Intent

The intention of our Spanish curriculum is to develop Wisdom, Compassion and Strength by inspiring our children to learn a language in our increasingly global and connected world.

Wisdom- Our Spanish curriculum fulfils, and goes deeper than, the requirements of the National Curriculum, fostering pupils’ curiosity and deepening their understanding of the world. Our curriculum enables children to understand and respond to speakers, both in speech and in writing. Opportunities are provided for children to communicate for practical purposes as our children travel widely. Other languages are available for the children to learn, including Mandarin. 

Compassion- Our Spanish curriculum celebrates differences and allows children to connect with those who speak a different language. Children practise new skills and celebrate talents not necessarily observed in the wider curriculum. 

Strength- Our Spanish curriculum builds the basis of life-long skills in developing language skills. It develops resilience in a welcoming environment where children are able to make mistakes, try again and practise new languages together. In today’s world, speaking more than one language allows for wider work opportunities and our children are able to begin this journey and become leaders of the future. 

Implementation

To ensure high standards of teaching and learning in Spanish, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout Key Stage 2. Spanish is taught through discrete lessons using the Language Angels scheme. The Spanish curriculum at Wanstead Church School is based upon the 2014 Primary National Curriculum in England, which provides a broad framework and outlines the knowledge and skills taught.

When teaching Spanish, teachers consider the children’s interests and real-life experiences to ensure their learning is engaging, broad and balanced and build upon the scheme provided using games, individual tasks and oracy and listening practice. A variety of teaching approaches are used including repetition, whole class chanting, discussion-based learning, worksheet-based tasks and sessions using technology.

In Spanish, skills in speaking, reading and writing, listening and grammar in another language are developed through a multi-sensory approach such as rhymes, songs, stories and repetition. Spanish lessons are taught once a week, for 45 minutes, with each half term covering one unit. Sometimes, the teacher may group lessons together to deepen the experience for the children e.g. having a Spanish focused day or events. The focus of the lessons is for the children to become confident in their oracy of the subject, although learning is sometimes recorded in the children’s books.

Impact

We measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods:

● Observing children speaking and listening in another language, through learning walks

● Interviewing the children about their learning (child voice)

● Observation of Spanish lessons.