Intent

At Our Lady School, our intent is to inspire a love of languages and develop pupils’ confidence in communicating in French. We aim to broaden children’s cultural awareness, deepen their understanding of the wider world and equip them with essential language-learning skills that will support future language study. Through learning French, pupils develop curiosity, respect for other cultures and the ability to communicate ideas effectively. French is taught by a specialist language teacher, ensuring high-quality instruction, accurate pronunciation and a progressive approach to language acquisition.

Implementation

French is taught once a week across the school by a specialist French teacher, following the National Curriculum and a carefully sequenced programme of study. Lessons develop pupils’ skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing, with a strong emphasis on accurate pronunciation and oral confidence. A range of engaging teaching strategies is used, including songs, stories, games, role-play and visual resources, to support all learners. Vocabulary and grammar are introduced progressively and revisited to support retention. Cultural learning is embedded throughout the curriculum, enabling pupils to learn about French traditions, celebrations and everyday life.

Impact

Through weekly specialist teaching, pupils at Our Lady School develop a secure foundation in French and a positive attitude towards language learning. They are able to understand and use simple spoken and written French, apply basic grammatical structures and demonstrate growing confidence in pronunciation. Pupils show curiosity about other cultures and an appreciation of languages. By the end of primary education, children are well-prepared for further language learning at secondary school.

Inclusion

At Our Lady School, French is inclusive and accessible to all pupils. Teaching is adapted to meet the needs of all learners, including pupils with SEND and those who require additional support. Lessons use a multisensory approach, with visual aids, repetition, modelling and speaking opportunities to support understanding and engagement. Pupils are encouraged to participate at a level appropriate to their ability, with a strong focus on building confidence and enjoyment. Additional support and scaffolding are provided where needed to ensure all children can experience success in learning French.