Spanish
Weekly Spanish lessons are taught to all children in years 3 to 6. The scheme of work has been developed in partnership with other Hackney schools.
At Sir Thomas Abney primary school we understand how the learning of a further foreign language, in our case Spanish, is an invaluable opportunity to celebrate all cultures and languages while enhancing the children’s broader literacy and oracy skills.
Identifying the differences and similarities between Spanish and English can be used to extend their knowledge of how language works and strengthen their view that their own varied languages and cultures are in fact more interconnected than not.
We aim to provide lessons in which their confidence can be nurtured while deepening their curiosity and understanding of the world. Children will speak, read and write in Spanish and be given practical opportunities to use what they have learned. This solid foundation in language learning will be invaluable when transitioning to KS3 and beyond.
The school employs a fluent, specialist Spanish teacher who teaches all of KS2, is a key part of the HTSA Spanish planning group. He also organises an annual Spanish day trip for our school and others where the children enjoy Spanish food, a Spanish language film and meet visiting actors, writers, musicians and dancers.
Spanish actor Antonio Gil and Spanish author Lala Isla serve Tapas to the children during the 2016 Spanish Trip (Photograph: Peter Humm)