In line with the ethos of our School, we put Modern Languages at the heart of our academic curriculum, and it is one of our core subjects.
German
German is the principal foreign language to be taught as it supports our musical education directly. Pupils who choose to continue their studies in a German-speaking college, conservatoire or university are required to have a B1 or B2 certificate of proficiency. Older pupils therefore prepare for the Goethe Institut curriculum as well as A level (if required), and it is our objective to teach pupils up to this level, thus widening their options when they move on to higher education.
Consequently, most pupils learn German and we offer beginner classes for new pupils who have no prior knowledge of German. Junior groups follow initiation classes, while more senior groups prepare for GCSE German. All pupils have 3 lessons of German per week. All pupils have the choice to continue studying German at A level.
Although Goethe Institut examinations have a slightly different scope compared to GCSE or A level examinations, it is always possible for pupils to combine both.
Success rates for public exams as well as Goethe Institut exams in German are high.
Other Languages
Native speakers can have lessons in French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, and Turkish, leading to GCSEs and A Levels in those subjects. For many pupils an A Level in one of these languages is a convenient way of fulfilling the academic requirements necessary to go to a conservatoire in the UK, such as The Royal College of Music.