Key Stage 3 & Key Stage 4
Key Stage 3
In the spirit of the New Northern Ireland Curriculum pupils may study either French or Spanish at Key Stage 3 as the department endeavours to best meet each pupil’s individual needs. A given group may change to the other language, usually in year 10, if it is felt that the students have already reached their plateau in the original language. From the academic year 2008 to 2009 it was decided to no longer pursue formal external examinations as it was felt that the very prescriptive nature of the syllabi did not reflect the freedom and positive educational experience aspired to in recent educational change.
Key Stage 4
At Key Stage 4, pupils may choose to continue with French or Spanish. Those who continue with their language studies have two options – Graded Objectives Level 4 and GCSE (AQA) Foundation/Higher Tier or Modular GCSE French or Spanish consisting of four modules over four years.