Through learning Spanish, you will broaden and support your knowledge of modern foreign languages and, by successfully completing an accelerated language course, you will also show that you are a very competent language learner. This will be particularly relevant if you are contemplating starting a language at university that you have not studied at school. Spanish is the second most widely spoken language in the world and is therefore an extremely useful language, both in enhancing your employment prospects and in allowing you to make the most of your trips and visits to Spanish speaking countries.
GCSE
In Key Stage 4, GCSE Spanish 9-1 follows the Edexcel specification. This is an accelerated course completed in just under two years. Students start the course at the beginning of Year 10 with no requirement of previous knowledge of the language. They take the GCSE examination at the end of Year 11, achieving outstanding results.
A Level
In the Sixth Form, Spanish is offered as an A Level course and follows the Edexcel specification too. Students take the A Level examination at the end of the second year. This course is open to students with a sound knowledge of the language at GCSE level and the uptake continues to be excellent. Consequently, the students are encouraged to exploit their previous experience of language learning and their understanding of Spanish to further develop their learning of Spanish language and culture. Unlike the GCSE course, the content of the course is very current and, as such, students gain a deep understanding of modern Spanish history, society and culture. Spanish A Level gives students to opportunity to explore the Spanish speaking world more widely and to develop their research skills as they complete the Independent Research Project. The results in this A Level course are excellent and indeed many students continue with their studies of the language at university.
Extra-curricular activities
The department is busy with extra-curricular activities run at lunchtimes. The Spanish Prefects have the opportunity to run a Spanish Club for younger years as well as support other younger students in their language learning. Teachers also deliver A Level Spanish support sessions and Oxbridge Preparation sessions. Trips to the Cervantes Theatre in London are very much an enriching experience and very popular with A level students of Spanish.
