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Rowdeford School - modern foreign languages

Background

Rowdeford School is an 11–16 mixed special school in Devizes, Wiltshire. There are 114 students on roll who come to the school from all over the county. Most travel daily by minibus or taxi, some having a journey of 30–40 miles each way. There are also weekly boarding facilities for 25 students. All the students at the school have statements of special educational needs. Most have moderate learning difficulties but some have more complex learning and/or behavioural difficulties. An autistic unit was opened in 2002, which will take in more students each year.

The school has high expectations of all students and aims to deliver high-quality teaching to cater for their different learning styles and their stages of learning development.

Modern foreign languages at key stage 4

Rowdeford School’s modern foreign languages provision begins at key stage 3. All students are taught French for two 45-minute lessons per week. This continues at key stage 4, where all students have to continue with French and usually aim for the AQA Entry level qualification. Last year, for the first time, four students were entered for GCSE French foundation tier. This was not only a first for the modern languages department, but also a first for the school. These students had an extra 45-minute lesson per week. All students achieved grades between C and E.

The Entry level course suits the range of ability in the school and follows on very well from a course developed by Hampshire LEA, ‘Le français, c’est facile’, used at key stage 3. The key stage 4 course covers the 12 units of the AQA specification. The students are required to be assessed in only six of these units. The French teacher appreciates the flexibility available to her. Although the course gives access to entry levels 2 and 3, for the last two years all students have achieved level 3. As well as using attractive course materials, students are motivated by the use of ICT in some units and by a residential trip to France, where they have the opportunity to use their language skills in real situations. The planned visit of a French student to the school will provide another contact with a native speaker. The French teacher also ensures that a range of culturally relevant visual materials and artefacts are used in the classroom to promote the students’ cultural awareness.

The students all enjoy their course at key stage 4. The French teacher finds the units of work interesting, useful, manageable and practical. The students find the course motivating as well as challenging. For some students to attempt GCSE French has been a real achievement for them and the school.

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Page updated: 12 June 2008
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