Spanish at Leyland Methodist Schools

Intent

At Leyland Methodist Schools, we are committed to providing a literacy-rich, inclusive and engaging languages curriculum that inspires curiosity about the world and develops confident communicators. Through the teaching of Spanish across Key Stage 2, we aim to foster a love of language learning while embedding our Christian values of love, serve, celebrate together.

Our Spanish curriculum is designed to be broad, balanced and ambitious, enabling all pupils to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to communicate effectively in another language. Learning is carefully sequenced so that children build progressively on prior knowledge, allowing them to deepen understanding and remember more over time through meaningful and memorable experiences.

In line with the National Curriculum Programme of Study for Languages, our Spanish curriculum aims to ensure that pupils:

• Understand and respond to spoken and written language
• Speak with increasing confidence, fluency and accuracy
• Read and write for a range of purposes using a growing bank of vocabulary and grammatical structures
• Develop an appreciation of authentic language, culture and traditions

Our curriculum also aligns with the Epworth Infinite Eight Strategy, recognising that language learning extends beyond vocabulary and grammar. Through Spanish, pupils are encouraged to:

• Walk a While in Someone’s Shoes by exploring Spanish-speaking cultures and traditions
• Be a Culture Collector through exposure to stories, songs, festivals and daily life in other countries
• Be Inspired to Aspire by developing confidence to communicate with a global audience
• Be Part of a Top Team through collaborative speaking, listening and performance activities

By the end of Key Stage 2, our intent is for pupils to be confident, motivated and curious language learners, well prepared for the next stage of their education.

Implementation

Spanish is taught to all pupils in Key Stage 2 using the Language Angels Scheme of Work, which fully meets the requirements of the DfE Languages Programme of Study for Key Stage 2. This whole-school approach ensures progression, consistency and high-quality language provision for all learners.

Pupils receive a minimum of 30 minutes of discrete Spanish teaching each week, delivered in a whole-class setting by the class teacher.

The Language Angels scheme supports the development of the five key language skills:

• Speaking
• Listening
• Reading
• Writing
• Grammar

Lessons are carefully structured, engaging and interactive, incorporating a range of teaching strategies including:

• Songs, rhymes and raps to develop phonics and pronunciation
• Interactive games and digital resources
• Speaking and listening activities to promote confidence and fluency
• Differentiated reading and writing tasks
• Grammar-focused activities embedded within meaningful contexts

Learning is progressively sequenced across KS2, beginning with phonics and simple vocabulary in Year 3 and building towards sentence structure, grammatical understanding and extended spoken and written language by Year 6. Units taught reflect a balance of core language learning and cross-curricular themes, allowing pupils to revisit and apply language in different contexts.

The Spanish curriculum is fully inclusive. All pupils, including those with SEND, are supported through task variation, adult support and differentiated resources provided by Language Angels. Visual prompts, repetition and oral rehearsal ensure all learners can access and succeed in language learning.

Assessment is an integral part of our implementation. Teachers use:

• Ongoing formative assessment during lessons
• Language Angels “I can do…” self and peer assessment grids
• End-of-unit skills-based assessments linked directly to the 12 National Curriculum attainment targets

Spanish learning is celebrated through classroom displays, assemblies and opportunities for pupils to present their learning orally. Where appropriate, Spanish is also used to support cross-curricular learning, strengthening links across the wider curriculum.

Impact

Our Spanish curriculum ensures that pupils leave Leyland Methodist Schools with the skills, knowledge and confidence to communicate in another language and a positive attitude towards language learning.

Through consistent exposure to high-quality teaching and the structured progression of the Language Angels scheme, pupils make strong progress in all five key language skills. By the end of Key Stage 2, children are able to:

• Listen attentively and respond with understanding
• Speak in sentences using familiar vocabulary and structures
• Read and understand words, phrases and simple texts
• Write short passages and adapt language to express ideas
• Demonstrate an understanding of basic Spanish grammar

Participation in culturally rich language learning supports pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, helping them to appreciate diversity, develop empathy and recognise their place within a global community.

The impact of our Spanish curriculum is reflected in pupils who are enthusiastic, resilient and motivated learners, equipped with a solid foundation for further language study. Through the integration of the Infinite Eight Strategy, children develop confidence, cultural awareness and curiosity — preparing them not only for secondary education, but for life in an increasingly interconnected world.