At Oakridge School, we recognise the importance of teaching a modern foreign language to foster pupils’ curiosity, deepen their understanding of the world and help them appreciate and celebrate other cultures. Through learning French, children develop the foundations for future language learning and are encouraged to become open-minded, respectful and confident communicators.

At Oakridge, we follow the Kapow Primary French scheme of work, which is designed to inspire pupils to become curious, enthusiastic and confident language learners. The curriculum supports pupils to develop key skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing, enabling them to begin to think and communicate like linguists. It also supports pupils in meeting the National Curriculum end of Key Stage 2 attainment targets.

Our French curriculum is carefully sequenced across Key Stage 2. The Kapow scheme is built around three key knowledge strands: phonics, vocabulary and grammar. Pupils then apply this knowledge through the skills of language comprehension, including listening and reading, and language production, including speaking and writing. Cultural awareness is also woven through the curriculum so that children learn about French-speaking communities and make meaningful links between language, culture and the wider world.

Our curriculum follows a spiral approach, where key vocabulary, grammar and language skills are revisited over time with increasing complexity. In Year 3, pupils begin by developing confidence with oral language, greetings, numbers, colours, classroom language and simple phrases. As they move through Key Stage 2, they build towards more complex spoken and written French, including describing people, discussing food, shopping, family, sport, homes and daily routines.

By the time pupils leave Oakridge, we want them to have developed a love of language learning, confidence in communicating in French and an appreciation of other cultures. We want our pupils to understand that learning a language helps connect people, communities and countries, opening doors to future study, travel and work opportunities.