Subject leader - Mrs A. French

At Kempshott Junior School, our French curriculum is ambitious, coherent and inclusive, enabling all pupils to develop as confident and curious language learners. We aim for all children to develop secure knowledge of vocabulary, phonics and grammar, alongside the skills to communicate effectively and respond thoughtfully in a new language, preparing them for the next stage of their education and life in an increasingly global society.

Our curriculum is underpinned by the Kapow scheme of work, which we have carefully adapted and sequenced to reflect our curriculum intent and the needs of our pupils. This provides a coherent and progressive approach in which pupils build knowledge and understanding over time across the key areas of speaking, listening, reading and writing. Through a well-sequenced structure, pupils revisit and apply vocabulary, phonics and grammatical structures, enabling them to secure understanding, make connections and retain knowledge over time.

French is taught as a distinct subject, where pupils develop both substantive knowledge and disciplinary understanding. Substantive knowledge includes vocabulary, phonics, grammatical structures and language conventions. Disciplinary understanding focuses on how pupils apply this knowledge to communicate meaningfully, including listening for key information, speaking with increasing accuracy, reading with understanding and writing simple sentences with growing independence. Through carefully sequenced units, pupils develop increasing confidence, accuracy and fluency in their use of the language.

Language acquisition is supported through regular practice, repetition and retrieval, ensuring that key vocabulary and structures are embedded and can be applied in different contexts. Pupils are encouraged to make links between new and prior learning, recognise patterns in language and use strategies to support understanding and recall. This cumulative approach enables pupils to build confidence and independence as language learners.

Reading, writing and spoken language are central to our French curriculum. Pupils develop their ability to pronounce words accurately, understand spoken language, read with increasing fluency and communicate ideas clearly. Opportunities for structured talk, repetition and written practice support pupils in applying their knowledge and developing their confidence in using the language.

Our curriculum reflects a ‘windows and mirrors’ approach. Pupils encounter language and cultural contexts that reflect both their own experiences and those of others, developing an appreciation of different cultures, traditions and ways of life. This supports pupils in broadening their understanding of the world and their place within it.

We are committed to ensuring that all pupils can access the full French curriculum. Through adaptive teaching, including modelling, scaffolding and structured support, barriers are removed without lowering ambition. This ensures that all pupils can engage meaningfully in language learning and experience success.

Through our French curriculum, pupils develop secure knowledge, growing confidence and the ability to communicate in another language. They are supported to apply their learning with increasing independence, respond to new situations and develop a positive attitude towards language learning, preparing them for further study and participation in a diverse and interconnected world.

 

                              

       French  Overview                   Progression overview