Our Approach to Learning

At Willow Tree Primary School, we deliver a rich, broad, and balanced curriculum designed to ignite curiosity and develop deep understanding. Our curriculum is carefully crafted to build knowledge progressively while developing essential skills that will serve our pupils throughout their educational journey and beyond.

English

Our English curriculum is built on the proven Talk for Writing approach, which develops children as confident speakers, readers, and writers.

Through Talk for Writing, children begin by orally rehearsing stories and texts, building familiarity with language patterns and structures before moving to reading and writing. This approach develops both their spoken language skills and their understanding of how written language works. We foster a genuine love of reading through our diverse book collections, regular storytelling sessions, and guided reading programs that support children in becoming fluent, confident readers who can engage deeply with texts.

We use Read Write Inc to teach phonics, giving children the essential building blocks for reading success. Our reading curriculum bridges the gap between phonics and comprehension, with a strong focus on developing fluency in reading.

Maths

We believe every child can be a mathematician. Our maths teaching emphasises problem-solving, reasoning, and real-world application. Children develop mathematical fluency through varied approaches, ensuring deep understanding rather than rote learning. We make mathematics engaging and relevant to everyday life.

Science

Our science curriculum encourages natural curiosity about the world around us. Through hands-on investigations and exciting experiments, children develop scientific thinking skills.

History and Geography

We explore local and global communities, understanding how the past shapes the present and our role as global citizens. Field trips and local studies help children connect learning to their immediate environment.

Computing

Our computing curriculum is delivered through Purple Mash, a comprehensive platform that provides engaging, progressive learning experiences from Reception through to Year 6. Children develop essential digital skills through creative projects, coding challenges, and interactive lessons that build computational thinking step by step. E-safety is taught both discreetly and woven throughout all activities, ensuring children become confident, responsible digital citizens. The platform's assessment tools allow us to track progress and celebrate achievements in computing skills across all year groups.

PSHE (Personal, Social, Health Education)

Our PSHE curriculum follows the JIGSAW program, providing a comprehensive, progressive approach to personal development from Reception through Year 6. The six puzzle pieces of JIGSAW - Being Me in My World, Celebrating Difference, Dreams and Goals, Healthy Me, Relationships, and Changing Me - ensure systematic coverage of essential life skills. This includes our Relationships, Health and Sex Education (RHSE), delivered age-appropriately through the JIGSAW framework. Children develop emotional intelligence, resilience, and understanding of healthy relationships while building the knowledge and skills they need to make positive choices throughout their lives.

Music

Musical learning includes singing, playing instruments, and appreciating diverse musical traditions. We regularly showcase children's musical talents through performances and concerts.

Physical Education

We promote healthy, active lifestyles through a comprehensive PE curriculum that builds upon skills through a range of sports and physical activities, progressing systematically throughout the year groups. Children develop fundamental movement skills in the early years, advancing to more complex techniques and tactical understanding as they move through the school. Our varied program includes team sports, individual activities, gymnastics, dance, and outdoor education, ensuring every child can find areas where they excel and build confidence in their physical abilities.

Religious Education

Our Religious Education curriculum allows for each year group to undertake in-depth studies of particular religions and belief systems. Children explore the rich diversity of world faiths through engaging lessons that develop understanding, respect, and tolerance. Through careful study of religious practices, beliefs, festivals, and sacred texts, pupils gain insight into how faith shapes communities and individuals. Our approach encourages thoughtful questioning and reflection, helping children understand their place in a diverse society while respecting different viewpoints and traditions.