Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) at Heronsgate Primary School

 

Intent

At Heronsgate Primary School, our MFL curriculum is designed to open the world to our pupils. We believe that learning a language enriches children’s understanding of other cultures, strengthens communication skills, and nurtures curiosity about the wider world. All children across the school learn a modern foreign language, reflecting our commitment to inclusivity, diversity and global awareness.

French is taught by our specialist teacher, Mrs. Kempton, who brings expertise, enthusiasm, and high-quality subject knowledge to the classroom. Pupils in Years 3 to 5 focus on French, building strong foundations in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. In Year 6, pupils learn Spanish, giving them the opportunity to broaden their linguistic experience and develop transferable language-learning strategies.

Languages are celebrated throughout our school community. We value and recognise the many languages spoken by our pupils and families and we take pride in the rich cultural diversity that shapes Heronsgate. Our aim is for every child to leave us with confidence, cultural awareness, and a genuine enjoyment of language learning.

Implementation

Our MFL curriculum is carefully structured to ensure progression, engagement, and meaningful learning experiences. French lessons delivered by Mrs. Kempton provide consistency and specialist teaching across Key Stage 2. Lessons are interactive, purposeful and rooted in authentic language use, enabling pupils to develop strong pronunciation, vocabulary knowledge and grammatical understanding.

In Year 6, Spanish is introduced to extend pupils’ linguistic horizons and prepare them for the varied language pathways offered at secondary school. (Spanish is offered at Walton High). Across all year groups, we integrate songs, stories, games, digital tools and real-world contexts to make language learning vibrant and memorable. Don't forget you can access your child's DuoLingo Account: Duolingo - The world’s most popular way to learn

Heronsgate’s commitment to international education is reflected in our wide range of global learning opportunities. We are proud to have been awarded the Intermediate level of the British Council’s International School Award, recognising our work to bring the world into the classroom. Our international projects include:

  • Supporting primary-aged children in Malawi through charitable initiatives, fostering empathy and global responsibility
  • A penfriend scheme with schools in France, helping pupils understand everyday life in another country
  • Using Duolingo to explore a wide range of world languages
  • Celebrating the European Day of Languages, where pupils explore and appreciate linguistic diversity across Europe

These experiences deepen cultural understanding and help pupils see themselves as global citizens.

Impact

Our MFL provision ensures that pupils leave Heronsgate with:

  • A strong foundation in French and an introduction to Spanish
  • Confidence in communicating in another language
  • An appreciation for cultural diversity and global perspectives
  • Curiosity about the world and a desire to continue language learning
  • Skills that support future study, travel, and international awareness

The success of our approach is reflected not only in pupils’ enthusiasm and progress but also in our recognition by the British Council, celebrating our commitment to international education and cultural understanding.

Herons’ Partnership

As part of our strong partnership with Heronshaw School, Mrs. Kempton also teaches languages to Heronshaw pupils. This early exposure helps build confidence, sparks interest in language learning, and ensures a smooth and positive transition into Heronsgate’s MFL curriculum.