French at St Mary’s Hampton
At St Mary’s Hampton, we believe that learning a modern foreign language is an essential part of a rich and balanced curriculum. Learning French helps pupils to develop communication skills, cultural awareness and curiosity about the wider world, while also strengthening listening, memory and problem-solving skills.
Our French curriculum is based on the Twinkl French Scheme of Work and is designed to meet the requirements of the National Curriculum. It provides a clear, progressive structure from Key Stage 1 through to Key Stage 2, ensuring that knowledge and skills are built upon year by year. Pupils regularly revisit and practise prior learning so that vocabulary and language structures become embedded over time.
How French Is Taught
At St Mary’s Hampton, French is taught through a carefully sequenced and engaging curriculum using the Twinkl scheme. Lessons follow a spiral approach, allowing pupils to return to key vocabulary and grammatical structures while gradually increasing complexity and confidence.
Lessons provide opportunities for pupils to:
- Listen attentively and respond to spoken French
- Develop accurate pronunciation and intonation
- Speak in sentences using familiar vocabulary and structures
- Read and write words, phrases and simple sentences
- Learn about French culture and make links to their own experiences
Teaching places a strong emphasis on oracy, with songs, games, stories and interactive activities used to support engagement and enjoyment. Grammar is introduced in a clear, age-appropriate and contextualised way, helping pupils understand how language works without overwhelming them.
In Key Stage 1, pupils are introduced to French through simple words, phrases and songs that develop confidence and enjoyment. In Key Stage 2, pupils build on these foundations by expanding their vocabulary, developing sentence structures and beginning to write in French with increasing independence.
French lessons encourage participation, repetition and retrieval, helping pupils to retain learning and apply it confidently in different contexts. The curriculum is inclusive and designed to support all learners, including pupils with SEND.
How French Is Assessed
Assessment in French at St Mary’s Hampton is ongoing and formative. It focuses on pupils’ progress in language acquisition rather than comparison with others.
Teachers assess learning through:
- Observation of pupils’ participation and confidence in speaking and listening activities
- Questioning and discussion to check understanding
- Review of written work and responses over time
- Pupils’ ability to recall and apply vocabulary and sentence structures
Progress is measured by how well pupils develop their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, as well as their confidence and willingness to communicate in French. This approach ensures that assessment supports learning and celebrates progress at every stage.
Across the school, French lessons at St Mary’s Hampton are designed to be enjoyable, purposeful and ambitious, helping all pupils to develop a positive attitude towards language learning and preparing them well for future study.