Phronesis: learning to make good choices
At Woodlands, we help children learn phronesis, which means knowing how to make good choices in everyday life. It’s about doing the right thing, at the right time, in the right way. Children learn this through real experiences, practising our school values, and working with others – not just from books.
We start building these skills as soon as children join our school. We want every child to grow into a confident, kind and thoughtful person, not just someone who does well in lessons. That’s why we plan lots of hands‑on learning and real‑life opportunities across the year.
We teach this through:
Forest School
Children learn new skills like den building, cooking on a fire, using tools safely, and taking care of nature. They practise teamwork, resilience and problem‑solving outdoors.
Zones of regulation
Children learn to understand their feelings and choose the right behaviour in different situations. This helps them manage emotions and build strong friendships.
Hands‑on learning
Across the curriculum, children apply their knowledge in real tasks—experimenting, creating, building and investigating. This helps them think for themselves and grow in confidence.
Enrichment activities
We offer lots of enrichment during the school day and after school so children can try new things, build confidence and discover their interests. This includes:
Trips and visits
These are linked to topics, including museums, outdoor centres, local geography and history sites.
Enrichment activities
Children explore new activities, arts, sports and problem‑solving challenges.
Forest School
All of our children also access our amazing Forest School site which:
- Encourages children to learn through hands-on experiences in nature.
- Builds confidence, resilience and independence through outdoor challenges.
- Promotes teamwork, problem‑solving and communication.
- Supports wellbeing by giving children time to explore, play and take supported risks in a natural environment.
- Helps children develop respect for the environment and an understanding of the natural world.
- Uses child‑led learning, where curiosity and interests shape the activities.
These experiences help children grow in independence, resilience, imagination and curiosity.
Sports and games
Our sports curriculum helps children become confident, active and healthy. We teach skills across four areas – technical, tactical, physical and psychological – and offer a wide range of sports, including:
- football
- rugby
- hockey
- basketball
- dance
- gymnastics
- athletics
- rounders
- cricket
- tennis
- cycling
- fencing
- water polo
- CrossFit and more
Sport helps children build teamwork, confidence, resilience and a positive attitude to being active. We make PE fun, practical and inclusive so every child can achieve their personal best.
After school clubs
We want your child to have lots of chances to learn new things, grow in confidence and find activities they love.
Our Extended Schools programme runs after the school day and is led by trained specialists. These clubs help your child try new hobbies, learn new skills and have fun with friends.
Why it helps your family
- Gives creative, meaningful activities beyond normal lessons.
- Offers safe, fun after‑school options for busy families.
- Makes clubs easy to access, even if similar activities are hard to find or too expensive elsewhere.
What your child can do
Across the year, clubs change each half‑term. Your child can try:
- Sports – karate, archery, athletics, boxercise
- Arts and crafts, including ceramics
- STEM and science
- Coding and game design
- Dance – Disney dance, cheerleading
- Fun activities – NERF wars, circus skills, glow‑in‑the‑dark dodgeball
All clubs are led by checked, trained and experienced instructors, so your child is safe and supported.
Costs
Some clubs may have a small fee; others may be free. We work hard to keep prices low so as many children as possible can join in.
Details of our extended schools offer are shared each half term via Class Dojo and on our parent bulletin each week. Please ask in the school office for more details or contact us.