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MFL - French

French at Bamford Academy

At Bamford Academy, we value Modern Foreign Languages (MFL). We are all Linguists! The French curriculum promotes curiosity and a love and thirst for learning. It is ambitious and empowers our children to become independent and resilient - like all curriculum areas. We want to equip them with not only the minimum statutory requirements of the National Curriculum for French but to prepare them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life. We use a scheme to approach learning with consistency and progression throughout the school.

Welcome to French at Bamford Academy! Our children are at the heart of everything we do, and we want every child to feel happy, safe and excited to try something new - including a new language. Every child in Years 3 to 6 learns French each week, building from first greetings towards speaking with increasing confidence. Learning French is a wonderful way to nurture our school vision: working together to develop lifelong learners who are happy, ambitious and curious about the world around them. You can read more in our Headteacher’s Welcome.

Our five core values - Respect, Perseverance, Kindness, Acceptance and Responsibility - run through every French lesson (see Our Values). Children show Respect by listening carefully to one another, Perseverance by keeping going with a tricky new sound, Kindness by encouraging classmates, Acceptance by valuing the many languages and cultures in our community, and Responsibility by taking part and looking after their learning.

We hope this page helps you understand what your child will experience in French and how you can share in their learning journey.

French at Bamford Academy - At a glance

Who learns French? Every child in Years 3 to 6 (Key Stage 2).
How often? A timetabled lesson of at least 30 minutes every week, with French revisited in short sessions during the week to help new language stick.
Which scheme? Kapow Primary French – a carefully structured sequence that builds skills step by step.
Five key skills: speaking, listening, reading, writing and grammar.
How do children learn? Through songs, raps, interactive games, interactive whiteboard activities and desk-based tasks.
Curriculum plan: a two-year cycle (Cycle A and Cycle B) for Years 3/4 and Years 5/6, set out in our 2026–2028 long-term overview.
Checking progress: a Knowledge Catcher at the start and a quiz at the end of every unit, plus evidence of learning in children’s workbooks.
Culture and values: learning about French-speaking countries and traditions, and about British values such as Mutual Respect and Tolerance.

Intent: Why we teach French at Bamford Academy

Why does Bamford Academy teach French?

We teach French to widen children’s view and understanding of the world and to help them gain confidence, knowledge and transferable skills in languages. Learning a foreign language is also part of the primary National Curriculum, and a requirement for every child in Key Stage 2.

What do we want for our children?

We believe that learning a foreign language is a fundamental skill. It helps children to take part in a multi-cultural society and introduces them to the global world. Our aim is for children to leave primary school passionate, curious and confident about their own language learning, with solid foundations that prepare them for the next stage of their language journey and inspire them to carry on with languages in their further education.

French also helps children understand themselves. By learning about culture in other countries and comparing it with their own, children strengthen their sense of identity and grow in the British values of Mutual Respect and Tolerance - valuing the people, languages and traditions that make up our vibrant and diverse school community. This is Acceptance in action.

As in every subject at Bamford, we are ambitious for our children. We want them to become independent and resilient learners (Perseverance), ready for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life.

Implementation: How we teach French at Bamford Academy

What does a French lesson look like?

French is taught to the whole class using the Kapow Primary French scheme. Lessons are designed to motivate, captivate and interest children from the first moment, with clear, achievable objectives and a mix of activities to suit different learning styles. You might see:

PowerPoints and interactive whiteboard activities
interactive games
songs and raps
desk-based activities to consolidate learning

Which language skills do children develop?

Each lesson focusses on a combination of five key language skills:

Speaking - having conversations, asking and answering questions, expressing opinions, and developing accurate pronunciation and intonation.
Listening - listening attentively, joining in and responding, and exploring the patterns and sounds of French through songs and rhymes.
Reading - reading carefully and showing understanding of words, phrases and simple writing, and enjoying stories, songs, poems and rhymes.
Writing - writing phrases from memory and adapting them to create new sentences, describing people, places, things and actions.
Grammar - understanding how French works, such as masculine and feminine words and common verbs, and noticing similarities and differences with English.

What are the key principles behind our French curriculum?

Spoken language first - regular speaking and listening, including songs, games and conversations, build pronunciation and fluency.
Grammar in context - fundamental grammar is introduced in meaningful ways so children understand how the language works.
Rich vocabulary - everyday and topic-based vocabulary helps children express themselves with growing confidence.
Cultural awareness - lessons give insights into French-speaking cultures and broaden children’s understanding of the world.
Progressive learning - skills and knowledge build year on year, so children leave with a strong foundation for secondary school.

