Head's Welcome

Head of College Welcome

Welcome to Dawlish College.

It continues to be an absolute privilege to be the Headteacher at Dawlish College – the staff and students are second to none and take all of life’s challenges in their stride. Despite current uncertainties as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, we continue to hold onto our core purpose in all that we do. Behind all of the decisions taken and measures put in place sits the balance between keeping staff and students safe whilst also providing them with a varied and exciting school experience.

Dawlish College is a vibrant and exciting place to be, where we have the highest expectations of staff and students alike and seek to provide challenge at every available opportunity. As a small school, we have a very proud record of holistic support, care and individual attention: the happiness and well-being of our students is of paramount importance and is a vital foundation for their growth and development. Our college has an atmosphere of creativity and positivity that is generated by the provision of excellent opportunities for every individual thereby maximising the outcomes and improving the life chances of the young people in our care.

As a parent myself, I understand that you want your child to be inspired, supported and challenged to be the best version of themselves within an environment that knows them and values them as an individual. Thank you for entrusting me with the care and education of your child, present or future, and I look forward to unlocking their ambitions as I get to know them and work closely with you.

S Banks

Headteacher

Modern Foreign Languages

Languages are part of the cultural richness of our society and the world we live and work in. Through studying a language students are given the chance to learn to appreciate different countries, cultures, communities and people. Our mission is to bring languages to life in a fun and inclusive environment so that they are able to communicate in another language, whether that be for future employment or leisure. Students will learn either French or Spanish and may indicate a preferred language on transition from primary school.

In both languages and throughout the year groups there are plenty of opportunities for students to experience the language and culture beyond the classroom, from visiting workshops and theatrical performances to tapas cooking. We also pride ourselves on running fantastic trips to Normandy, Paris, Madrid and Barcelona. Students are actively encouraged to engage with and make the most of these amazing experiences.

FRENCH

Year 7

Year 7 is a fast-paced year where students learn to communicate about the things that are personal to them: hobbies, birthdays, likes and dislikes. They are introduced to the building blocks of grammar that are needed in order to go onto be successful linguists. Alongside the language learning there are also opportunities to engage with elements of the French culture (usually involving crepes and croissants)!

Year 8

Students continue to build on their learning from year 7 and add in the ability to ask as well as answer questions alongside justifying, rather than just giving, their opinion. They look at formal and informal terms of address in addition to learning the future and conditional tenses.

Year 9

In year 9, students continue to strengthen their knowledge of grammar, vocabulary and culture. They are given opportunities to build their repertoires of tenses, including the perfect and imperfect tenses as well as begin to work on the future tense too. Students are then equipped with the range of knowledge needed to make an informed decision regarding their continued study of French into GCSE.

Throughout the three years the four skills of listening, reading, writing and speaking are all covered, with an element of each being explored in every lesson.

 

GCSE French: Eduqas

If you enjoy communicating with other people, finding out how language works and learning about different countries, studying GCSE French is an excellent choice. The course assesses all four skills equally and further details of the course can be found in the Guide to Options.

For more information please contact lsmith@dawlish.devon.sch.uk

SPANISH

Year 7

Year 7 is an action-packed year where students learn to communicate about the things that are personal to them: hobbies, birthdays, family relationships, likes and dislikes. They are introduced to the building blocks of grammar that are needed in order to go onto be successful linguists. Games and songs are regularly used to help students embed new language and practise in a supportive environment.

Year 8

Students continue to build on their learning from year 7 and add in the ability to ask as well as answer questions alongside justifying, rather than just giving, their opinion. They are taught to use expressions of frequency and techniques for extending their answers to include interesting structures and more than one tense. Spontaneous language use is encouraged at every opportunity.

Year 9 

Students develop and enhance their knowledge of Spanish throughout year 9, increasing the range of tenses they can communicate in and the richness of vocabulary that they are able to use when communicating. Students are given the opportunity to enrich their learning and are given the opportunity to decide if they wish to continue with GCSE Spanish.

Throughout the three years the four skills of listening, reading, writing and speaking are all covered, with an element of each being explored in every lesson.

GCSE Spanish: Eduqas

If you enjoy communicating with other people, finding out how language works and learning about different countries, studying GCSE Spanish is an excellent choice. The course assesses all four skills equally and further details of the course can be found in the Guide to Options.

For more information please contact lsmith@dawlish.devon.sch.uk

Knowledge Organisers can be found here.