Curriculum Rationale and Vision

At Woodlands Primary Academy, our children 'Enjoy, Thrive and Aspire'. Through our whole school approach, all children are encouraged to fulfil their potential, regardless of economic status, background or need. Our carefully designed curriculum exposes children to enriching experiences, immersing them in progressive knowledge and skills; equipping them with personal characteristics required to succeed in life.

Curriculum Intent 

At Woodlands, our curriculum is underpinned by four specific drivers;

First and foremost, children at Woodlands are safe. By placing high value on a curriculum that is designed to ensure children have the skills and knowledge needed to maintain positive wellbeing, we ensure that our children learn to use their voices to effectively challenge discrimination and promote diversity. 

We are a gold accredited RRS school and as such, our curriculum is built upon foundations driven by Articles within the United Nations Children’s Rights Charter (UNCRC).

By applying both a Rights Respecting philosophy and placing high value on the Mental Health and Wellbeing threads within our curriculum, we prepare our children to become active citizens who make positive contributions to the local and wider community. 

In line with our Academy Aims, we have developed a curriculum that provides opportunity for all children, regardless of economic status or additional need, to make good progress because they are exceptionally well prepared for the next stage in their education. The curriculum we have developed provides learning, opportunities and experiences that equalize the life chances of our children. As a wholly inclusive school, our curriculum is designed to meet the needs of all learners as stated in the Equality Act 2010 and the Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014.

An emphasis on the development of basic skills in communication, literacy and numeracy at all stages is central in the teaching of all subjects at Woodlands. This ensures we can effectively ‘catch up’ children quickly and address the achievement deficit which remains evident on entry to school for the majority of our learners. By securing success in the core subjects, access to the wider curriculum is enhanced and outcomes for children are improved. 

Curriculum Implementation

At Woodlands Primary Academy, there is a Pupil Admissions Number (PAN) of 45.  When children enter Year 1, they are placed in either a pure year group class or a mixed age class, with children from Year 2.  This structure is then continued as the children move through the Academy, with mixed classes in KS1, LKS2 and UKS2. Class profiles are decided via a range of factors including child voice and peer relationships. There are no streamed classes at Woodlands.

Core subjects and PSHCE are taught in pure age groups across the Academy. This ensures that all children are taught objectives that are pertinent to the age of the children, allowing for sequencing and progression of knowledge to become secure.

Foundation subjects are taught in classes. Expectations from the National Curriculum are split into Cycle A or Cycle B termly topics and are taught over a 2-year cycle allowing for the knowledge, skills and vocabulary to be taught progressively, revisited and embedded across the phase. Adaptations are made to the curriculum to meet the needs of individuals in the class allowing for children to be challenged appropriately.

More Information 

Subject leaders have designed a coverage overview and corresponding unit plans which sets out expectations within their curriculum subject across the Academy. These can be found within specific subject pages via the links on the right hand side of this page. 

You are welcome to contact us in school to discuss our curriculum offer with either the Principal, Mrs Sharpe, or Curriculum Lead, Miss Humble. Please speak to the main office to make an appointment