French
At Northleaze, we believe that learning a foreign language is for all pupils and plays a vital role in developing confident, curious and respectful learners. Our French curriculum is designed to inspire pupils, develop a lifelong interest in languages and equip children with the foundational knowledge and skills they need for future language learning.
French is our chosen modern foreign language and is taught using the Salut scheme, which provides a carefully sequenced and progressive approach to language acquisition. Through French, pupils develop their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, alongside a growing understanding of grammar, pronunciation and vocabulary.
Learning French at Northleaze supports pupils to:
- Communicate ideas and responses confidently in another language
- Develop strong oracy, memory and listening skills which transfer across the wider curriculum
- Build resilience, independence and a positive attitude towards challenge
- Gain an appreciation of other cultures, traditions and ways of life, fostering respect and global awareness
Our curriculum is ambitious yet inclusive. It ensures that all pupils, including those with additional needs, are supported to succeed through repetition, modelling, retrieval practice and multisensory learning. French lessons are designed to be enjoyable and motivating for both pupils and teachers, many of whom are not subject specialists, helping to create a shared culture of enthusiasm for language learning.
The curriculum progressively develops pupils’ ability to acquire, use and apply a growing bank of vocabulary, organised around a range of meaningful and familiar topics. As pupils move through the school, they are increasingly able to form phrases and sentences, express opinions and understand simple spoken and written French, laying secure foundations for KS3 language learning.
Implementation
French is taught weekly in Key Stage 2 using the Salut interactive whiteboard resources, which provide structured lessons, high-quality audio, clear progression and built-in opportunities for retrieval and assessment. Where possible, French is also used in everyday classroom routines to reinforce key vocabulary, such as counting, greetings and simple instructions.
In EYFS and Key Stage 1, pupils are introduced to basic French vocabulary and phrases through songs, stories, games and topic links, developing early language awareness and positive attitudes towards learning languages.
Key features of French teaching at Northleaze include:
- A clear progression from listening and speaking towards reading and writing
- Regular opportunities for repetition and recall to strengthen memory
- Active learning approaches such as songs, games, role play and conversational practice
- Visual support and scaffolding to ensure accessibility for all learners
- Increasing expectations for recording work through pictures, captions and simple sentences as confidence grows
Cultural understanding is strengthened through our annual French Day, links with a partner school in France, and cross-curricular links to Geography and History, enabling pupils to deepen their understanding of French culture and French-speaking countries.
The annual French breakfast, shared between EYFS and Year 6 pupils, provides meaningful opportunities for older pupils to consolidate and apply their learning by teaching vocabulary and phrases to younger children.
French is made visible and valued across the school through:
- Classroom displays that are updated regularly
- French signage around the school environment
- Celebration of pupils’ work and achievements
Impact
The impact of the French curriculum at Northleaze is that pupils:
- Enjoy learning French and demonstrate positive attitudes towards languages
- Are confident to listen, speak, read and write at an age-appropriate level
- Retain key vocabulary and language structures over time
- Show curiosity and respect for other cultures
The teaching and learning of French is monitored by the Curriculum Leader through:
- Book scrutiny
- Lesson observations and learning walks
- Staff discussions and professional dialogue
- Pupil voice and interviews
This ensures the curriculum is consistently implemented, supports progression, and continues to meet the needs of all learners.
