The MFL department at Thomas More Catholic School is a dedicated team and we will be pleased to introduce your child to French.

The MFL team

Mrs. Tucay B.A. (Hons) M.A. P.G.C.E. is Head of Department and a French and German teacher. She also the International Co-ordinator. She is a French and German graduate.

Ms Boome B.A. (Hons) M.A. P.G.C.E. is a teacher of French. Ms. Boome is a graduate in French and Dutch.

Introducing French

At Thomas More Catholic School pupils are introduced to learning French in year 7. French is compulsory until year 9 when many pupils choose to continue French to GCSE or A Level. French forms part of the new ‘baccalaureate’ qualification and is very popular.

We are a well-equipped department with: new textbooks and homework books this year called Équipe Nouvelle, data projectors and software programmes for use in the ICT suite with headphones or at home on the internet using our Linguascope password.

We aim for pupils to reach level 5 where they can speak using 3 tenses as soon as possible. With our Assessment for Learning policy, we regularly assess how pupils are progressing. All pupils have a target for the year and a challenge target designed to stretch the more able.

We cater well for all pupils and provide differentiated work for different abilities.

We have an extensive enrichment programme. In year 7 pupils go on a daytrip to Boulogne, in year 8 pupils participate in the annual school exchange to Paris and in year 9 pupils visit the Christmas market in Lille. In year 10 our pupils take part in a European conference to be held in Denmark and France this coming year.

GCSE French

At the end of year 9 when pupils choose their options, we are pleased that French is a very popular choice. We use a brand new textbook Équipe Dynamique.

A Level French, Italian, Spanish and German

Students can choose from French, Italian, Spanish or German in our growing sixth form classes.  Attendance at a Phllip Allen conference in London to help them with coursework options is encouraged plus they have the opportunity to do work experience in Paris.

Careers

We are still in touch with many of the pupils who studied French. Their career choices include teacher, investment banker and doctor.

MFL Awards

Our department has been awarded the International School Award which recognises excellence in providing international opportunities for all pupils. In addition to this, our department has been awarded European Union funding from the Comenius programme. We can take up to 30 pupils to planning meetings in Denmark and France for FREE.

Clubs

We run an after school DVD club on Mondays, where pupils watch French films. This is a great opportunity for them to practice listening skills.

We also run an after school revision club on Tuesdays for any pupil wanting to revise grammar.

Learning Aids

Mary Glasgow magazines as well as dictionaries are available from the MFL department. We have special rates with suppliers.

We do hope you choose Thomas More Catholic School for your son or daughter.