MfL - Spanish
(Modern Foreign Languages)
At our school, we believe learning Spanish is an important life skill. It helps pupils communicate with others and builds their understanding of different cultures. From Year 3 to Year 6, children develop confidence in speaking and understanding Spanish in a supportive and enjoyable way. We also work closely with a local secondary school, where Language Leaders visit us each term to deliver fun and engaging stand-alone Spanish lessons.
Although pupils in Key Stage 1 and the Early Years are introduced to Spanish through assemblies and a whole-school annual Spanish Day, giving them an early taste of the language, the subject is formally embedded within the curriculum at Key Stage 2. At this stage, pupils begin to develop their skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing. Learning is structured through the Language Angels programme, which provides a clear and progressive sequence, enabling pupils to build vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation systematically.
As pupils progress, they are supported in developing confidence in speaking and listening, alongside acquiring the ability to read and write simple phrases and sentences. They are encouraged to build upon prior knowledge and apply their learning in meaningful contexts.
Across the school, pupils are encouraged to practise speaking with increasing confidence, listen attentively to spoken language and explore aspects of Spanish culture through engaging and enjoyable activities. These might include activities such as role-playing in a café setting or presenting a weather forecast. You will also see children translating English into Spanish, as well Spanish into English. Cross-curricular links are made, particularly with PSHE and Geography, to enhance pupils’ understanding of cultural diversity and global awareness. Pupils also learn about the wider Spanish-speaking world, including countries in Central and South America and other Spanish-speaking communities beyond Spain itself, helping them appreciate the global reach and cultural richness of the language.
By the end of Year 6, pupils are able to communicate using simple phrases and sentences, and can understand spoken and written Spanish at an appropriate level. In their final term, every Year 6 pupil becomes a Language Ambassador for a morning, teaching pupils in Early Years and Key Stage 1 numbers and colours through games they have created themselves. This is always a highlight which the and a great opportunity for pupils to share their learning.
Spanish at our school is about more than just learning words—it opens the door to new experiences, cultures, perspectives and forms of communication. As one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, and one encountered in destinations familiar to many pupils, it offers meaningful opportunities for real-life application. Several pupils have reported successfully using their Spanish abroad, often receiving positive responses from native speakers.