Curriculum >

Modern Languages

French is the major foreign language taught at Kingsmead. The subject is introduced in a relevant, lively and interactive way in the Junior department before pupils begin a more formal learning programme in Year 7.

The department offers the AQA linear specification, presently taking the coursework option. Students of all abilities are welcome to opt for the subject in Year 10 and 11, and the department celebrates equally the success of all students who achieve their potential at GCSE.

Students are offered the opportunity to work towards an A* grade, or to a C, according to ability, and exam entries are tailor-made to the individual strengths of each pupil.

Opportunities to travel to France and Belgium are frequently available to pupils, through a programme of school visits and holidays.  Other breaks and holidays, further afield, for families, parents, grandparents and friends are arranged by Kingsmead’s independent Centenary Leisure and Travel Club.

The department currently also offers clubs in Spanish, Russian and Japanese, and has seen exam success at GCSE level in German, Spanish and Cantonese.

GCSE curriculum

French at Kingsmead has a fine reputation with a team of language specialists in both the senior and junior departments, offering the language qualifications essential in this age of communication. Linguistic skills and patterns of conversation are taught and developed over the years leading to GCSE.

Students of all abilities are accepted and welcomed. The department provides differentiated learning to enable every student to enjoy success, and that success is the basis for linguistic confidence, leading ultimately to GCSE achievement.

Kingsmead has invested in the very latest course books and materials written especially for the current AQA exams. Coursework replaces the examination writing component. Students select their best three written assignments of 100-170 words from those produced during both years of the course, for submission to AQA in the spring of Year 11.

We prepare our students to take their language skills beyond Kingsmead and into the international workplace of the 21st century.

It is planned that Spanish will very soon join the range of subjects on offer.