MFL Curriculum Rationale
At Rosebrook Primary School, our Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) curriculum is designed to provide our pupils with a strong foundation in the French language and a deeper understanding of French culture. We believe that learning a foreign language is a vital component of a well-rounded education, as it not only develops linguistic skills but also fosters intercultural awareness and global citizenship.
Our MFL curriculum fully aligns with the requirements of the National Curriculum, which states that “learning a foreign language is a liberation from insularity and provides an opening to other cultures.” We have chosen to focus on French as it is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world and is the official language of many countries, including our close neighbour, France. This strategic decision allows our pupils to develop language skills that can be built upon as they progress to secondary school and beyond.
The MFL curriculum at Rosebrook is particularly well-suited to our pupil population, as many of our children come from backgrounds with limited exposure to other cultures and languages. By providing them with the opportunity to learn French, we are opening up a world of possibilities and equipping them with the skills and knowledge to engage with diverse communities, both locally and globally. This aligns with our school’s core values of Determination, Enthusiasm, Ambition, Respect, and Growth Mindset, as learning a new language requires perseverance, a positive attitude, and a willingness to step outside one’s comfort zone.
Our MFL curriculum is aspirational in nature, as we aim to develop not only our pupils’ language proficiency but also their cultural awareness and appreciation. Through the use of the Mr French scheme of work, which is delivered by a native French-speaking teacher, our pupils are exposed to authentic language and cultural experiences. This, combined with the presence of the class teacher during lessons, ensures that our pupils receive high-quality instruction and ongoing support to make progress in their language learning.
Whole School Aims
The MFL curriculum at Rosebrook Primary School is fully aligned with our school’s vision and values. Our guiding principle, “We can be whatever we dream,” is reflected in the opportunities we provide for our pupils to explore and develop their language skills, ultimately broadening their horizons and unlocking their potential.
Our DREAM core values – Determination, Respect, Enthusiasm, Ambition, and Growth Mindset – are woven throughout the MFL curriculum. Pupils are encouraged to approach their language learning with determination and enthusiasm, to respect and appreciate cultural differences, and to maintain an ambitious and growth-oriented mindset as they navigate the challenges of acquiring a new language.
Subject Vision
At Rosebrook Primary School, we believe that learning a foreign language is not just about acquiring vocabulary and grammar; it is about developing a deeper understanding and appreciation of other cultures. Our MFL curriculum is designed to provide our pupils with the linguistic skills and intercultural competence necessary to engage with the world beyond Stockton-on-Tees.
By teaching French, we aim to cultivate our pupils’ curiosity and open their minds to the diversity of the global community. We want our pupils to develop a genuine interest in the French language and culture, and to see themselves as global citizens who can communicate and collaborate with people from different backgrounds.
This vision aligns with our school’s improvement priorities, particularly in the areas of reading comprehension, oracy progression, and personal development. By exposing our pupils to authentic French language and cultural experiences, we are not only developing their linguistic skills but also enhancing their communication abilities, broadening their worldviews, and fostering their social and emotional development.
Communication with Stakeholders
To ensure the successful implementation of our MFL curriculum, we will engage in effective communication with all stakeholders, including parents, carers, and the wider community.
We will use a variety of channels to share our MFL curriculum rationale, including:
- School website: We will publish a detailed overview of our MFL curriculum, including its aims, content, and alignment with the National Curriculum and our school’s vision and values.
- Newsletters and social media: We will share updates, successes, and examples of our pupils’ language learning experiences through our school’s communication channels.
By maintaining open and transparent communication with our stakeholders, we aim to foster a shared understanding and appreciation of the importance of MFL education at Rosebrook Primary School.
Addressing Inspection Feedback
The MFL curriculum rationale at Rosebrook Primary School directly addresses the feedback provided in the most recent Ofsted inspection.
The inspection report highlighted that while the school’s curriculum in core subjects, such as mathematics and English, is well-planned and structured, the foundation subjects, including geography and science, lack precision in some key concepts. In response, our MFL curriculum has been designed with a clear, sequential progression of knowledge and skills, ensuring that our pupils learn more and remember more as they move through the key stages.
Furthermore, the inspection report noted the need for the school to implement a detailed scheme of work for pupils’ personal development, with a focus on helping them understand local risks and develop the necessary skills to deal with them. Our MFL curriculum, with its emphasis on intercultural understanding and global citizenship, directly contributes to this priority. By exposing our pupils to the language and culture of another country, we are equipping them with the knowledge and skills to navigate an increasingly interconnected world and make informed decisions about their personal safety and well-being.
Through the implementation of our comprehensive MFL curriculum rationale, Rosebrook Primary School is well-positioned to address the areas for improvement identified in the Ofsted inspection and continue to provide our pupils with a high-quality, well-rounded education.