Over St. John's CE Primary SchoolModern Foreign Languages
French Intent
At Over St John’s CE Primary School, the intent of our MFL curriculum is to develop an interest in and a lasting thirst for learning other languages, rooted in our theologically grounded Christian vision, ‘Let your light shine before others’ (Matthew 5:16). We put children first by enabling every pupil to recognise, develop and confidently use their God-given gifts — including communication, curiosity and cultural understanding — so that they can flourish and be prepared for their future.
Guided by our vision to help children grow in the love of God and live life in all its fullness, our MFL curriculum is designed to inspire learning, develop confidence and encourage pupils to embrace challenge. In a community shaped by disadvantage and limited access to wider cultural capital, learning a foreign language becomes an act of dignity and hope: it affirms that every child’s voice matters and that their light can be shared beyond their immediate context.
Through the learning of French, pupils are introduced to another language and culture in enjoyable, stimulating and inclusive ways. We seek to nurture curiosity, openness and respect for others, reflecting the Christian belief that all people are created with unique worth and value. By encountering similarities and differences between cultures, pupils deepen their understanding of community, diversity and global responsibility, supporting the development of compassionate, outward-looking citizens.
Our MFL curriculum progressively develops the essential skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing, enabling pupils to communicate with growing confidence and accuracy. Children acquire, use and apply a carefully sequenced bank of vocabulary, phonics and grammatical structures, organised around meaningful topics that support retention and long-term learning. This deliberate progression reflects our commitment to high ambition for all pupils, including those who are disadvantaged or have SEND, ensuring equitable access to the full curriculum.
Teaching approaches emphasise encouragement, resilience and confidence-building, allowing pupils to take risks without fear of failure. This mirrors our wider Christian ethos, where challenge is embraced as part of growth and learning is seen as a journey of becoming. Through regular, high-quality taught lessons, pupils are supported to persevere, practise and improve — developing independence as learners and trusting in their ability to succeed.
Our MFL curriculum also plays a vital role in developing pupils’ cultural capital, widening horizons and raising aspirations. By learning French, pupils are prepared for future language learning and for life beyond primary school, equipped with communication skills, cultural awareness and the confidence to engage with the wider world. In doing so, they are empowered to let their light shine — using language to connect, serve and contribute positively to society.
The French curriculum is designed to meet the content requirements of the National Curriculum and is underpinned by our whole-school curriculum rationale: to inspire learning, nurture curiosity and prepare pupils for their future by developing knowledge, skills and understanding that enable them to flourish as confident, respectful and hopeful individuals within God’s world.
Within our school, Reception and Key Stage One children are taught in single age classes, whereas Key Stage Two children are taught across three mixed year group classes and our curriculum is designed to reflect this. French is taught from Year 3 upwards and the children the curriculum is delivered through a two year rolling programme.
Please click on the links below to access our current French Subject Map and the French Progression of Skills and Knowledge document.