Modern Foreign Languages

Bonjour! Hola!

At our school, learning a language is about much more than vocabulary tests - it’s about confidence, culture, communication, and opening doors to exciting opportunities around the world.

Our Modern Foreign Languages department is a welcoming, supportive space where every student is encouraged to take risks, have fun, and grow in confidence, whatever their starting point. We are passionate about languages and love helping students discover new cultures, connect with people across the globe, and develop skills that are highly valued in today’s world.

In a world where businesses, travel, gaming, music, sport, and social media connect us globally, speaking another language is a real superpower. In fact, most people around the world do not speak English as their first language, which means learning another language gives students a huge advantage for the future.

Why Learn a Language?

Learning a language helps students to:

Build confidence and communication skills
Discover new cultures, traditions, and ways of life
Improve memory, problem-solving, and creativity
Prepare for future careers and travel opportunities
Stand out to colleges, universities, and employers

Whether students dream of travelling the world, working in sport, fashion, business, gaming, media, or international careers - languages can take them further.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9)

At KS3, lessons are interactive, engaging, and designed to build confidence through teamwork, creativity, and communication. Students develop all four key language skills:

Speaking
Listening
Reading
Writing

Our lessons include games, role play, pair work, cultural learning, technology, and real-life communication activities to keep learning enjoyable and meaningful. Most importantly, we want students to leave lessons feeling successful, motivated, and smiling.

Year 7

Students begin learning either French or Spanish, developing strong foundations in communication, phonics and cultural understanding.

Year 8

Students continue to build their confidence and fluency, while having the opportunity through the options process to begin learning a second language when they start Year 9.

Year 9

Students take part in the AQA Unit Award Scheme, where they can earn certificates for completed language units. This helps boost confidence, motivation, and achievement through practical, non-exam-based success.

From Year 7 to Year 11, our curriculum is carefully planned to prepare students for GCSE success while developing lifelong communication skills.

Key Stage 4 (Years 10–11)

Students can study French and/or Spanish at GCSE using the Edexcel specification. Students who speak another language at home may also have the opportunity to gain a GCSE qualification in that language.

Lessons are taught in mixed ability groups and focus on real-world topics relevant to young people today, including:

GCSE Themes

My Personal World
Lifestyle and Wellbeing
My Neighbourhood
Media and Technology
Studying and My Future
Travel and Tourism

Students are regularly assessed in all four skills: Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing.

Each module also includes grammar and translation practice to strengthen accuracy and confidence.

GCSE Assessment

At the end of Year 11, students complete four equally weighted exams:

Speaking: 25%
Listening: 25%
Reading: 25%
Writing: 25%

The course is fully exam-based with no NEA element.

Careers and Futures with Languages

Languages are valuable in almost every career sector. They can lead directly to careers in:

Translation and interpreting
Teaching and education
International business
Travel and tourism
Media and journalism
Diplomacy and politics

But languages are also highly valued in careers such as:

Sport
Marketing
Law
Hospitality
Fashion
Gaming and technology
Customer relations and management

Employers increasingly look for people who can communicate confidently, work with different cultures, and think globally - all skills developed through language learning.

Learning a language doesn’t just help students pass exams. It helps them become confident, curious, and globally minded young people ready for the future.

Careers in Modern Foreign Languages
Languages can of course be used in language specific careers such as teaching, translating or interpreting but they are also useful in many jobs from reception to top level management or a professional footballer and can often by the deciding factor between candidates as well as in business trades where more and more companies are trading abroad with link companies. As well as being useful for work, travel and tourism, a language can also help to improve literacy and gain an insight into other cultures and traditions around the world.