition. 

The range of combined degrees and further education courses involving a language is limitless. Many universities even offer funding for students to continue or extend their language knowledge by travelling or working abroad during the holidays.