Mrs N Gibson - Head of Department and Head of French
Mr I Nicholls- Head of German
Mrs C Mitchell - Head of Spanish
Mrs E Laferton
Miss D J Wallis
Mrs J Duffield
Mr J Wynn

The department also employs native speakers in all three languages to work with Years 12 and 13.

The department is committed to offering an interesting and relevant language learning programme for all pupils and to obtaining the best from those pupils, at whatever level and whatever their abilities.

All members of the department teach at least two languages and all teach or have taught throughout the age range in the Senior School. Mrs Exley is in charge of languages in the Junior School.

French, German and Spanish are taught from Year 5 (Junior School) through to Advanced Level. All linguists sit for AQA at GCSE and Advanced Level.

A refurbished section of the school was opened as the Modern Languages Centre in April 1994, bringing all Senior School members of the department under one roof. All rooms in the Modern Languages Centre are equipped with interactive white boards and CD/DVD players. Live television broadcasts in the target languages can be accessed in all rooms in the Modern Languages Centre. The department subscribes to newspapers and magazines, including Authentik, in all target languages.

In September 2002 a 28-station, state of the art, multi-media Tandberg language laboratory was installed, very significantly enhancing language learning in all disciplines. Much use is made of the internet for language learning and for accessing up-to-the minute background information from newspaper, radio and television-station websites. The language laboratory boasts a considerable library of digitised material in the three target languages.

The department has organised a large number of tours to countries where the target languages are spoken and promotes individual exchanges with French, German and Spanish students. We have had students on work experience programmes in France, Germany and Spain. Trips to Paris and Berlin have also been organised.

The department has a high profile in the school and we are particularly proud of the fact that languages and courses combining languages with law, business studies, management sciences and medicine are a very popular choice with university applicants from Hymers.

N Gibson