Modern Foreign Languages

Staffing
The Department is made up of a team of seven MFL teachers. The ethos of the department reflects that of the school, in creating a caring learning environment. The MFL team is committed to widening student’s horizons by sharing their enthusiasm for foreign languages, countries and cultures within the context of high expectations and standards.

Languages currently offered are French, German and Spanish.

Implementation of the Departmental curriculum:

*A taster session of 1 period of 40 minutes per language per week.

Time allocation
Years 7, 8,& 9 receive 3 periods of 40 minutes for French, one period of 40 minutes for German and one for Spanish per week
Years 10 & 11 receive 4 periods of 40 minutes per week per language.
Year 12 receives 6 periods of 40 minutes per week per language.
Year 13 receives 7 periods of 40 minutes per week per language.

Language teaching in sets
In Year 7, pupils are taught German and Spanish in their tutor groups. Care is taken to ensure that pupils from across the ability range constitute a tutor group. The progress of all Year 7 pupils of German and Spanish is discussed by the department towards the end of the year, as a prelude to setting in Year 8. French is currently taught in 3 sets, based on the results of the entrance examination into year 7, set 3 is reserved for absolute beginners. The progress of all Year 7 pupils of French is discussed at the end of the autumn term and summer term.

In Years 8 and 9, pupils are set in French, German and Spanish. The progress of all Year 8 and 9 pupils is discussed at length by the department at the end of the autumn term and summer term to facilitate appropriate setting in Year 9 and 10.
In Years 10 and 11, pupils are set in French, Spanish and German (depending on pupil numbers and option blocks).

Links with other departments and involvement in cross-curricular themes/events.
The department hosts open evenings with Café Europe, providing a selection of refreshments from countries in Europe with menus displayed in different languages. The pupils helping in the café talk to the parents and visitors in their second language.

Links with other educational institutions
The department has established links Notre Dame de Sion in St. Omer France, Granada in Spain and Waldkirch in Germany.

Trips and visits
Year 7 - annual day trip to Boulogne.
Years 9 - annual French exchange
Years 11 - annual German exchange
Years 10 - annual Spanish Exchange
Year 12/13 annual Truffaut study day
Year 12/13 study visit to Paris, and student conference ‘Your Future in Europe' every 2 years.

Extra-curricular activities:
Year 10/11 pupils are offered revision sessions on designated lunchtimes 12.40-1.10. Students who have achieved a borderline C or below in the mock examinations must attend these sessions. The MFL Assistants are also available for extra oral practice.
Year 10/11 pupils on the ‘Gifted and Talented' programme are offered extension sessions on designated lunchtimes. The MFL Assistants are also available for extra oral practice.
Year 12/3 students are offered additional support on a more informal basis, either in corresponding free periods or lunch-time, depending on examinations.
Year 7 have a MFL Christmas party.
Enrichment week activities for Years 7 -9.
Years 10 - 13 are offered the opportunity to attend special Examination revision days.

 Exam Results and Statistics
2011
French
27 pupils took French GCSE. The A-C pass rate was 100%, with 40.7% gaining A/A*
4 pupils took A-Level. The pass rate was 100% with 50% gaining A/B grades. The average point score was 7.5.
German
14 pupils took German GCSE. The A-C pass rate was 85.7%, with 14.3% gaining A/A*
Spanish
13 pupils took Spanish GCSE. The A-C pass rate was 100% with 69.2% gaining A/A*

2010
French
30 pupils took French GCSE. The A-C pass rate was 97.2%, with 58.3% gaining A/A*
8 pupils took A-Level. The pass rate was 100% with 87.5% gaining A/B grades. The average point score was 8.75.
German
21pupils took German GCSE. The A-C pass rate was 85.7%, with 58.3% gaining A/A*
Spanish
8 pupils took Spanish GCSE. The A-C pass rate was 100% with 87.5% gaining A/A*


Staff
Mme A. Coe BA PGCE (Head of Department)
Miss E. Garcia Urena BA QTS
Mrs. S. Heywood BA PGCE
Mrs. L. Hodgson MA Ba PGCE
Miss. K. McPherson BA PGCE
Mrs J. Rolfe BEd


Language Assistants
Mrs. D. Smith
Mme. I. Tarbet MSc

French Language Pages - click here
German Language Pages - click here
Spanish Language Pages - click here

To see photos and information on Spanish Exchange to Granada 2012 Click here
To see photos and information on Spanish Exchange to Worthing April 2012 - Click here
To see photos of Year 7 Boulogne Day Trip Sept 2011 Click Here
To see photos of French Exchange visit to St Omer 2011 - Click Here
To see photos of German Exchange trip to Waldkirch 2011 - Click Here

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