Woodfield Primary SchoolOur Curriculum
Our Curriculum
At Woodfield, we define ‘curriculum’ as the totality of a child’s experience during their time at our school. We aim to ensure that all children are ready to transition to the next phase of their education with not only the right knowledge but also the right skills.
As a result of our recent Appreciative Enquiry, we have created a curriculum with our whole community in mind.
Please click on the image below to view our Curriculum Map
Please click on the image below to view our Curriculum Aims
Please click on the image below to view our Curriculum Intent
Please click on the image below to view our Curriculum Model
Please click on the image below to view our Early Years Foundation Stage approach.
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[SUBJECT PROGRESSION DOCUMENTS- COMING SOON]
Please click on the images below to access our phase pages and our medium term planning.
Experiences, Opportunities, Visits and Visitors
One of our key teaching strategies, is to provide our children with concrete, engaging, first-hand experiences both in and out of school to supplement learning in the classroom. See below for some of our experiences so far and those we have planned for the future.
[WIDER OPS FROM REPORTS]
[VISIT OVERVIEW]
Curriculum Leadership
At Woodfield, we believe that strong subject leadership underpins curriculum development. As a school, we have a strong Curriculum Team who provide structure, professional development and peer challenge in a supportive manner to all subject leaders. The group discuss action plans, priorities, monitoring and have direct involvement with the curriculum budget. As a group, monitoring and evaluation is shared alongside pupil and wider stakeholder voice. This allows the team to evaluate strengths and areas for development in order to move their subjects forward. The Curriculum Team also provides excellent support to Early Career Teachers who are leading subjects for the first time.
[SUBJECT LEADERSHIP 2020/21]
Assessment
Purposeful and meaningful assessments support teachers in identifying gaps in learning across the whole curriculum.
In the core subjects, Reading, Writing and Mathematics, a wide range of evidence is used to inform a teacher assessment at three key points in the year. In the foundation subjects, subject leaders have crafted assessments for teachers to complete alongside low-stakes testing. Furthermore, to ensure there is clear progression in knowledge, subject leaders have produced knowledge organisers for their subjects which contain the piece of learning for that subject within a particular year group.
For more information on our assessment systems, see our dedicated assessment page.
Curriculum Statements
Early Reading
‘The more that you read, the more you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you will go’. Dr Seuss.
The Government strongly recommend the use of synthetic phonics when teaching early reading skills to children. Synthetic phonics is simply the ability to convert a letter or letter group into sounds that are then blended together into a word.
At Woodfield Primary School, we are using the Read Write Inc (RWI) programme to get children off to a flying start with their literacy. RWI is a method of learning based upon letter sounds and phonics, and we use it to aid children in their reading and writing.
Reading opens the door to learning. A child who reads a lot will become a good reader. A good reader will be able to read more challenging material. A child who can read more challenging material is a child who will learn.
Using RWI, the children learn to read effortlessly so they can put all their energy into comprehending what they read. It also allows them to spell effortlessly so they can put all their energy into composing what they write.
The children are assessed regularly and grouped according to their ability. They will work with a RWI trained teacher or teaching assistant. In addition to the RWI, children will also be working on writing skills in their classes with their own teacher.
English
At Woodfield Primary School we recognise the crucial importance of studying the English language. We want pupils to leave our school as independent learners who are confident in all strands of learning.
We strive for them to have the ability to speak fluently and write legibly, with the appropriate use of Standard English, in order to communicate their thoughts and ideas succinctly. We also wish to foster an enjoyment of reading and to widen their repertoire of reading materials, including non-fiction, poetry as well a range of fiction, including examples from our literary heritage. We believe that this will help our children to deal more successfully with other curriculum subjects, while enriching their lives beyond school. The teaching and learning of language skills are, therefore, given a high priority in our curriculum.
We understand that despite new forms of oral and visual communication, the written word is more important than ever in economic and social interaction. As the world becomes more complex, we need to equip our children to be able to use reading and writing effectively to thrive in their daily lives. Reading literacy is needed to function well in adult life, whether in fulfilling personal goals, progressing in the labour market or participating more widely in society. Pupils who enter adult life with low reading skills have fewer life chances and we must do our utmost to eliminate this from our children’s futures.
Please see our English page for more information
Mathematics
At Woodfield, we have adopted a mastery approach to the teaching and learning of mathematics. Fundamentally, this rests on the belief that all children can – and, indeed, must – be successful in the study of mathematics. At Woodfield, we do not accept that ‘some people cannot do maths’ or that prior attainment should limit what a child is capable of learning. Mathematics is for everyone at Woodfield.
