Foreign Languages

At Coleshill, children learn French through a vibrant, inclusive and carefully sequenced curriculum that nurtures curiosity, confidence and cultural understanding. Beginning with early celebrations of language diversity and progressing to structured lessons in Key Stage 2, pupils enjoy learning through songs, stories, conversation and rich cultural experiences. Our approach builds strong foundations in speaking, listening, reading and writing, while promoting respect for other cultures and a sense of global citizenship. Rooted in our Christian vision and aligned with our whole‑school teaching principles, our French curriculum is designed to be engaging, accessible and ambitious for every child, ensuring they are well prepared for further language learning in secondary school.

Vibrant

Our French curriculum is vibrant because it fosters curiosity, enthusiasm and a genuine enjoyment of learning a new language. Using the Rachel Hawkes scheme, pupils build confidence as they learn new sounds, vocabulary and structures in a clear and motivating way that helps them experience success. Cultural exploration is woven through the curriculum, giving children meaningful insights into French traditions and daily life, and encouraging them to view the world with interest and openness. This purposeful, engaging approach ensures pupils feel inspired by language learning and develop a positive, energetic attitude towards discovering new cultures.

Rooted

Our French curriculum is rooted in the strong foundations of our Christian vision, our commitment to high expectations and our belief that every child is valued, known and capable of success. Learning is built step‑by‑step through a clear, structured scheme that ensures pupils develop secure knowledge of key sounds, vocabulary and grammar over time. This approach provides stability, routine and coherence so that children feel safe, confident and ready to learn. Cultural understanding is an integral part of the curriculum, helping pupils to appreciate the diversity of God’s world while deepening their sense of identity and belonging. By grounding language learning in consistent practice, meaningful purpose and a respect for all cultures, our French provision prepares pupils to grow into responsible, compassionate and globally‑minded citizens.

Connected

Our French curriculum is connected through a clear and coherent progression that enables pupils in Key Stage 2 to build knowledge step‑by‑step using the Rachel Hawkes scheme. The curriculum links key sounds, vocabulary and grammatical structures in a systematic way, helping children make meaningful connections between spoken and written language and understand how new learning builds on what they already know. Cultural knowledge is also threaded throughout, allowing pupils to connect the French language with real‑world contexts and a wider understanding of global diversity. This joined‑up approach ensures learning is purposeful, sequenced and cumulative, preparing pupils with the secure foundations they need for future language study.

Inclusive

Our French curriculum is inclusive because it is designed to ensure that every child in Key Stage 2 can participate confidently and make strong progress, regardless of starting point or learning need. Teaching follows the clear structure of the Rachel Hawkes scheme, providing consistent modelling, scaffolded tasks and well‑paced progression to support learners who may find language acquisition more challenging. Teachers use assessment to identify pupils who need additional guidance, as well as those working at greater depth, ensuring learning is adapted to meet individual needs. By valuing and celebrating cultural diversity and ensuring that all children feel capable, secure and supported, our French curriculum reflects our commitment to belonging, equity and high expectations for every learner.

Inclusion in French