Curriculum Intent

At Nottingham Academy, our Spanish curriculum is designed to engage students with topics relevant to their lives, enabling them to understand and express language across a broad spectrum of subjects. Our program emphasises the development of key language skills including speaking, listening, reading, and writing. We encourage students to share their experiences and opinions while comparing their lives to those of young people in the Spanish-speaking world.

In Year 7, students begin with foundational topics such as family, personal introductions, and descriptions of their city, using the present tense. As they progress to Year 8, students build on this knowledge by discussing their school life and holidays, incorporating the near future and preterit tenses. By Year 9, students are proficient in multiple tenses and can discuss a wider range of topics including leisure activities, building healthy habits, and school trips, preparing them for more complex topics & grammatical concepts needed at GCSE.

Our ambitious curriculum aims to equip all Key Stage 3 students with the necessary skills to successfully transition to GCSE Spanish. In Years 10 and 11, students follow the Edexcel GCSE course, covering modules on personal and social topics, health, school, and global issues. They expand their grammar knowledge with advanced tenses and structures, including the subjunctive mood, and focus on exam preparation through regular assessments and practice exams. By completing the teaching of new knowledge at the end of Year 10, we ensure that Year 11 is dedicated to thorough revision and targeted exam preparation, allowing students to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Adaptations for students with SEND needs include differentiated instruction and resources tailored to diverse learning requirements. We use visual aids, interactive activities, and technology to support understanding and engagement. Regular assessments and personalised feedback ensure all students know more, remember more, and do more. By focusing on these principles, we aim to ensure every student can excel and thrive in Spanish, gaining more knowledge, retaining it effectively, and applying it confidently.

Our ultimate goal is to inspire students to develop a lifelong appreciation for the Spanish language and culture, fostering a deep understanding and respect for the diverse Spanish-speaking world.