In the classroom: a closer look at “French Greetings with puppets”

Children in Years 3 and 4 begin Cycle A with this unit in Autumn 1. Because spoken language comes first, the focus is on listening, joining in and trying out greetings aloud through the songs, games and conversations that are part of our French lessons. The unit begins with a Knowledge Catcher, so teachers can see what children already know, and finishes with a quiz that shows what they have learned. Along the way, children practise taking turns, listening respectfully and encouraging one another – our values of Respect and Kindness in action.

How do British values come to life in French?

Mutual Respect and Tolerance - children learn about French-speaking countries and traditions and compare them with their own, valuing difference.
Individual Liberty - children are encouraged to express opinions and ask questions, building the confidence to speak up.
Democracy and the Rule of Law - these appear in everyday ways, such as listening to everyone’s ideas, taking turns and following the rules of games and routines.

How do we check how children are getting on?

Every Kapow unit begins with a Knowledge Catcher and ends with a quiz, so we can see how children’s knowledge and understanding have grown. Each child’s progress is recorded in their workbook, giving a clear record of achievement. Our Subject Leader observes lessons, gives feedback to teachers, and works with class teachers to monitor progress across the key stage. Where appropriate, children are also encouraged to share their French in class assemblies and presentations.

You may notice your child…

singing or rapping a French song, or using a few French words such as greetings or numbers at home
asking, “How do you say… in French?”
bringing home a worksheet from a French unit, which teachers may send home as a homework exercise
feeling a little shy about speaking aloud at first – this is completely normal, and a smile and a “well done for trying” go a long way

Impact: What children achieve in French

What will my child be able to do?

By the time children leave Bamford Academy they will have developed a strong foundation in French, enabling them to communicate with increasing confidence and enthusiasm, and to appreciate language learning as a lifelong skill. Through our structured and engaging curriculum, all children make strong progress in speaking, listening, reading and writing. You will see this in four main ways:

Confident communicators - children regularly practise conversational skills and accurate pronunciation.
Well-rounded language skills - reading and writing sit alongside spoken French, preparing children for further study at secondary school.
Clear evidence of learning - each child’s progress is recorded in their workbook.
Cultural awareness - learning about French-speaking countries and traditions gives children a broader understanding of the world.

By the end of Key Stage 2, the National Curriculum expects children to be able to:

listen attentively to spoken French and show understanding by joining in and responding
engage in conversations, ask and answer questions, express opinions and respond to those of others
speak in sentences using familiar vocabulary, phrases and basic language structures
read carefully and show understanding of words, phrases and simple writing
write phrases from memory and adapt them to create new sentences
describe people, places, things and actions orally and in writing

What does success look like in French?

Success in French is not about being perfect. It is about confidence, effort and talk. A successful French learner is a child who is willing to have a go, joins in with songs and conversations, asks for help or clarification when they need it, and keeps trying when a new word or sound feels tricky. Making mistakes is a natural part of learning a language, and we celebrate every step forward - because a child who feels confident to speak is a child who will keep learning.

What your child will learn in French: Curriculum Overview, Years 3–6

Our long-term overview sets out the units children will study across 2026–2028. French is planned in two cycles, Cycle A and Cycle B, for Years 3 and 4 and for Years 5 and 6. Your child’s class teacher can tell you which cycle your child is currently following. The final column shows where each unit offers a natural link to British values.

Years 3 and 4 - Cycle A

Children begin with greetings and build towards ordering and shopping for French food.

Term	Unit	British values link
Autumn 1	French Greetings with puppets	Mutual respect: greeting others politely and listening to each other
Autumn 2	French adjectives of colour, size and shape	Individual liberty: describing things in their own words and sharing their own ideas
Spring 1	Playground games – numbers and age	Rule of law: taking turns and following the rules of games fairly
Spring 2	In a French classroom	Tolerance: comparing school life in France with our own
Summer 1	Bon Appetit	Tolerance: appreciating food and customs that differ from our own
Summer 2	Shopping for French food	Individual liberty: making choices and saying what they prefer

Years 3 and 4 – Cycle B

Children talk about themselves and their school day, celebrate special occasions and explore food from across France.

