“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability”

Acts 2:4

At St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, we believe that learning another language helps children to grow as confident, curious, and compassionate global citizens. As a Catholic community, we celebrate the diversity of God’s world and view languages as a gift that connects us to others.

French is our chosen focus language, reflecting our close proximity to France and the opportunities it provides for our pupils as they move into secondary school. We follow the Grammarsaurus French Framework from Years 3 to 6, which offers a structured and progressive approach to language learning, phonics, grammar, and cultural understanding.

Our vision is to make French fun, meaningful, and memorable through songs, stories, games, cultural days, and pen pal experiences.

At St Mary’s, the teaching of French aims to:

• Inspire curiosity and enthusiasm for learning another language.

• Provide opportunities to listen, speak, read, and write in French with growing confidence.

• Build secure foundations for future language learning at Key Stage 3 and beyond.

• Celebrate and respect the diversity of languages and cultures, recognising them as gifts from God.

• Encourage pupils to value and understand the perspectives of others as part of their global citizenship.

We deliver French through the Grammarsaurus French Scheme of Work, which ensures clear progression and coverage across Years 3–6.

• Introduces core vocabulary, phonics, grammar, and sentence-building in a logical and engaging sequence.

• Incorporates cultural elements of French-speaking countries through stories, songs, festivals, and traditions.

• Focuses on speaking and listening in lower Key Stage 2, with greater emphasis on reading and writing in upper Key Stage 2.

• Uses modelling, repetition, and retrieval practice to strengthen long-term learning.

• Encourages collaboration and communication through games, pair work, and group activities.

• Ensures inclusion and differentiation through visual aids, scaffolds, and pronunciation support.

• Challenges higher attainers with extended writing and creative tasks.

• Assesses learning formatively through questioning, short tasks, and end-of-unit activities.

• Tracks progress against the Grammarsaurus progression framework for consistency and clarity.

By the end of Key Stage 2, pupils at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School will:

• Show curiosity and enjoyment in learning French.

• Recall and use key vocabulary and grammar with increasing confidence.

• Demonstrate progress across speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

• Construct simple sentences and short passages both orally and in writing.

• Show respect for cultural diversity and recognise language as a God-given gift that unites people across the world.

• Be well prepared and motivated for the transition to French at Key Stage 3.

• Benefit from regular monitoring of lessons, pupil voice, and book looks to ensure consistent quality and progression.

Through our French curriculum, we aim to give every child the joy of communicating in another language and an appreciation of the diverse world around them. By celebrating languages as a gift from God, we help our pupils develop confidence, curiosity, and compassion, skills that will stay with them for life.