Languages

The Languages department is driven by a clear and ambitious intent to inspire a lifelong passion for languages and foster global citizenship among our students.

We are committed to providing a rigorous and dynamic language-learning curriculum that enables all students to achieve their full potential. Through a combination of varied teaching methods, authentic resources and tailored support, we strive to develop students' proficiency in their chosen language, equipping them with the skills needed for success in examinations and beyond.

We believe that language learning goes beyond grammar and vocabulary; it is a gateway to understanding and appreciating diverse cultures and perspectives. Our curriculum incorporates rich cultural content and real-world connections to deepen students' understanding of the societies in which their target languages are spoken. By promoting empathy, curiosity and open-mindedness, we aim to nurture culturally competent individuals who can thrive in an interconnected world.

Our languages curriculum is designed to empower students to become active participants in the global community. Through varied communication tasks, including projects with schools abroad, and opportunities for international travel, we encourage students to use their language skills to engage with real-world issues, forge meaningful connections with speakers of other languages and contribute positively to cross-cultural dialogue and cooperation. We have built in regular exposure to the culture of the language studied to ensure that all students, regardless of socio-economic background, can develop a broad understanding of the places where the language is spoken.

Curriculum content is chosen to give students a solid foundation in the language they are studying and is sequential in nature. Year 7 focus on the present tense, Year 8 on the future and infinitive constructions and Year 9 sees the introduction of the past tense. Alongside this, students develop a breadth of vocabulary then builds across Key Stage 3 into Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5. Topics are revisited regularly to allow students to strengthen their vocabulary knowledge in different grammatical contexts.

Through our unwavering commitment to academic excellence and cultural understanding, we aspire to empower every student to become a confident, compassionate, and effective communicator who is prepared to make a positive impact in an increasingly interconnected and multilingual world.