Term	Unit	British values link
Autumn 1	This is me	Mutual respect: sharing about themselves and listening to others do the same
Autumn 2	School days	Rule of law: comparing school routines and rules with our own
Spring 1	Birthday celebrations	Tolerance: celebrating the different ways people mark special occasions
Spring 2	Colourful creatures	Individual liberty: expressing their own ideas and imagination
Summer 1	Fabulous French food	Tolerance: appreciating food traditions from another country
Summer 2	Gourmet tour of France	Mutual respect: learning about different parts of France and the people who live there

Years 5 and 6 – Cycle A

Children describe people and families, talk about clothes and weather, and explore the wider French-speaking world before planning a holiday.

Term	Unit	British values link
Autumn 1	Portraits – describing in France	Mutual respect: describing people kindly and respectfully
Autumn 2	Meet my French family	Mutual respect and tolerance: valuing every kind of family
Spring 1	Clothes – getting dressed in France	Individual liberty: choices and personal preferences
Spring 2	French weather	Tolerance: finding out how everyday life differs in France
Summer 1	Exploring the French-speaking world	Tolerance: appreciating diverse cultures, languages and communities
Summer 2	Planning a French holiday	Democracy: sharing ideas, listening to others’ views and agreeing a plan together

Years 5 and 6 – Cycle B

Children explore transport, homes and music, talk about their week, visit a French town and finish with sport and the Olympics.

Term	Unit	British values link
Autumn 1	French transport	Rule of law: understanding why rules keep people safe when travelling
Autumn 2	In my French house	Mutual respect: respecting different homes and ways of living
Spring 1	French music celebrations	Tolerance: enjoying music and celebrations from another culture
Spring 2	Verbs in a French week	Individual liberty: talking about the things they choose to do
Summer 1	Visiting a town in France	Mutual respect: being a polite, respectful visitor in another community
Summer 2	French sport and Olympics	Rule of law and mutual respect: fair play and respecting opponents

How can I help my child with French at home?

You do not need to speak French to help! A few minutes of singing, playing and chatting can help new words stick. Here are three quick ideas to get you started:

Ask your child to teach you a French word, phrase or song from their lesson.
Play a simple French game together – songs and games are part of every lesson.
Celebrate having a go. Effort matters more than perfection.

View and Download Our Modern Foreign Languages Intent, Implementation and Impact Statement View and Download Our Modern Foreign Languages Policy

Would you prefer a paper copy? We are happy to provide a free printed copy of any of these documents. Please ask at the school office, call 01706 631496 or email office@bamfordacademy.co.uk.

Supporting every child

French is for everyone at Bamford Academy. Lessons are taught to the whole class, with clear, achievable objectives, so that children of all abilities develop solid foundations in the key language skills. Children with special educational needs can access the French curriculum through changes to the task, the way children are grouped, or support from an adult. This is Acceptance in action: every child is valued, and every child belongs in our French lessons.

You can find out more about how we support children on our SEND page.

If you ever feel your child needs a little extra support - or more challenge - in French, please talk to us. Your child’s class teacher will always work with you to find the right way forward.

Frequently Asked Questions about French at Bamford Academy

Which year groups learn French, and how often?

All children in Years 3 to 6 learn French. Every class has a timetabled lesson of at least 30 minutes each week, and teachers can also revisit French in short sessions during the week to help children remember new language.

Is French compulsory in primary school?

Yes. Learning a foreign language is part of the primary National Curriculum and is a requirement for all children in Key Stage 2. At Bamford Academy, every child in Years 3 to 6 learns French.

Do I need to speak French to help my child at home?

Not at all. Children can teach you what they have learned, and songs and games are a fun way to practise together. Worksheets are provided throughout each unit and may sometimes be sent home as a homework exercise.

How will I know how well my child is getting on?

Every unit begins with a Knowledge Catcher and ends with a quiz, and each child’s progress is recorded in their workbook. Our Subject Leader and class teachers also monitor progress together. If you would like to know how your child is doing, please speak to their class teacher.

What if my child finds French difficult or feels shy about speaking?

That is very common, and we are here to help. Our lessons put spoken language first through songs, games and conversations, and teachers can adapt tasks, groupings or adult support so that every child can join in. Our values of Kindness and Perseverance help children feel safe to have a go. If you have any worries, please talk to your child’s teacher.

Will French help my child at secondary school?

Yes. Our curriculum builds skills and knowledge year on year so that children leave primary school with a strong foundation in French, ready for further language learning at secondary school.

Get in touch

We would love to hear from you. If you have a question about French, would like to see an example of your child’s learning, or want to share how they are getting on, please get in touch with the school office call 01706 631496 or email office@bamfordacademy.co.uk. and we will be happy to help.

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