We plan our learning by designing coherent extended units of work in the medium term which take into account the relevant mathematical progression. This allows our children to master the area of mathematics being studied before moving on to new learning. To support us in our long and
medium term planning, we currently use a range of nationally recognised support providers including: Mathematics Mastery, White Rose Maths and NCETM.
Measurement, Geometry and Statistics are taught through topic wherever possible, providing children with engaging stimuli for their maths, and showing them the mathematical links to the real world.
At Woodfield, we believe that when it comes to times tables, speed AND accuracy are important – the more facts children remember, the easier it is for them to do harder calculations. Times Table Rock Stars is a fun and challenging programme designed to help pupils master the times tables. To be a Times Table Rock Star you need to answer any multiplication fact up to 12×12 in less than 3 seconds!
Please see our Maths page for more information.
Science
Here at Woodfield Primary School, it is our intent that all pupils become curious, investigative scientists, who have a strong understanding of the uses and implications of Science in today’s world and the future.
From EYFS to Year 6, we hope to develop a sense of excitement in our children, nurture their innate curiosity and encourage them to have respect for living organisms and the physical environment. Teachers ensure that all pupils are exposed to quality first teaching and learning experiences, through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics and children acquire the key knowledge needed from each unit taught, across each year group. Science sessions are cross-curricular and links to embed previous learning and deepen understanding are planned in to strengthen the long-term memory.
Throughout their time at Woodfield, children will develop fundamental, transferable skills such as problem-solving, reasoning and enquiry skills, which are then used in other areas across the curriculum. Furthermore, our Science curriculum embeds Working Scientifically skills into lessons to ensure that these skills are being progressively built upon throughout the children’s school career and can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave and analyse causes. Children are fully immersed in subject specific vocabulary and are encouraged to use this when working collaboratively and communicating ideas.
Humanities
Geography and History are two strands of a curriculum that are tailored to our children’s interests and what we believe will make them successful global citizens. We aim to give children an enthusiasm for these subjects which they will carry through their whole lives. Skills in both History and Geography are taught progressively across the school, within engaging contexts, this allows them to build on previous learning making connections at a local, national and global level across all areas of the curriculum. Both subjects are supported by quality visits and wider opportunities which incorporates the school’s key values and key drivers.
In Geography, pupils develop their knowledge of people and places to understand the physical, social and economic forces which shape those places and the lifestyles of the people who live there. We study local areas/issues and extend these studies into the wider world. The children learn to use maps to locate cities, countries, mountain ranges, rivers, seas and oceans. They use atlases, photographs and the internet to explore the environment and economics of those countries which they study. They then use the skills they have developed in literacy, numeracy and ICT to report and record their findings.
In History, pupils will think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement. They are taught about changes within living memory and about events beyond living memory that are significant. Pupils are also taught about the lives of individuals who have contributed to national and international achievements and about historical events looking in
depth at themes that are as relevant to our children now as they were to the people of early civilizations.
Art and Design
At Woodfield Primary we deliver a high-quality art and design curriculum which will engage, inspire and challenge pupils; equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. As pupils progress through school, they should be able to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of art and design.
We aim to provide pupils with the opportunity to produce creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences so they will become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques. Pupils will have the opportunity to evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft and design. And will learn about great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms.
Design and Technology
Currently being updated
Music
Currently being updated
Religious Education (RE)
Currently being updated
Physical Education (PE)
PE plays an important role in a child’s development; physically, socially, emotionally and mentally. At Woodfield Primary School, we deliver broad and balanced PE provision that explores all aspects of the PE National Curriculum and wider opportunities to create a holistic experience of physical activity.
Our curriculum is tailored to our pupils to encompass all the above development areas. We utilise a range of delivery styles to teach children the fundamental skills (agility, balance and coordination), used in isolation and in combination, through a range of competitive sports and other physically-demanding activities. Through a consistent approach across all year groups, skill progression can be observed in each activity as children become increasingly confident and competent. By spiralling back to each sport, children build on their prior learning and develop how to master and use skills in different ways and link them to make actions and sequences of movement.
Your child will receive 2 hours of PE a week in line with government advice. One of these lessons will cover a range of competitive sports through Striking and Fielding, Net and Wall and Invasion games. The second lesson of the week will further encourage children to enjoy communicating and collaborating whilst exploring their creativeness through Dance, Gymnastics, Outdoor Adventurous Activities and Athletics. Commando Joe and other schemes of work which link to PSHE and wellbeing are also be taught alongside the PE curriculum to support our programme of character education and encourage children to lead active, healthy lives.
