Courses
We offer a broad and balanced curriculum, for key stage 3 (Years 7-9), key stage 4 (Years 10 and 11) and key stage 5 (Years 12 and 13 - Sixth Form). Click the appropriate button below to find the details for each subject offered in each key stage.
Further details of our curriculum are available on the curriculum page.
Overview
French
Introduction
Nearly all students study for one GCSE qualification in either French or Spanish with some studying for two GCSE qualifications. The final examinations for students taking the GCSE consist of listening, reading, speaking and writing exams. Students will be entered at either foundation or higher level in all skill areas. They are assessed at the end of the second year in the summer term of Year 11. In 2026 students will sit the new GCSE with slightly different assessments, however, they still cover the same four skills.
Each language is taught through a range of topics that sequence grammatical acquisition and provide regular opportunities for students to develop:
- A wide vocabulary.
- Listening, reading, speaking, writing fluency.
- Cultural awareness.
In class, stimulating, varied activities challenge students to think in a supportive environment. Lessons build from structured activities to more independent tasks and vary, depending on the progress of the student. Language is revisited and reused to embed knowledge and build a firm foundation for further learning. Students’ understanding is checked and redirected throughout lessons and thorough planned class feedback. We use common assessments at the end of each module to check progress, identify learning gaps and feed back to address insecure knowledge. Recapping prior knowledge is part of lessons and assessment. Cultural capital is imbued in lessons through exposure to target language, idiom, authentic contexts and cultural difference.
Qualification
GCSE
Awarding body
AQA
Course leader
Ms M Tiernan
Assessment (in 2025)
- Examination: 75%
- Paper 1 Listening: Foundation 35 mins +5 mins reading time | Higher 45 mins +5 mins reading time | 25%
- Paper 3 Reading: Foundation 45 mins | Higher 1 hour | 25%
- Paper 4 Writing: Foundation 1 hour | Higher 1 hour 15 mins | 25%
- Non-examined assessment: 25%
- Paper 2 Speaking: Foundation 7–9 mins + preparation time | Higher 10–12 mins + preparation time | 25%
Assessment (from 2026)
- Examination: 75%
- Paper 1 Listening: Foundation 35 mins +5 mins reading time +2 mins checking time | Higher 45 mins +5 mins reading time +2 mins checking time | 25%
- Paper 3 Reading: Foundation 45 mins | Higher 1 hour | 25%
- Paper 4 Writing: Foundation 1 hour 10 mins | Higher 1 hour 15 mins | 25%
- Non-examined assessment: 25%
- Paper 2 Speaking: Foundation 7–9 mins +15 mins preparation time | Higher 10–12 mins +15 mins preparation time | 25%
Curriculum
Course content
The more languages you learn the bigger and better your world becomes. We want you to gain a sense of the excitement of the world we live in and to give you the skills to get to know it personally. At GCSE, you will develop a wide range of language learning skills, which will help you to communicate with people all over the world, learn other languages in the future and enjoy life wherever you may be.
You will learn to:
- Listen to and understand short passages.
- Speak French by taking part in conversations.
- Read aloud and understand written French.
- Write your opinions and ideas accurately in French.
- Translate from and into French.
You will be expected to learn a total of 1200 words or phrases at foundation level and 1700 at higher level. From 2026, in addition to the current exam students will need to do dictation (listening exam) and reading aloud (speaking exam) tasks.
Topics
The GCSE course is divided into three main themes:
- Theme 1: people and lifestyle.
- Theme 2: popular culture.
- Theme 3: communication and the world around us.
From 2026 in the new GCSE, students will study the same themes but with slightly different content. There will be one new topic: celebrity culture.
Skills and requirements
Skills required
You need to be able to:
- Listen.
- Learn vocabulary regularly.
- Learn and use structures.
- Speak to others in French.
- Read and write short passages in French.
- Work co-operatively with others in class.
- Write down what you hear (dictation) and read aloud with clear pronunciation.
Beyond the classroom
Future pathways
A language is a great addition to any skill set and can broaden work and life opportunities, as is spoken extensively throughout the world.
A GCSE qualification in a language will help you when applying to university. With a good GCSE you will be able to continue your language to A-level and this may help you to get into the top universities. Travel and working abroad will become much more interesting.
