French

Welcome to St Peter's French Curriculum page

At St. Peter’s, we believe it’s important for children to make good progress in learning a new language. We’ve chosen French as the language we teach across the school because it is widely spoken around the world and opens doors to many cultures. Learning French also helps children develop communication skills, confidence, and an appreciation for different ways of life. In Key Stage 1, children get a gentle introduction to different languages through fun and informal activities. From Key Stage 2 onwards, they begin regular French lessons, which follow the Kapow scheme of work to make learning engaging and enjoyable.

Learning a foreign language helps children see beyond their own world and discover new cultures. A high-quality language education sparks curiosity and helps pupils develop a deeper understanding of the wider world. By learning a language, children also build a foundation for picking up other languages in the future, giving them skills that could be useful for studying or working in other countries (National Curriculum, 2013).

The intention of the French curriculum at St Peter's is that children develop an interest and enthusiasm in learning another language. We strive to embed the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing through a progressive French curriculum, so that children can use and apply their learning in a variety of contexts.

What is French like at St. Peter's?

At St Peter’s, our French curriculum aims to spark children’s interest and enthusiasm for learning another language. We focus on developing listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, helping children use French confidently in a variety of situations.

We have created a tailored Modern Foreign Language curriculum that meets the requirements of the national programme while catering to the unique needs of our pupils. Children build vocabulary and language skills through regular lessons, and French is also woven into daily activities to help reinforce learning.

In Key Stage 2, we follow the Kapow scheme of work. Lessons start with a quick review of previous learning, followed by fun activities to introduce new vocabulary. Children practise speaking and writing through games, partner work, and independent tasks. As they gain confidence, they progress from writing simple captions and sentences to longer pieces by Years 5 and 6.

French in our school

Autumn 2025/26

Year 6 had an exciting day at St Margaret Ward, exploring French with specialist teachers! They practised speaking through fun back-and-forth conversations, refreshed their previous learning, and enjoyed playing interactive French games. It was also a fantastic opportunity for them to see what learning French is like in high school, giving a glimpse of the next stage in their language journey!