Modern Foreign Languages

Head of Department: Maureen Oswald

Members of Department:

  • Petra Antonio
  • David De Sousa (Joint Deputy Head of Department)
  • Katie Jones (Joint Deputy Head of Department)
  • Silvia Lapides
  • Maxine Louca (Maternity leave)
  • Shameem Pavel
  • Lucy Ross
  • Nerys Reeves
  • Sophie Hope

The Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) Department consists of eight members of teaching staff, and four foreign language assistants.  French or Spanish is taught to all Year 7 pupils for 2 sessions a week.  Those pupils who are very keen on languages may choose to study both French and Spanish in Year 8, and Bengali is also an option for Year 8 pupils.

The department occupies 6 rooms, 5 classrooms and one work room which is suitable for conversation classes with the language assistant.  Additionally, one of the classrooms is equipped with 30 network computer stations.  Each full-time teacher has their own classroom base, equipped with interactive screen.

  • The MFL curriculum at Morpeth presents students with a positive rationale for learning a language, which includes learning from authentic resources.  We want our students to be engaged in their learning, through topics which are relevant to their lives and give them a taste of the target language culture.  We wish to dispel stereotypes and show the many benefits of being able to speak other languages.
  • We provide the opportunity for all students to access and engage with their learning and gain the basic skills and confidence in order to express themselves confidently and fluently in a foreign language.  Teaching in the MFL department provides opportunities for students to develop transferable skills in literacy and oracy, which can be applied across the curriculum.  These skills include the ability to spot patterns, understand the grammar and structure of language as well as communicating accurately.  We aim to show how language learning fits in to a broader curriculum, how it can support learning in other subjects, as well as fostering an inherent interest in language learning for its own sake.
  • An accumulation of grammatical structures and vocabulary, presented in a logical sequence allows students to develop the skills required to be able to express themselves in spoken and written language, in contexts which are relevant to them, as well as a basis for GCSE, and learn strategies for understanding spoken and written languages.  Students are challenged to manipulate language, drawing on prior learning, to be able to express themselves in new and different contexts.  Students receive feedback in a variety of ways which address misconceptions and errors, allowing them to progress with more confidence.  Grammatical concepts are regularly interleaved in relevant and logical sequences.
  • The curriculum at KS3 will form a solid basis for language learning at KS4, whereby we aim to develop language through complexity of language and ideas, rather than a duplication of their learning at KS3.  At KS5, A level French students expand their cultural and sociological knowledge to have a deep understanding of the Francophone world, They become more independent in their learning, by choosing an area of personal interest for their Independent Research Project.

Key Stage 3 Curriculum

  • Pupils study either French or Spanish (Year 7)
  • Topics include: My Family, Where I live, My school, Leisure and free time, Food, Health, and Holidays
  • In Year 8, pupils can choose to study Bengali
  • Pupils who are particularly interested in learning languages can learn French and Spanish in Year 8
  • Year 7 pupils have the opportunity to spend a day in France in the summer term
  • Pupils identified as Gifted and Talented attend the annual BFI trip for both French and Spanish, to study the language through short films
  • Year 8 pupils have the opportunity to spend 3 nights in Paris in the Spring Term

Key Stage 4 Curriculum

  • Pupils take Spanish, French or Bengali at GCSE
  • In Year 10 there is also the opportunity to apply for the Routes Into Languages Summer School, run by London universities for students interested in languages in higher education
  • Spanish GCSE pupils have the opportunity to spend a few days in Barcelona in the Autumn Term

Key Stage 5 Curriculum

French A Level is currently offered at Morpeth, and we hope to offer Spanish in the near future.

Curriculum overview

Click here to see the Key Stages 3 and 4 curriculum overview

Click here for the Bengali KS3 curriculum road map

Other Important Information

We aim to offer pupils who speak other languages the opportunity to gain a GCSE qualification in that language. Pupils have taken GCSEs in Portuguese, Italian, Arabic, Turkish and Chinese.