GCSE

[Parentofachild]

The child moved to new school and as a requirement supposed to learn additional language for GCSE and at the beginning had been placed to German language which the child had been studied before but after moved to Spanish which child never learned without even asking parent or child. What we can do to force school move the child back (preferably) or get additional support. Any advice much appreciated.

Speak to them, and explain why.

Yes just contact the school and explain and ask for the child to be moved back to German.

How old is the child? If they have started GCSE (ie year 10) then picking up a totally new MFL is a bit of an ask.

Will try via email make an appointment. Can you advice who is better to speak to in the school. Is it better to go the deputy headteacher or head of the year who is making the schedule?

What year group?

Are the other children in this class also starting from scratch (my DD did Spanish from scratch in y10, but that was 10+ years ago before spec changes) or if not how long have they been learning for already?

Start with head of year and copy head of languages if you know email address.

Head of Year - might be called Student Manager these days.

Year 10. It is just because most children chose German but Spanish didn’t choose many and the language is mandatory. Because child is new to the school they might give priority to ones who already been there.

All communication about place offer was going with deputy of head teacher before summer holidays. We told her even about language want to study and at first place my daughter had been placed for German lesson and even teacher asked students to buy dictionary and we even did that but after weekend everything was changed.

Do include the German teacher in the email, in case they had input about the move? The level your DC studied German and books used previously should also be included in the email.

I actually think it’s a good opportunity to try a new language and Spanish is fairly easy to get into. The more languages you can get by in the more fun holidays you can have!

My sister did Spanish in two years and got A*!

Not on the current spec then if she got A star. The new spec requires a higher level of on-the-spot knowledge IMHO (there is no controlled assessment any more – when there was (letter grades) it could be revised and learned by heart) and thus it might now be harder to do if picking up from scratch.

Spoke today with school. They said as you learned it only on summer it is not a big deal and she can learn it easily for the next two years.
Can you suggest where to learn Spanish - resources, tutors (for German we used preply)? Thanks

Please advise what did you use to learn it! Thanks

@ParentofachildI assume AQA but check; there is a textbook which might be worth getting. Make sure you get the latest spec as it is updated for summer 2026.

Aldo suggest CGP guides and workbook - there is one for KS3 to start off and also a GCSE one.

A tutor would be good too. My subject is MFL but not Spanish unfortunately. A good option might be an A level or uni student but make sure they are up to date with the newest spec.

Thank you