Languages

The French department has continued to develop in the last few years, with large numbers opting to continue study to GCSE and a continued successful provision at A level. We are committed to fostering a passion for language learning by developing essential 'learning to learn' skills, with a focus on systematic retrieval and spaced practice. Our goal is to make the process of learning a language both enjoyable and attainable.

Our curriculum is continuously evolving to enhance language learning experience. In Year 7, our approach is informed by research-based pedagogy that prioritises phonemic awareness. Our curriculum incorporates projects on film studies, Francophone culture and global issues, thereby developing students’ cultural capital and enriching their education. 

Independent study plays a vital role in successful language acquisition. As such, students are expected to complete weekly learning tasks designed to reinforce and expand their vocabulary over time. We also offer targeted support to Year 11 students, with various levels of intervention provided on a weekly basis to ensure their success.

Wherever possible, we encourage students to engage with French speakers and French texts in authentic contexts. Recent years have seen trips to Brittany, Brussels, Paris, and Bordeaux, as well as the establishment of meaningful partnerships with French schools. We have also organised French-language film study days, theatre events and reward trips to Francophone restaurants so that children can use their language skills without leaving London.

We are eager to continue expanding our global connections within the French-speaking world and look forward to further enriching the student experience through these valuable opportunities.

For further information, please contact Miriam Burton, Head of French via languages@kingsdale.southwark.sch.uk 

Our German department has expanded greatly at KS3 over recent years and now has good uptake at KS3, KS4 and KS5. We have a mix of native and non-native staff, who work together to deliver our ambitious curriculum. We employ various teaching methods to assist learners in acquiring German in an environment where the target language is utilised as extensively as possible. The department is highly equipped with resources.

At KS4, our primary textbook for German is Pearson Edexcel GCSE German Higher, which we enhance with a variety of additional resources. Our lessons are engaging, with a focus on encouraging students to express themselves in German. Homework plays a crucial role in helping students retain what they've learned over time. It is assigned every lesson and typically includes a written task or a learning exercise. To support homework, a vocabulary list for each module is provided. Students who face difficulties with their homework are encouraged to seek assistance from their German teacher during lunchtime.

The German Department has recently organised successful trips to the Goethe Institute, Cambridge University, Emirates Stadium, Berlin (in collaboration with the History Department) and hosted the theatre company Onatti, who performed their play "Auf dem Campingplatz" at Kingsdale Foundation School.

For further information, please contact Ms Koch, Head of German via languages@kingsdale.southwark.sch.uk 

The Latin department has seen significant growth in recent years and is now a very strong subject at Kingsdale Foundation School with pupils studying it at all Key Stages. The department is proud to be one of the highest achieving departments in the school, with over 60% of students achieving grades 7-9 since the introduction of the new GCSEs in 2018, and 50% of students achieving a grade 9 in 2024.

The Latin department uses the Cambridge Latin Course for Years 7-11. Lessons are fun and encourage pupils to learn new vocabulary and grammar through songs and games. Homework is particularly important if what has been practised in class is to be remembered over a longer period of time. Homework is set every lesson and typically consists of either a vocabulary/grammar learning exercise or a translation/comprehension task. A vocabulary list is available for each year group to help with homework and we recommend that pupils also use websites such as www.cambridgescp.com, and www.quizlet.com to support their learning at home.

From the start of Year 7 pupils follow the Cambridge Latin Course where we meet Caecilius and his family and learn about life in Pompeii in AD79 through a variety of Latin texts. By the end of Key Stage 3, pupils will be able to recognise and translate three tenses and three cases.

At Key Stage 4, pupils continue to follow the Cambridge Latin Course and in addition to being introduced to more complex language, Latin prose and poetry, they also learn about aspects of Roman civilisation and daily life.  An annual trip to Rome is currently being run, supporting pupils in learning the civilisation content of their GCSE course. 

At A Level students follow the OCR course, studying both language and the prescribed prose and verse literature set texts.

For further information, please contact Mr Bowring, Head of Latin via languages@kingsdale.southwark.sch.uk 

Spanish is one of the world's most widely spoken languages and is increasingly valued by employers across a wide range of sectors, including international relations, global business, healthcare, law, and education. Studying Spanish also develops students' cultural awareness, global understanding, and communication skills, preparing them to thrive as confident global citizens beyond school. At Kingsdale, we are proud that so many of our students choose to continue their Spanish studies at both GCSE and A Level.

Our teaching approach is designed to help students develop confidence and fluency in Spanish through a wide range of engaging learning strategies. Lessons are delivered in an immersive environment where the target language is used as much as possible, enabling students to build their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills naturally and effectively.

The department is exceptionally well resourced. At Key Stage 4, we use the ¡Viva! course as our core textbook, complemented by a wide variety of additional materials. Our curriculum has been carefully developed to place greater emphasis on the acquisition and application of grammar, ensuring that students have the knowledge and confidence to communicate accurately and independently. Homework (vocabulary test) is set weekly through Satchel. Students who require additional support with their learning are encouraged to seek help from their Spanish teacher, who is available to provide guidance both online and during the school day. Students can use the online learning platform to build their Spanish vocabulary.

We are also committed to making language learning come alive outside the classroom. Each year, we offer a residential trip to Málaga for Key Stage 4 students, where they can experience Spanish language and culture first-hand. Also, there are other potential trips to Spain for other year groups. Within London, students also enjoy a range of cultural enrichment activities through partnerships with organisations such as the Instituto Cervantes and Onatti Productions, helping them to develop a deeper appreciation of the Spanish-speaking world.

For further information, please contact Ms Vecina-Jimenez and Ms Buisan Cortes, Co-Heads of Spanish and Ms Ducay, Second in Charge of Spanish via languages@kingsdale.southwark.sch.uk 

At Kingsdale, we are proud to give students who are native speakers of other languages the chance to achieve a GCSE or A Level qualification in their home language, where feasible. Over recent years, our students have achieved outstanding results in a wide variety of community languages, ranging from Arabic to Urdu.

Below, you’ll find a list of available languages along with links to the relevant exam board websites, where you can access past papers and detailed information about the exam content. While we do not provide lessons in these languages at Kingsdale, we can offer marking support for students who complete practice papers independently at home.

For more details, please contact Ms. Delli, Second in Charge of Modern Foreign Languages, at languages@kingsdale.southwark.sch.uk 

Arabic

GCSE 

A Level 

Bengali

GCSE 

A Level 

Chinese (Mandarin/Cantonese)

GCSE 

A Level 

Greek

GCSE 

A Level 

Gujarati

GCSE 

A Level 

Italian

GCSE 

A Level 

Japanese

GCSE 

A Level 

Modern Hebrew

GCSE 

A Level 

Panjabi

GCSE 

A Level 

Persian

GCSE 

A Level 

Polish

GCSE

A Level 

Portuguese

GCSE 

A Level 

Russian

GCSE 

A Level 

Turkish

GCSE 

A Level 

Urdu

GCSE