Specialist Language status was achieved in April 2009 following six months of consultation and planning. The increased funding enabled employment of an additional full time member of the teaching staff for French and Spanish and a part time member of staff to assist in the teaching of Latin.

One major impact as a result of this additional staffing has been the choice of languages on entry in Year 9. All students have two periods of a first language, French, which has five sets or Spanish which has one set. A further three periods of languages is taken in one of Latin, Spanish or German.  Year 10 and 11 students may study French, German, Spanish or Latin at GCSE level depending on their Year 9 course of study and prior experience. Everyone must study at least one modern foreign language.

Specialist funding has enabled the department to provide enrichment through three French plays. Last term year 9 together with students from Bodiam Manor School, Benenden Girls Schools and DCPS watched a play entitled ‘Hors Piste’. There was much audience participation  and a fun linguistic time was had by all. On 11th February year 9 will see Les Trois Mousquetaires, together with students from Angley School, DCPS and St Ronans. Following this on 10th March, years 10 to 13 will see Romeo et Juliette Revisite and hopefully some other local schools will accept our invitation to join us.

 A new satellite dish is being purchased to allow French and German television news and programmes to be viewed and recorded and the department are evaluating an on-line system for language learning which will be purchased in the Spring. These will benefit students at all levels.

AS and A level students will be taking part in an exchange with St Jean de Luz school during the Spring term and they enjoyed a day at Lycee L’Escaut with the year 13 Chemists last term. Year 9 will have an exchange with a Lille school in the summer term and GCSE students have an internet and e-mail link with a school in Provence.

Primary School support

A lot of support has been given to primary schools who are now expected to teach a modern foreign language. The twelve schools in our partnership all teach French and our focus has been in support of this. In the summer term we ran five days of up-skilling to refresh teachers and teaching assistants.
Year 6 students from six different schools enjoyed a language day last term. They experienced different subjects such as Food Technology, Maths, Physics and Chemistry taught in languages such as Italian, French, German and Spanish. This was a very popular day enjoyed by all. This term support in the schools continues together with another five day up-skilling course and a curriculum planning day in the summer term.

Community Courses

 Conversational Spanish in conjunction with Kent Adult Education continues on a Thursday evening.

New Courses

French and German classes start soon!  If you would like to enrol please contact Mrs T Usher at the school, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 French:  Monday evenings starting from 18th January for 10 weeks. 18.30-19.30 - complete beginners, 19.30 - 20.10 post beginners. Cost - £60 for 10 lessons

Beginners German: Tuesday evenings starting from 19th January for 8 weeks,  19.30 -20.30.  Cost £50 for 8 lessons.

These two courses are running alongside our German Conversation course and Spanish conversation which is in conjunction with Kent Adult Education.