French

Curriculum intent

French is more than the study of words; French is the study of communication, culture and connection. Studying French at Heath Lane Academy will prepare students to be global citizens, to be open to challenges and opportunities in a variety of contexts and to approach their future with an improved understanding of the complexities of the human experience.

Entitlement

All pupils in England have the right to learn the basics of another European Language and to explore the culture(s) where that language is spoken.

Coherence

Our curriculum for French is carefully sequenced so that knowledge of vocabulary and grammar builds term by term and year by year. Linguistic competency deepens and expands at every step.

Mastery

We ensure that linguistic knowledge and its application in context are secure before moving on. Pupils revisit prior learning and apply it in an increasingly sophisticated manner.

Adaptability

The core linguistic competencies and essential vocabulary are the same in all contexts, but teachers adapt lessons and tailor specific content to meet the needs of their pupils.

Representation

Our curriculum presents French as a global language, spoken by a diversity of people.

Education with character

Studying French provides pupils with an opportunity to learn about other peoples, cultures and beliefs and compare them with their own.

KS3 French roadmap

KS3 Curriculum

The Key Stage 3 curriculum sets the foundation for Key Stage 4. Particular attention is paid to the three time frames with variation in the tenses (grammar) and every year we cover more sophisticated ways of expressing ourselves on a wide range of issues, expressing and justifying opinions with broader and deeper vocabulary knowledge. The units covered in our Year 9 curriculum act as a bridge between Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4. For pupils not continuing with a language into GCSE, our Key Stage 3 curriculum provides them with a basic but thorough understanding of the language. It also gives them an overview of the culture(s) and people speaking that language globally.

KS4 Curriculum

At Heath Lane Academy, we are in the process of changing exam boards for the new MFL GCSE (exams from 2026 onwards). Current Year 11 students are working towards the AQA specification, whereas Year 10 are working towards the Pearson Edexcel GCSE.

Year 11: This year, students are finishing Theme 2 Topic 4 (Travel and Tourism) before moving onto Theme 3 (Life at School, Education Post-16, Future plans). From February half term onwards, lessons are focussed on honing exam skills, completing past papers and preparing for the summer exams.

Year 10: Students are starting with a unit on Lifestyle, media and technology before moving onto ‘My personal world’ and ‘Lifestyle and wellbeing’, where they will work on mastering receptive and productive skills whilst covering content ranging from expressing personal views about marriage, to building awareness of the components of a healthy diet. End of year exams will test students’ understanding and recall of all topics studied this year.

Careers linking to the subject

Learning a new language can significantly improve career prospects by opening doors to global opportunities and improving communication skills. In an increasingly interconnected world, multilingual employees are highly valued for their ability to bridge cultural gaps, collaborate with international teams, and expand business reach in foreign markets. Language proficiency can lead to better job prospects, promotions, and higher salaries, especially in industries like translation, diplomacy, tourism, and international business. Additionally, being bilingual or multilingual demonstrates a proficiency in problem-solving, resilience, and a commitment to personal growth, qualities that are highly sought after by employers in diverse fields.

Useful websites/links

www.senencalearning.com

www.duolingo.com

GCSE French - BBC Bitesize

www.memrise.com

www.quizlet.com