The Modern Foreign Languages Department at The King's Academy is a strong and established team with a proven track record of excellent exam results at both KS4 and KS5. The department is housed in 5 well equipped classrooms within the Modern Languages suite which provide a stimulating and positive environment for our students. Each classroom is equipped with a computer (with Internet access for the teacher), a digital projector and a screen. On the Intranet there are extensive staff and student shared areas and digital audio and video libraries. Listening exercises in class are conducted using the Soundfield system for maximum effectiveness. Classrooms are also equipped with a Coomber CD/cassette player which can be used with headphones for individual student study. We have access to numerous computer suites, two of which are adjacent to the language rooms.

There are currently six permanent members of the MFL department. All members of the department are able to teach two languages and this expertise is offered in French, German and Spanish.

• Mrs N Hardy (HOD) - French KS3-5, Spanish KS3
• Mrs C Gaunt (HOY) - French KS3-5, Spanish KS3-4
• Ms S Gray (AVP, Head of Sixth Form) - French KS3-5, German KS3
• Mrs J Leverton (AST) - Spanish KS3-5, French KS3-4
• Mrs H Tatham - French KS3-5, German KS3
• Mrs B Bethge - German KS3-5, French KS3

Aims of the department:

• To enable students to communicate effectively and to their full potential using the target language.
• To give students an insight into and appreciation of the culture of the countries whose language they are studying and to have a better understanding and tolerance of people.
• To equip our students with the skills they need to access opportunities in the world of travel and work in a modern, technological society.
• To enjoy language learning.

The Key Stage 3 Curriculum:

French is the main language taught in KS3. Students are set at the beginning of Year 7 and have between one and three lessons a week depending on the set and the students' literacy support commitments.

The top two sets pick up a second language in Year 8 and continue with this until the end of Year 9. Currently, the top French set in Year 8 has two German lessons a week and the second set has two Spanish lessons a week in addition to their French lessons.

The KS3 French scheme of work is based around the new Studio course, the KS3 Spanish scheme of work from Year 8, is based on Mira and the German KS3 course is based on Klasse. As well as the additional ICT based resources around these texts, notably Active Teach for Studio, extra departmental resources are used to enhance teaching and the new year 7 and 8 French SOW especially is designed to fit in with the new MFL framework and programmes of study.

Year 9 Paris trip

44 Year 9 students are offered the possibility of a 4 day residential visit to Paris in July. This trip is always oversubscribed and a great success.

The Key Stage 4 Curriculum

At the end of Year 9, the top 80-100 students are placed in the Route 1 option block and are required to take a language at GCSE. Those who have previously learned two languages can study either of the languages or both. We currently follow the Edexcel GCSE course. Students have 3 lessons per week.

The Edexcel GCSE in French/German/Spanish consists of four units based on the following skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing. The GCSE combines controlled assessment of speaking and writing skills with Foundation or Higher tier external assessments for the listening and reading skills.

Year 10 and 11 Berlin trip

Every two years there is a 4 day residential trip to Berlin offered to KS4 students.

The Key Stage 5 Curriculum

All three languages are offered at A level and we currently follow the AQA specifications. Students have 6 lessons per week.