Curriculum Statement for Spanish
Our teaching of the Spanish curriculum is planned as a foundation for later language learning. It introduces basic concepts of how Spanish works in an age-appropriate way with the aim of teaching a small amount well. Lessons are delivered on seeing real children in the small towns of Calahorra and Najera, with glimpses of other places to show the diversity of Spain. This opens up the children’s knowledge of other cultures, how others live and deepens their understanding of the world rather than just the rules of grammar and vocabulary lists.
Key Stage Two
In Key Stage 2 children are taught Spanish in Years 3 – 6. The National Curriculum for languages aims to ensure that all children:
- Understand and respond to spoken and written language from a variety of authentic sources.
- Speak with increasing confidence, fluency and spontaneity, finding ways of communicating what they want to say including through discussion and asking questions, and continually improving the accuracy of their pronunciation and intonation.
- Can write at varying length, for different purposes and audiences, using the variety of grammatical structures they have learnt.
- Discover and develop an appreciation of a range of writing and language studies.
Our Scheme of work is based on the two Early Start Languages series Tu Y Yo for Years 3 and 4 and Mi Colegio y Ciudad for Years 5 and 6. This is a scheme of learning which supports non-specialist teachers. The children hear the Spanish being spoken first to encourage better pronunciation. This provides a model for the pupils of seeing and listening to native speakers using the language in context, rather than reading from a textbook. The context is easily adapted to our children; for example incorporating global ideas like football or adapting it to the child themselves and their families. We hope for those children fortunate enough to visit Spanish speaking countries on holiday that they will have the confidence to try their linguistic skills abroad and then bring these experiences back to school to share with others.
We aim for our children to leave Lancaster Lane with a solid foundation and love of the Spanish language. This can be developed further in Key Stage 3, where our local high schools continue this subject.
Inclusion within Spanish
In line with our Teaching and Learning Policy, teachers use adaptive teaching strategies to provide appropriate support and challenge while maintaining high expectations for all learners. In accordance with NASEN guidance, barriers to learning are identified and reduced through carefully planned adaptions, flexible teaching approaches and the provision of appropriate support. Adaptions may include pre-teaching vocabulary, replaying Spanish words from the Spanish videos to hear and rehearse spoken phrases at the required pace, learning songs, using visual aids, use of puppets. The focus is on games and fun help to make learning a language an enjoyable experience. This approach promotes inclusion and builds confidence.
Assessment
All Spanish units begin with a pre-unit assessment looking at words and phrases used in English so links can be made to the Spanish words and phrases. Throughout the topics, teachers focus predominantly on the speaking and listening element of learning a language but also make assessments on the understanding, reading and writing of those words and phrases. In addition to this, pupils complete a self-assessment of the topic at the end of each half term.
Ongoing formative assessment is an integral part of Spanish teaching and learning. Teachers regularly assess pupils’ understanding throughout lessons using our teaching and learning policy strategies.
At the end of each unit, teachers make a judgement against age-related expectations, assessing pupils as
- Working Towards Age-Related Expectations (WT)
- Working At Age-Related Expectations (ARE)
- Working Above Age-Related Expectations (MA)
An overall summative judgment for Spanish is decided upon using the termly assessments from all units taught during the academic year. Assessment information is discussed by teachers, school leaders and the subject leader to monitor attainment.
Enrichment Opportunities within School
Using inspiration from the videos on the Early Start Spanish series, we perform some of the activities we observe, such as the games seen played in the Spanish schools. We have intentionally planned many speaking opportunities into the lesson sequences so that the key skills of speaking and listening remain the focus when learning a new language and boost children’s confidence whilst they acquire language skills.
Last reviewed: June 2026
Subject leader: Becky Parkin
The subject leader can be contacted via the school office. Tel: 01772 433641