The main aim of our PE Curriculum is to inspire children to be physically confident in their abilities in order to then challenge themselves to participate in competitive situations and out-do their personal bests.
PSHE
At Woodfield Primary School, we deliver a scheme of work known as ‘Jigsaw’ which brings together Personal, Social, Health and Economic education, emotional literacy, social skills and spiritual development in a lesson-a-week programme.
Designed as a whole school approach, Jigsaw provides a comprehensive scheme of learning for Foundation Stage to Year 6.
Jigsaw consists of 6 Puzzles (half-term units of work) containing 6 Pieces (lessons). Each Piece has 2 Learning Intentions. One is based on specific PSHE learning (covering the non-statutory national framework for PSHE Education as well as the statutory Relationship and Sex Education framework, but enhanced to address Woodfield’s children’s needs today); and the other is based on emotional literacy and social skills (covering the SEAL learning intentions but also enhanced). These enhancements mean that our PSHE curriculum is relevant to our children, living in today’s world as it helps them understand and be equipped to cope with modern issues such as body image, cyber and homophobic bullying and internet safety.
At Woodfield Primary School, our PSHE programme offers many opportunities for spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, as well as contributing significantly to all strands of the British Values agenda. SMSC is interwoven through lessons as well as through wider opportunities across each year group.
Through our PSHE curriculum, we aim to help children know and value who they really are and how they relate to other people in this ever-changing world. Our PSHE lessons raise children’s self-esteem and resilience, whilst building skills essential for life and relationships.
Modern Foreign Languages (MFL
Learning a foreign language is liberating and provides an opening to other cultures. Here at Woodfield Primary, we use stories, songs, poems and games to help us learn how to speak French. Oui! Français! We follow a structured scheme of work which is based on real life communication situations using role play and lots of talking. We count, greet each other, give and ask our names and ages before moving on to colours, foods, weather and much more. Alongside the language aspect, we also delve into the French way of life and begin to understand and accept customs and traditions, different to our own.
Computing
Computing at Woodfield Primary School will ensure that by the time children leave at the end of Key Stage 2, they will be able to safely and responsibly work with a range of digital technology-based software and hardware to see the impact that technology has on our lives and the wider society. The children will progress through our Computing curriculum, developing skills in three key areas: information technology, digital literacy and computer science. At the core of all of this knowledge, is progression in the children’s ability to problem solve and apply logical reasoning. Our children take part in learning with safe, real-life application processes so that they understand and experience first-hand the artificial and digital systems that are used, expressing their digital literacy through the use of ICT.
E-Safety
E-safety is a principal theme that is embedded throughout our curriculum using the Gooseberry Planet platform, delivering quality provision which ensures the children understand key terminology and become increasingly aware of the benefits and consequences of their interactions with technology and the wider world. Our curriculum makes direct links with our SMSC scheme (Jigsaw), the Prevent agenda and the promotion of British Values in school. Woodfield Primary School recognises that technology plays an integral part of our children’s lives and their future, so we equip children with the skills, knowledge and attitudes that will allow them to use such exciting advances
in technology in a safe, secure and respectful manner. Ultimately, the children of Woodfield Primary School will be knowledgeable and have the skill set to be safe members of the digital world.
Thrive
At Woodfield Primary School, we use a whole school approach called ‘Thrive’. Thrive supports children with their emotional health, well-being and social skills, all of which are needed for learning to take place. Thrive is an approach to working with all children. It is based on neurological evidence which addresses brain development so that all children learn to regulate their emotional responses, develop resilience and manage disappointment and frustration.
Children access a ‘Thrive Curriculum’ through whole class teaching inputs, and small group inputs/ 1:1 thrive sessions if appropriate. Whole class Thrive sessions take place at least 3 times a week and are reviewed on a regular basis. Thrive uses relational, play and arts based activities and strategies in order to support children with their emotional and social development relevant to their age.
Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development and the Fundamental British Values
Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development along with the Fundamental British Values are embedded in all aspects of the curriculum at Woodfield Primary School, amongst all age groups. Class teachers track coverage on a half term basis, highlighting key teaching moments directly relating to Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development. This also includes assemblies, trips and whole school events.
For more information regarding SMSC and the Fundamental British Values at Woodfield Primary School, please see the ‘British Values and SMSC’ on the ‘Information’ tab.