In the Languages department, our goal is to cultivate a passion for learning new languages and to foster a genuine interest in the countries where these languages are spoken. For classical languages, we aim to instil an appreciation of their relevance in today’s world.
Our lessons are designed to be varied, inclusive, and entertaining. We encourage pupils to collaborate and share their ideas, becoming active and inquisitive learners who take responsibility for their own learning. Creativity is often incorporated into our lesson plans alongside a focus on achieving high academic standards.
We are transitioning to the teaching of Spanish from French. Spanish has always been the language taught from Year 6 upwards, and from September 2025 it will be taught in Reception, Year 3, and from Year 5 upwards, with the whole school learning Spanish from September 2027. Bilingual French and Spanish speakers are offered the opportunity to take an early GCSE in Years 7 and 8, and additional classes may be available to support bilingual children. All languages are taught by specialist teachers. Latin is introduced in Year 5, offering pupils a glimpse into the classical world. Greek is offered on a selective basis to pupils in Years 7 and 8.
While all languages require rigorous vocabulary and grammatical study, our curriculum also emphasises the cultural and historical contexts of these languages. This approach helps anchor the pupils’ learning, providing a broader understanding and purpose. By exploring foreign cultures and histories, pupils gain a more comprehensive perspective, making their language studies more meaningful and engaging.
Ultimately, our aim is to develop not only proficient language learners but also culturally aware individuals who appreciate the richness and diversity of the world. As they progress through their studies, we hope our pupils will carry forward their passion for languages and the cultural insights they have gained, applying them in their future academic pursuits and personal lives.
