The Modern Foreign Languages Department at The King’s Academy is a strong and established team with a proven track record of excellent exam results at both KS4 and KS5. The department is situated on the first floor of the Academy building and consists of five language classrooms along the same corridor. There is also an office and store room situated next to these rooms and two computer suites adjacent.

Students have access to a textbook in school and an activity workbook for use in class and for homework. Each classroom is equipped with a computer (with Internet access for the teacher), a digital projector and a screen. On the Intranet there are extensive staff and student shared areas and digital audio and video libraries. Listening exercises in class are conducted using the Soundfield system for maximum effectiveness. Classrooms are also equipped with a Coomber CD/cassette player which can be used with headphones for individual student study.

There are currently six permanent members of the MFL department. All members of the department are able to teach two languages and this expertise is offered in French, German and Spanish.

• Mrs Nichola Hardy (HOD) — (French KS3–5, Spanish KS3)
• Miss Jayne Bass (AST) — (Spanish KS3–4, French KS3—4)
• Miss Célia Menault (TLL) — (French KS3–5, Spanish KS3—4)
• Ms Sally Gray (AVP,Head of Sixth Form) — (French KS3–5, German KS3)
• Mrs Hélène Tatham — (French KS3–5, German KS3)
• Mrs Barbara Bethge — (German KS3–5, French KS3)

The department also has a French Foreign Language Assistant who works with a variety of classes focusing mainly on KS4 and KS5 students.

Key Stage 3 French

French is the main language taught in KS3. Students are set at the beginning of Year 7 and have between one and three lessons depending on the set and the students’ literacy support commitments.

Key Stage 3 German and Spanish

The top two sets pick up a second language in Year 8 and continue with this until the end of Year 9.

Currently, the top French set in Year 8 has two German lessons a week and the second set has two Spanish lessons a week in addition to their French lessons.

Key Stage 4 French, German and Spanish (from September 2010)

At the end of Year 9, the top 80—90 students have to opt for a language at GCSE. Those who have previously learnt two languages can study either of the languages or both. We currently follow the Edexcel GCSE course.

Key Stage 5 French and German

Both French and German are offered at A level and we currently follow the AQA specification.