Buckingham Park Primary School

Intent

Our intention at Buckingham Park Primary school is to have a clear progression in the understanding of French taught throughout Key Stage 2. We endeavour to teach and encourage our children to develop an interest in learning a modern foreign language, in a way that is enjoyable and inspiring. We make every effort to stimulate and encourage children’s curiosity about language and help children develop their awareness of cultural differences in other countries. We strive to embed the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills necessary to enable children to use and apply their French learning in a variety of contexts. This lays the foundations for further progression and future language learning, preparing children to be a global citizen.

Implementation

Using the Salut! programme resources, we base our teaching of French on our curriculum map for languages, which is well sequenced and progressive. It identifies the outcomes we expect children to reach at the end of each year group. A variety of techniques, are used to encourage the children to engage actively in the language: these include playing games, role-play and songs. We use commercially produced language learning programmes incorporating videos and recordings, which allow the children to listen and imitate a native speaker. Where appropriate we may use puppets or soft toys to demonstrate the foreign language. We use mime to accompany new vocabulary in the foreign language, as this teaches the language without the need for translation.

Initially we place more emphasis on listening and speaking skills than on reading and writing skills. We also use a multi-sensory and kinaesthetic approach to teaching, i.e. we try to introduce a physical element into some games, as we believe that this serves to reinforce memory. The lessons are as entertaining and enjoyable as possible, as we realise that this approach serves to develop a positive attitude in the children to the learning of modern foreign languages. We build children’s confidence through constant praise for any contribution they make in the foreign language, however tentative. We hold a whole school French day, which involves the children fully experiencing the culture and language of France; eating French food, singing songs, playing French games, speaking and listening in French as much as possible throughout the day.

Impact

Our curriculum,  teaches children to understand the relevance of what they are learning in French and how it relates to everyday life and travel. At the end of their learning at Key Stage 2 children will be able to listen, speak, read and write in French competently in severla areas. The impact of the French curriculum at Buckingham Park school allows all children to achieve at least age-related expectations, with many children attaining above expected progress.

At Buckingham Park Primary School, we are committed to providing all children with learning opportunities, which engage them in music. This policy sets out a framework within which teaching staff can give guidance on planning, teaching and assessment. It has been developed through a process of consultation with school staff and governors.

Intent: Why do we teach music?

At Buckingham Park the intention is that children gain a firm understanding of what music is through listening, singing, playing, evaluating, analysing, and composing across a wide variety of historical periods, styles, traditions, and musical genres. Our objective at Buckingham Park is to develop a curiosity for the subject, as well as an understanding and acceptance of the validity and importance of all types of music, and an unbiased respect for the role that music may wish to be expressed in any person’s life. We are committed to ensuring children understand the value and importance of music in the wider community, and are able to use their musical skills, knowledge, and experiences to involve themselves in music, in a variety of different contexts.

Implementation: What do we teach?

Children learn music through the Charanga music scheme. The music curriculum ensures children sing, listen, play, perform and evaluate. This is embedded in the classroom activities as well as the weekly singing assemblies, various concerts and performances, and the learning of instruments. The elements of music are taught in the classroom lessons so that children are able to use some of the language of music to dissect it, and understand how it is made, played, appreciated and analysed. In the classroom children follow Charanga which enables children to understand musical concepts through a repetition-based approach to learning. Learning about the same musical concept through different musical activities enables a secure, deep learning and mastery of musical skills. The scheme allows a progressive approach which enables children to embed a deeper learning, knowledge, understanding and skills.