Languages

St Mary’s is a school that celebrates languages. We have children from a variety of backgrounds for whom English is an Additional Language (typically over 35 languages spoken) and we celebrate and take great interest in that – one of the many benefits from living in London. Children learn French at St Mary’s. In Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, they are exposed to the French language regularly through singing songs, French signs around school and a whole school French Day. Formal lessons begin in Year 3, in line with National Curriculum expectations. Children progress from learning simple phrases and recording simple words in Year 3 to having simple conversations, writing sentences and reading more confidently by the end of Year 6. More than anything, we aim to instil a love and enthusiasm for languages.

There are also language clubs allowing languages to be practised and enjoyed across the school, available to some of our younger children too.