French at Brightwalton C of E Primary School

Our Vision

At Brightwalton, learning French broadens children’s horizons and helps them to understand and respect the wider world. Through language learning, pupils develop confidence, curiosity and resilience as communicators. We want our children to enjoy learning a new language, appreciate other cultures and recognise the value of being able to communicate with others.

French supports our Christian vision and the golden thread of Shining Our Light by encouraging pupils to step beyond their comfort zone, celebrate diversity and find their voice as global citizens.

Intent: What We Want for Our Children

Our French curriculum ensures that all pupils:

• Develop enjoyment, confidence and enthusiasm for language learning
• Build secure foundations in listening, speaking, reading and writing in French
• Learn key vocabulary and structures that enable them to communicate meaningfully
• Develop curiosity and respect for other languages and cultures

Learning is carefully sequenced so that pupils build on prior knowledge over time, enabling them to know more, remember more and use language with increasing independence. Pupils revisit vocabulary and structures regularly, supporting long‑term retention and confidence.

Our curriculum is ambitious, inclusive and accessible to all pupils, including those with SEND and those who are disadvantaged. Early introduction to French ensures that all children are well prepared for further language learning as they move through the school and on to secondary education.

Implementation: How We Teach French

French is taught from EYFS through to Year 6, ensuring a coherent and progressive language journey.

We follow the Primary Languages Network (PLN) scheme of work across the school, which provides a well‑sequenced and progressive curriculum linked to the National Curriculum.

EYFS and Key Stage 1

In EYFS and KS1, French is introduced through short 15–20 minute lessons. Learning focuses on:

• Simple songs, rhymes and familiar stories
• Repetition of key words and phrases
• Listening and speaking activities that build confidence and enjoyment

These sessions develop early listening skills, pronunciation and vocabulary, providing a strong foundation for future language learning while supporting children’s communication and oracy development.

Key Stage 2

In KS2, French is taught for 30 minutes per week. Due to our mixed‑age classes, the curriculum follows a two‑year rolling cycle (Year A and Year B), enabling pupils to complete Stages 1–4 of the PLN programme by the end of Year 6.

Teaching is carefully planned to ensure progression in:

• Vocabulary
• Phonics and pronunciation
• Grammar and sentence structure
• Listening, speaking, reading and writing

Grammar is introduced progressively from Year 3 so that pupils learn how language works and begin to manipulate it with increasing independence.

What Learning Looks Like

French lessons are engaging, active and inclusive. They include:

• Songs, games, stories and role‑play
• Repetition and retrieval of prior learning
• Speaking and listening opportunities for all pupils
• Explicit teaching of vocabulary and pronunciation
• Supported reading and writing activities in KS2

Pupils are encouraged to have a go, developing resilience and confidence, and are supported to understand that making mistakes is a natural and valuable part of language learning.

Supporting All Learners

All pupils access the same ambitious French curriculum. Teachers support this through:

• Clear modelling and repetition
• Breaking learning into small, manageable steps
• Reinforcing key vocabulary
• Use of visuals, actions and spoken rehearsal
• Ongoing assessment to identify and address misconceptions

This approach enables pupils to move from supported participation to increasing independence and confidence.

Progression: How Learning Builds Over Time

EYFS

• Listen to and enjoy songs and stories
• Join in with repeated words and phrases
• Begin to develop awareness of another language

Key Stage 1

• Learn and recall simple vocabulary
• Respond to spoken French through actions and repetition
• Develop confidence and enjoyment in language learning

Lower Key Stage 2

• Use familiar words and phrases in speaking and listening
• Begin reading and writing simple words and sentences
• Develop understanding of basic grammar

Upper Key Stage 2

• Speak with confidence using a range of vocabulary and structures
• Read and write short texts
• Adapt language to create their own spoken and written outcomes

Impact: What Pupils Achieve

By the end of Year 6, pupils will:

• Communicate confidently using familiar spoken and written French
• Listen, speak, read and write with increasing accuracy and independence
• Use appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures
• Show curiosity and respect for other languages and cultures

Impact is monitored through ongoing assessment for learning, pupil self‑assessment and, in KS2, PLN assessments across listening, speaking, reading and writing. 

We aim for pupils to leave Brightwalton as confident, enthusiastic and resilient language learners, well prepared for further language study and ready to shine their light in a wider world.