An Overview of the WHOLE Curriculum at Woodland View

The Cultural make-up of our school community continues to become evermore diverse. Our families are interested in the beliefs, backgrounds and views, religious or not, of each other and therefore the Culture themes are vital. Our children benefit from understanding the locality in which they live and the wider world, as well as their own sense of place within it.

Technology continues to change at a rapid pace and therefore our focus on Communication enables children to discover how the current technological world we live in came to be, and what the future may hold for them. Many of our families have jobs that directly link to the content in our Communication themes therefore this learning is significant for the children and their aspirations for future employment.   

Our school community is very interested in world news and current affairs; this has a positive impact on our children’s interest and awareness in events linked to war and dispute. Therefore we believe passionately that our Conflict themes enable children to learn about the origins of conflicts, why they happen, their impact and how to avoid them. We want our children to have a positive impact on the world around them, and the learning in this theme will help them to do that.

Our children are very aware of the ever-changing condition of our planet and the significant impact climate change is having on it. Our children discuss these issues, also they are eager to find out more about how they, and future generations, can sustain the health and existence of our Earth. Our Conservation themes enable children to learn more about these issues and, hopefully, will help them grow up to have a positive impact on them. 

Additionally, we have two Connections themes where the children are encouraged to draw on their learning from across our four Cs. These themes allow children to make connections across their learning.

Classes study a new theme each half term, meaning they cover 6 themes a year. Their current theme is displayed on their classroom door so that children feel as though they are immersed in their theme on arrival. Also, they can see what all of the other classes are learning about too! Inside classrooms, theme displays capture the children’s interest by doing such things as offering key information, showcasing work and asking intriguing questions.

We know the importance of children knowing more and remembering more over time; therefore we have designed our school curriculum to ensure that key knowledge across subjects is revisited and built on over time.

Our cross curricular themes link subjects through the teaching of concepts. This means that knowledge is not just surface level; key facts and content are reinforced across subjects and lessons throughout the learning of a theme.

Our Inspire approach gives children memorable learning experiences which means they are more likely to remember what they have learnt over time. These experiences are often blogged and available for families to see on the school website. Each year group also has a performance unit where they create a performance based on what they have been learning; this is not only watched by parents but the whole school community too. We regularly create inspirational learning memories for the children with external guests and trips - capturing the children’s interest and imagination even more!

In our bespoke exercise books we display the learning journeys and key vocabulary for each theme so that teachers and children can revisit these through a term, allowing them to discuss where they have been with their learning and where it is headed next! Both our wonderfully stocked library and our classrooms have a range of fiction and non-fiction books which closely link to our themes allowing children to delve deeper in their learning.

In our Studio, our history timeline graphic spans 3 walls and incorporates the key historical events and figures taught in our themes. Alongside this, our map graphic spans 1 large wall and shows world and local maps, incorporating key geographical features and countries that are studied through our themes. Regularly revisiting these graphics allows our children to further embed key knowledge over time.

Sharing the children’s learning with our wider school community is so important; therefore we offer opportunities for parents to share in their children’s learning through our Open View session and our Achieve with Me sessions. During our Open View session (in the summer term) children show their parents the work they have done throughout the year. This enables children to revisit key learning and describe it to their parents. We give parents questions to help steer their conversations towards reviewing specific aspects of the work. Our Achieve with Me sessions are an opportunity for parents to learn alongside their children and find out more about what actually happens in school!

As a base for outdoor learning, our Woodland Workshop is stocked and set-up to have everything needed to inspire and interest the children as they learn outside of their classroom.

A large pond area within the school grounds. Safely enclosed. Perfect for outdoor learning, science investigation and pond-dipping.

Perfect for teaching about fire safety, story-telling, the Great Fire of London or cooking some marshmallows. Children can fully engage, in safety, in this special area. 

From immersing the children in a well-known fairy tale to being part of the Roman army, these immersive headphones can take the children on such a vast range of journeys to support and enhance their learning.

T

Our history timeline graphic spans 3 walls and incorporates the key historical events and figures taught in our themes. Alongside this, our map graphic spans 1 large wall and shows world and local maps, incorporating key geographical features and countries that are studied through our themes.

Our 3d printer allows us to print and design objects relevant to our curriculum. Keeping us at the cutting edge of technology.

From a snowy forest to a hot air balloon ride, from the deepest ocean to a trip back in time to The Great Fire of London, there is no limit to the places we can take our children.

Combined with our Now Press Play Headphones and green-screen wall, we also have the makings of a mini-recording / studio.

Outdoor Sport Spaces and Equipment

Our MUGA, gym equipment, adventure trail, tyres and daily mile track allow children to stay fit and healthy, not only through play, but when teachers utilise these facilities during lessons.

Spaces for reflection

Our Values Chairs, Creativity Cabin and George’s Garden allow for teachers to plan reflective sessions for the whole class or small groups. 

The IT suite

With a desktop computer for every child in a class, and iPads too, technology is used to enhance learning across subjects. Our 3D printer also further enhances children’s IT experiences in school.