Pupils at a leading London girls’ school will be able to choose “Python” as a language option alongside French, German and mandarin.
The £21,000-a-year Putney High School has added the computing language to its modern foreign languages curriculum.
It means 13 and 14-year-old students can choose to learn the language of computer programming instead of Italian, Spanish or Latin.
James Mutton, deputy head of innovation and curriculum, said: “We know that learning a language brings enormous cognitive benefits and acknowledging the importance of coding languages within our language curriculum is an exciting and important addition.”
Putney High pupils must currently choose between learning French or Spanish and German or Mandarin in years seven and eight. They spend two hours on each of the two subjects per week.
In year nine they add a third language option, choosing from Italian, Spanish, Latin — and now Python.
Pupils also study Python in computer science lessons and coding clubs. Mr Mutton said: “With Python added to the modern language curriculum, they now have the possibility of deepening their understanding of this essential skill and exploring its application in a wealth of exciting careers.”
Mr Mutton said languages are gaining in popularity post-Covid because people want to travel more, and because of the increase in remote working they are able to also work abroad.
He said: “Flexible working patterns and improved digital infrastructures mean that working remotely is a serious option and many young people with the skills and desire to travel are increasingly opting to set themselves up abroad, working remotely as so-called ‘digital nomads’ or ‘techpats’. An understanding of foreign languages, including digital ones, is becoming an essential part of their toolkit.”
He added that countries such as Germany, Spain, Costa Rica and Barbados offer temporary residence permits, or “digital nomad visas”, to those wanting to work remotely.
He said: “Having the ability to ‘get by’ in a number of languages is a key skill — add to that a fluency in coding, and the world really is your oyster.”
