“Culture, Language and Communication: We aim to foster pupils’ appreciation and awareness of other cultures and empower them to communicate confidently in another language.”

Our Vision

At The Herewoode Academy, we believe that learning a modern foreign language is a vital part of preparing young people to live and work in a global community. Through high-quality teaching, pupils develop the confidence to communicate, the curiosity to explore new cultures, and the resilience to master new skills.

“Learning another language is not only learning different words for the same things, but learning another way to think about things.” – Flora Lewis

Our Curriculum

In Year 7, students spend half of the year studying the basics of French and the other half learning Spanish. This gives them a strong introduction to both languages and cultures, helping them discover which one they most enjoy and feel confident in.

At the end of Year 7, students are invited to express their language preference, and they will continue studying that chosen language throughout their time at the Academy.

From Year 8 onwards, pupils deepen their understanding of vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation, while also developing cultural awareness and an appreciation of the wider world, with the option to continue to GCSE at Key Stage 4.

By studying a modern foreign language, pupils will:

• Develop practical communication skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
• Gain insight into other cultures and learn to appreciate diversity and global perspectives.
• Improve literacy and analytical thinking, which support success across all subjects.
• Enhance future opportunities, with language skills highly valued by employers, universities, and international organisations.

Teaching and Learning

Our MFL classrooms are lively, supportive environments where students are encouraged to take risks and express themselves with growing accuracy and confidence. We use a range of engaging strategies, including:

• Interactive speaking activities and role plays to develop fluency.
• Authentic resources such as songs, videos, and films.
• Digital tools to support pronunciation, listening, and vocabulary retention.
• Cultural enrichment through language reward events, trips abroad, and celebrations of international festivals.

“But Everyone Speaks English Anyway…”

It’s true that English is widely spoken around the world — but that’s exactly why learning another language matters even more. When we make the effort to speak someone else’s language, we show respect, build trust, and connect on a deeper level.

Knowing another language can set you apart in the workplace, open doors to study or work abroad, and make travel far more rewarding. More importantly, it helps you see the world through someone else’s eyes — and that’s something English alone can’t do.

“To learn another language is to gain another soul.” – Charlemagne

Why Languages Matter

Learning a foreign language is more than a classroom subject — it’s a gateway to understanding the world. It promotes empathy, builds confidence, and strengthens the ability to think creatively and critically.

At The Herewoode Academy, we are proud to help students discover the joy of language learning and the doors it opens for their future.

What Students Learn

Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9)

At Key Stage 3, students build a solid foundation in understanding and using the language confidently in real-life contexts. They learn how to:

• Introduce themselves and others, talk about family, friends, and hobbies.
• Describe daily life, including school, food, home, and free-time activities.
• Express opinions, likes, and dislikes using a range of vocabulary and structures.
• Talk about the past and future, developing grammatical awareness.
• Engage with cultural topics, such as festivals, traditions, and life in French- or Spanish-speaking countries.

Students also develop essential language-learning strategies — using cognates, recognising patterns, and applying grammatical rules — that help them become independent learners.

Key Stage 4 (GCSE – Years 10–11)

GCSE Modern Foreign Languages (AQA French & AQA Spanish)

Specification & Assessment Overview

• The French course follows AQA GCSE French (8652).
• The Spanish course follows AQA GCSE Spanish (8692)
• Both courses are linear: students take all external exams at the end of the two-year course.
• There are two tiers of entry in each subject: Foundation (grades 1–5) and Higher (grades 4–9).

Subject Content – What students will learn

Both languages follow the same three broad themes underpinning all assessments.

Themes

1. 

• Students will develop their Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing skills equally — each component contributes 25% to the final GCSE grade. There is explicit focus on grammar, vocabulary (including tier-specific lists), and communication strategies — enabling pupils to give opinions, justify ideas, compare past, present and future, and engage with real-life contexts.

Why This Specification Matters

• This specification is designed to prepare pupils for global citizenship, engaging them with cultural contexts and real-world language use, not just classroom grammar.
• By covering the three themes with associated topics across two years, students build confidence in language use, broaden their horizons, and develop skills valued by universities and employers.
• The tiered approach ensures fairness and accessibility while allowing high-achievers to aim for top grades.

In Summary

Modern Languages at The Herewoode Academy help students become confident, global citizens who can communicate, collaborate, and succeed in an interconnected world. Whether they continue to higher education, travel abroad, or work internationally, their language skills will give them a lifelong advantage.

For further information please contact Mrs M Foreman at mforeman@herewoodeacademy.uk