Aims
At Woodlands Primary School we believe that:
- Children thrive when they are curious readers and intelligent talkers
- Children thrive when they have solid foundations in English and maths
- Children thrive when they experience a broad, ambitious curriculum enriched with real-world experiences
Our curriculum is built on our Four I’s:
Insatiable Readers
Intelligent Talkers
Inclusive Citizens
Impeccably Behaved
We set high expectations for every child by raising the floor and do whatever it takes to help them succeed. Our aspirations are no lower for our most vulnerable pupils. We strive for excellent teaching because great teaching changes lives.
Reading is the golden thread that runs through everything we do. We dedicate additional time to oracy, literacy and English, because when children build firm foundations in reading, writing and mathematics, they can access the full curriculum with confidence. That’s why we prioritise depth in these subjects, giving our pupils the best chance of success.
Our approach is underpinned by four mantras that define our culture:
- We raise the floor so every child can stand shoulder to shoulder with any child nationally
- Routine is our friend; structure helps our children thrive
- Every day counts – attendance unlocks opportunity
- Character matters – kindness and respect lead the way
Implementation
Our curriculum is carefully designed to meet the needs of our community while aligning with the National Curriculum. It is knowledge-rich, highly sequenced and ambitious, ensuring pupils know more, remember more and apply their learning confidently.
We enrich learning through local experiences, trips and community engagement, so that by the time children leave us at 11, they understand their place in Sheffield, the UK and the wider world. They will have tried new things, developed resilience and curiosity, and take their love of success with them to secondary school and beyond so they can stand shoulder to shoulder with any child nationally.
Our approach includes:
- Read Write Inc. phonics in EYFS and Key Stage 1, followed by reciprocal reading and fluency strategies in Key Stage 2
- Power Maths mastery approach, with daily fluency sessions for areas such number bonds and times tables
- A consistent writing journey across school, with grammar taught in context and purposeful outcomes
- Explicit teaching of vocabulary and oracy, so our children are loud and proud, speaking with confidence
- Adaptive teaching strategies to meet diverse needs
- A broad foundation curriculum including art, design technology, computing, science, history, geography, music, physical education, religious education, PSHE and Spanish
Impact and assessment
At Woodlands, we believe effective assessment drives excellent teaching and learning. Our rigorous approach combines daily formative assessment with termly trust wide summative checks to ensure every child is supported and challenged appropriately.
Teachers use strategies, hinge questions and responsive teaching to understand:
- Where the learner is now
- Where they need to go
- How to get them there
Summative assessments take place three times a year in reading, writing and maths, alongside phonics checks and wider curriculum quizzes. Data days after each assessment point ensure sharp decision-making about teaching and interventions.
We provide regular feedback to pupils so they know how to improve and share clear information with parents through reports and meetings.
We recognise that children do best when families and schools work together. We keep parents informed about targets and progress, and involve families in all aspects of school life.
Early Years
Our Early Years curriculum is designed to give children the best possible start to their learning journey.
From Little Pips (2–3 years) through Chestnuts (3–4 years) and into Reception, children explore all seven areas of learning through exciting, hands-on experiences that spark curiosity and independence.
We follow the Curiosity Approach, creating calm, natural environments with authentic resources that encourage exploration and problem-solving. Stories, songs and rhymes are central to our approach, building rich language and memorable learning.
High-quality adult interactions underpin every activity, supporting communication and language, physical development, and personal, social and emotional skills. In Reception, children begin early reading and writing through our systematic phonics programme Read Write Inc., alongside carefully sequenced maths teaching using Power Maths and Mastering Number.
Our goal is to create a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment where every child thrives, develops independence and becomes a confident learner ready for Year 1.
Key Stage 1
In Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2), our curriculum builds on the strong foundations established in Early Years.
We maintain a sharp focus on early reading, writing and mathematics, ensuring children become fluent, confident learners. Reading remains a top priority, with pupils continuing Read Write Inc. phonics alongside opportunities to develop fluency and a love of books.
Writing is taught through our consistent Writing Journey, combining grammar in context with purposeful outcomes. Maths teaching is carefully sequenced through Power Maths, supported by daily fluency sessions to secure number bonds and core arithmetic skills.
Our curriculum is rich in vocabulary and oracy, enabling children to express ideas clearly, listen attentively and grow in confidence as speakers—preparing them for the next stage of their education.
Key Stage 2
The curriculum in Key Stage 2 (Years 3–6) builds upon the foundations of Key Stage 1.
After completing Read Write Inc., pupils move to Reading Instruction, focusing on high-quality texts from our bespoke reading anthologies and using reciprocal reading strategies to deepen comprehension. Reading fluency continues to be developed through echo and choral reading.
In mathematics, we maintain a rigorous focus on arithmetic and times tables, preparing pupils for the Multiplication Tables Check in Year 4. Alongside this, pupils tackle increasingly complex problem-solving and reasoning tasks within our mastery approach.
Beyond English and maths, pupils study a broad and ambitious curriculum including:
art, computing, design technology, geography, history, Spanish, music, physical education, PSHE, religious education and science.
As pupils progress through Key Stage 2, they develop independence, resilience and the ability to produce work of greater complexity and depth. By Year 6, they are ready to sit their final assessments with confidence and transition successfully to secondary school.
Find out more
To find out more about our curriculum, please speak to your child’s class teacher or email mkeats@woodlands-primary.school.
Alternatively, an enquiry can be made through the school’s central email address enquiries@woodlands-primary.school.