French - MFL

Welcome to the French section of our school website. At our primary school, we believe that learning a modern foreign language, such as French, is essential for broadening our pupils' horizons and fostering a greater understanding of different cultures. Taught by a specialist teacher, our engaging French lessons not only enhance linguistic skills but also support cognitive development and promote effective communication. By introducing French at an early age, we aim to equip our children with valuable skills that will benefit them throughout their education and future lives.

Subject Leader - Madame Darby

Curriculum Intent

At our school, we believe that learning a foreign language is an essential part of pupils’ cultural education. Our French curriculum is designed to be ambitious, inclusive and knowledge-rich, enabling pupils to develop confidence in speaking, listening, reading and writing in another language.

Our intent is that pupils:

Develop strong phonological awareness and accurate pronunciation
Build a secure core vocabulary and understanding of key grammatical structures
Gain disciplinary knowledge of how language works, including patterns and sentence construction
Develop confidence in speaking and listening through regular practice and repetition
Begin to read and write in French with increasing independence
Understand and appreciate French culture and traditions
Develop curiosity and enthusiasm for learning languages beyond primary school

We use the Kapow Primary French scheme to ensure a carefully sequenced progression of vocabulary, grammar and language structures across KS2 so that pupils are well prepared for language learning at Key Stage 3.

Curriculum Impact

French is taught weekly using the Kapow scheme by a specialist French teacher every Friday. This ensures pupils benefit from:

Accurate pronunciation and expert modelling of spoken language
Specialist subject knowledge
Consistent routines for speaking and listening practice
High-quality exposure to authentic language

Kapow units are carefully structured to ensure that learning builds over time. Lessons include:

Revisiting and practising previously taught vocabulary and structures
Explicit teaching of new vocabulary and grammar
Frequent opportunities for oral rehearsal, repetition and dialogue
Songs, games, role play and speaking activities to develop confidence
Reading and writing tasks which build from secure spoken understanding
Explicit links between phonics, vocabulary and sentence construction
Cultural learning linked to French traditions and daily life
Vocabulary and grammatical structures are revisited regularly to support long-term retention.

Inclusion and SEND

We ensure French is accessible to all pupils through:

Visual prompts, gestures and repetition to support understanding
Chunked instructions and scaffolded sentence stems
Partner talk and oral rehearsal before writing
Use of songs, rhythm and repetition to support memory
Flexible outcomes allowing pupils to demonstrate learning in different ways
A supportive environment where speaking aloud is encouraged without fear of error

This approach ensures that all pupils, including those with SEND, can participate successfully and gain confidence in language learning.

Curriculum Implementation

Assessment in French is ongoing and formative, and directly linked to the Kapow curriculum. It focuses on pupils’ ability to remember and use vocabulary and grammatical structures over time.

Teachers assess pupils through:

Observation of speaking and listening during lessons
Responses to questioning and dialogue work
Reading and writing activities
Pupils’ ability to recall and apply previously taught vocabulary and grammar

Kapow assessment materials are used to support teacher judgement at the end of units. Assessment information is recorded on Bromcom, enabling teachers, leaders and parents to have a clear understanding of each child’s progress in French.

How we know the curriculum is taught as intended;

Leaders monitor the implementation of the French curriculum through:

Review of Kapow unit coverage across KS2
Lesson visits and discussions with pupils
Monitoring of assessment information recorded on Bromcom
Pupil voice to evaluate what pupils can remember and say over time
Discussions with the specialist French teacher to ensure progression and consistency

This ensures that the taught curriculum matches the planned curriculum.

The impact of our French curriculum

As a result of our French provision, pupils: