French

Intent

At Hockerill, the French curriculum is designed to inspire a love of languages and an appreciation of Francophone culture. We want our students to become confident communicators who can understand and express themselves effectively in French, both in speech and writing.

Beyond developing linguistic competence, our curriculum encourages students to reflect on identity, relationships, culture, and global issues, helping them to become open-minded, empathetic and internationally minded citizens. 

Implementation

Our curriculum is ambitious, broad, and carefully sequenced from Year 7 to Year 13: 

• Years 7-9 (KS3-MYP): Students develop foundational vocabulary, grammar, and confidence through inquiry-based thematic units. They explore questions such as What is my identity?, What is school for?, Why do we do sport?, What defines my relationships?, and What are our responsibilities? Alongside acquiring core language skills, students investigate cultural aspects of life in French-speaking countries, making meaningful comparisons with their own experiences. 
• Years 10-11 (KS4- GCSE): Students consolidate their skills and extend their mastery of French through AQA GCSE themes such as My Life at School and the Working World, The Environment, Holidays, Identity and Culture, and Our Planet. They work with increasingly complex grammar and vocabulary, learning to express themselves across different time frames and for a variety of purposes. Regular practice in listening, speaking, reading, and writing is supported by exam preparation, including mocks, role plays, and feedback, ensuring students are confident and well-prepared for their final assessments. 
• Years 12-13 (KS5/IBDP): At IB level, students broaden their linguistic and cultural horizons by studying global themes such as Identities, Experiences, Human Ingenuity, Social Organisation, and Sharing the Planet. Higher Level students also explore Francophone literature. Students engage critically with real-world issues such as migration, health and wellbeing, human creativity, education, environmental challenges, and globalisation. They undertake independent research, oral presentations, and extended writing, building advanced skills in analysis, argument, and intercultural understanding. 

Throughout all key stages, we embed regular opportunities for creative expression, critical discussion, and authentic communication. Students also develop resilience and adaptability through translation, problem-solving with grammar, and spontaneous speaking practice. 

Impact

Our French curriculum ensures that students: 

• Acquire the skills and confidence to communicate effectively in French across a range of contexts. 
• Develop cultural awareness, empathy, and respect for diversity through engagement with Francophone societies and global issues. 
• Make excellent academic progress, achieving strong results at GCSE and IB, and are well-prepared for further study and employment. 
• Cultivate transferable skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, resilience, and creativity, which benefit them beyond the language classroom. 
• Leave Hockerill as linguistically capable, culturally curious, and globally aware young people, equipped to thrive in a multilingual world.