Bienvenue! At High Ash, children begin learning French in Key Stage 2 (Years 3–6) through the interactive Kapow Primary scheme of work. Our spiral curriculum ensures key language concepts are systematically revisited with increasing depth, bringing French to life through songs, rhymes, role play, games, and native-speaker "Mouth mechanics" videos.

Our French curriculum aims to instil a lifelong love of language learning and a deep appreciation of other cultures. We build pupil confidence to communicate in French for real-life, practical purposes across both spoken and written forms. The curriculum is carefully structured to provide a strong foundation for future language learning, while deepening pupils' understanding of English grammar and opening up global study and career opportunities later in life.

Learning is built upon three core knowledge pillars—phonics, vocabulary, and grammar—which pupils apply across four key communication skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

• Phonics: Pronunciation and sound-spelling links are explicitly taught using native-speaker models.

• Vocabulary: High-frequency words and core verbs are systematically taught and revisited in varied contexts to secure them in long-term memory.

• Grammar: Essential language structures are introduced step-by-step so children can manipulate words and build independent sentences.

• Oracy & Language Detective Skills: In Years 3 and 4, the focus is primarily oral, with written French introduced progressively. Pupils actively develop oracy skills through exploratory talk and learn to act as "language detectives"—using cognates, context clues, and syntax rules to decode unfamiliar language independently.

All lessons are adaptively planned to meet the needs of every learner, ensuring full accessibility and appropriate challenge.

By the end of Key Stage 2, High Ash pupils will be able to:

• Engage in purposeful dialogues for real-life situations (e.g. ordering food, asking directions, planning a holiday).

• Speak, read, and write simple texts with confidence, expression, and accurate pronunciation.

• Apply strategic reading and listening tools—such as recognising cognates and analysing grammar—to decode unknown French text and speech.

• Express themselves using structured sentence patterns and high-frequency vocabulary.

• Transfer their language-learning strategies, curiosity, and cultural literacy to future studies.

Through this rich approach, we ensure pupils meet National Curriculum expectations and leave High Ash as confident, curious language learners equipped for the wider world.