French
All pupils study French as their core modern foreign language in Year 9 with many adding other languages and higher qualifications in Modern Languages during their School career.
GCSE
On joining the school in Year 9, pupils all study French and, in addition,
opt to learn either German or Spanish. As a result, they are in a position to
make an informed choice as to which language or languages to choose for their
GCSE phase, as French, German and Spanish then form part of the option system.
The aim of the GCSE course in French is to prepare in the broadest possible
terms for the examinations in Year 11, at the same time as providing a sound
basis for study at AS or A2 Level for those who wish to continue in the Sixth
Form.
Sixth Form
A number of topics are introduced in the Lower Sixth at AS level and the work
done at this stage then becomes the basis for deeper consideration in the Upper
Sixth. The topics are arranged in a sequence so that material from one can be
used in the next: in French, for example, sport leads to drugs, to smoking,
to drinking, to road safety, to the Channel Tunnel, to the T.G.V., to technology,
to employment and so on.
AS level
The AS taken at the end of the Lower Sixth, is composed of three units:
- An oral paper
- A paper to test listening, reading and writing skills
- A third paper also tests reading and writing skills.
A2 or A-level
The A2, sat at the end of the Upper Sixth, also consists of three units:
- An oral test in two parts
- A written paper to test listening, reading and writing skills
- Coursework. There are two assessed essays; the first is tackled in the
Autumn Term of the Upper Sixth year and the second is written in the following
Spring Term.