The results exceeded all expectations. After five and a half terms, all but one of the 56 in the group gained a A*-C.

These are the figures: A* 13, A 25, B15, C2.

Although the school’s Year 11 results in French and German were very good - 94 per cent achieving A*- C in German - the Year 9 pupils did even better. With GCSE French under their belt, 36 of them have now started AS French.

From the beginning, high teacher expectations fuelled pupil motivation. “The fact I was doing my GCSE did motivate and persuade me to work harder. It helped us learn a lot in a shorter time,” said one of the pupils.

They had five 60-minute lessons a fortnight, following Encore Tricolore 4 and 5, the textbooks used by Years 10 and 11.

The jump in difficulty was managed by concentrating at first on grammar. Each pupil was given a French grammar practice book with answers. To support comprehension and encourage independent learning, pupils were given course book tapes, transcripts of listening exercises and answers for self-assessment.

Best practice from the key stage 3 strategy was adopted to underpin lessons. Pupils were given the assessment criteria for the written coursework and speaking components of the Edexcel GCSE syllabus. They were therefore able to understand the rationale behind the teaching, refining their own learning to meet the targets set by teachers.

Lessons were vibrant and often fun because pupils learned French through a variety of activities such as:

* French sub-titling thanks to the donation of a DVD player and wide-screen television by Hitachi Europe

* Language games to reinforce grammar

* ICT and email exchanges

* Using individual mini-whiteboards.

One email project blossomed into an exchange visit. “I have definitely improved. I could speak some French that my partner could understand when I went on the exchange,” said the pupil involved. As this was in March, it had the maximum benefit for the speaking exams in May.

Ken Browne, head of modern foreign languages, believes this success has inspired fast track groups in other subjects. German is now also eminently “do-able”.

Parents were crucial. Parent evenings and reports emphasised what could be done at home to improve performance. Schedules of French TV programmes for schools, internet addresses and software titles were given to parents to help their children.

Now, native French speakers are teaching the Year 10 AS course in two equal classes. As an introduction, they have emphasised Francophone culture, debating skills and the ability to discuss opinions in French.

“Pupils are surprisingly confident and inspired by the topics, which suit their interests more than GCSE topics,” says Maud Kennedy, the AS French co-ordinator.

After a session with a French speaker from outside the school, 14-year-old Sophie Knighton said: “Sir, I’ve just had French AS - it’s lovely.”

The languages department has had to buy new materials for the research-based learning required by AS. A languages ICT room with internet access is about to be installed and links have been forged with Varndean Sixth Form College, which shares the campus with Dorothy Stringer.

Linda Moss, head of languages at Varndean Sixth Form, and Christine Wilson, her counterpart at Brighton and Hove Sixth Form College, are delighted at the prospect of offering Dorothy Stringer’s AS French pupils the opportunity of converting their achievements into a full A-level.

John Thorne, deputy head, curriculum, says: “The spectacular French fast-track results focus light on Dorothy Stringer’s innovative curriculum structure that gives children opportunities to break free of the ‘age prison’ which locks them into rigid phases of learning and achievement.”

Fast track languages fit into a wider pattern of achievement at Dorothy Stringer. For the past four years, pupils have been able to opt for an AS in religious studies, which has been outstandingly successful: this year five out of 20 passed with an A .

The whole of Year 8 was entered for the first module test of a part one GNVQ in ICT. Fifty-seven per cent passed and those who failed can re-sit.

As a sports college, Dorothy Stringer insists all children complete GCSE PE by the end of Year 10 so a wider variety of accreditation can be offered in Year 11. Some pupils are to embark on NVQs in leisure and tourism in conjunction with City College, Brighton’s main non sixth-form FE provider.

We’re very proud of Dorothy Stringer’s contribution to accreditation for the 14 to 18 age group.

Simon Sharron Simon Sharron is assistant head, teaching and learning, at Dorothy Stringer High School, Brighton Dorothy Stringer is planning a short conference on fast tracking. Contact Caroline NormanEmail: cln@stringer.brighton-hove.sch.uk