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Modern Foreign Languages

The Modern Foreign Languages Faculty at The Ridgeway School is committed to providing a quality language experience for all pupils, whilst exposing them to the culture of the country and having fun.

The Modern Foreign Languages Faculty currently offers both French and German in the curriculum and Spanish and Italian as enrichment activities.

Pupils have the opportunity to learn meaningful language and to use the transferable language skills they may have acquired through exposure to a foreign language in primary schools. Pupils are encouraged to develop independent thinking skills and to examine the workings of the language.

The language learned in the curriculum is fully enhanced by several trips abroad. Pupils in Years 7 and 8 have the opportunity to visit the Christmas Markets in Germany where they can experience at first hand the culture of the country and can try out any language they may learn in school. Pupils in Years 8 and 9 can enjoy a cultural visit to France, staying in Normandy and Paris. Again there are plenty of opportunities to experiment with the language. In Key Stage 4, pupils are offered the chance to participate in an exchange programme with schools in Bordeaux in France and Tübingen in Germany. These have always been highly successful trips and some students go back year after year.

Pupils in Year 7 will all study one language on entry to The Ridgeway School, alternating between French and German. More able students will study both languages.

In Year 8, pupils continue with the language or languages begun in Year 7. More pupils will take up a second language while students better suited to studying just one language begin to prepare the FCSE qualification offered by the AQA examining board in either French or German. This leads to a nationally recognised certificate awarded at the end of Year 9.

Pupils consolidate their language learning in year 9 and can opt to study a language at GCSE. The study of a foreign language is very strongly recommended. Single linguists continue studying towards the FCSE qualification in either French or German.

In Key Stage 4, French and German are offered at GCSE. Some pupils study both languages. GCSE results are very good indeed. Learning is supported by language enrichment clubs at lunchtimes and the usefulness of languages in later life is recognised by pupils.

Pupils may also study French or German at AS and A level at The Ridgeway School. Results are very good and our pupils have regular access to native speakers through a Foreign Language Assistant.