Aims & Values
Our Vision
Children staff and parents work actively in partnership to enable all children to realise their full potential. We aim for us all, as learners, to:
Our Aims
Take CARE of yourself, of others, of property. Show COURTESY be polite to all. Show CONSIDERATION to the whole Woodlands COMMUNITY. |
Code of Behaviour
Each class makes up class rules at the beginning of the year which everyone agrees will assist learning and facilitate a happy classroom environment. In addition, there are school rules and values which are contained in the school prospectus.
There is an expectation of high standards of personal behaviour and respect for others which we hope parents/carers will encourage and support. Children's achievements are celebrated in a special Celebration Assembly held every Friday. They do find this very motivating. Rewards also include stickers, certificates, praise and the opportunity to share their work with other staff and children. Considerate behaviour is also noticed at break and lunch times. Everyone has the right to:
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Additional Educational Needs
All children are valued, respected and welcomed to the school whatever their additional educational need. We will support their learning and ensure they are fully included in all school activities, making full use of externally provided facilities where appropriate.
Woodlands has been awarded the Dyslexia Friendly Quality Mark. When assessed for this Mark, the assessor commented that it had been, ‘a pleasure to see, first hand, the excellent dyslexia friendly practices reflected within the school’. Staff are regularly trained to ensure they are meeting the needs of the children. You can read more about dyslexia by visiting the British Dyslexia Association and you can read their latest newsletter by clicking here. Other websites that might prove useful are Kent West Dyslexia Assocation and Dyslexia Action.
Listed below is a brief overview of the various additional programmes we deliver to support all learners, where appropriate. If you wish to discuss your child’s support programmes please do not hesitate to get in touch with the Teaching Assistant running the group or with Mrs Tarrant-Blick (Inclusion Manager).
Gifted and Talented
We aim to ensure that children who display exceptional gifts and talents are provided for. Every year, the children with exceptional gifts and talents are identified by members of staff as well as their families. This process enables the school to ensure that provision is in place to challenge and enrich the learning of this group of children. The school works to offer a variety of enrichment opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom, and aims to harness and develop the gifts and talents that our children display. One of the organisations we collaborate with is the ChaSE Network based at Canterbury Christchurch University. They provide excellent updates of events, opportunities and articles aimed at gifted and talented learners.
Speechlink
A speech programme which targets sounds that children have difficulties in producing. Children are tested within the school using this specialised computer programme and then our Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) delivers the suggested individualised programmes. There are occasions when the tests show that a child needs to be referred to a Speech and Language Therapy for additional guidance and/or intervention.
Speech and Language
Individualised programmes submitted by a Speech Therapist assigned to this school which is delivered by our HLTA. These are for children who have been referred, by the school or by a medical professional, to be assessed by the Speech and Language Therapy Service. These programmes can include speech sound production, language development and social skills, depending on the child’s needs.
EAL - English as an Additional Language
This is for children who have a first language other than English and may need further intervention with their English language understanding in order to aid their academic development. Our EAL Administrator uses guidelines given by Specialist Teachers for Minority Ethnic and Bilingual Achievement which follow the National Curriculum programmes.
Fizzy
The Fizzy programme has been developed by Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists. It is graded and measurable in three stages and works on three specific areas- balance, ball skills and body awareness.
SLS – Specific Literacy Support
This is a small group intervention program that focuses on phonics, spelling, handwriting and further speech and language development. These multi-sensory sessions are led by Mrs Barnett, Mrs Minister or Mrs Jesson and are based on specially written teaching material.
Wordshark and Numbershark
These are computer based programmes which help reinforce spellings and maths skills. Wordshark is a complimentary programme to SLS which is tailored to a child’s individual reeds. Children included in SLS support will also be accessing Wordshark.
Toe by Toe
This is a highly structured multi-sensory individual reading programme which is specially designed for children diagnosed as having specific learning difficulties.
Teaching Emotional Literacy
Emotional Literacy sessions are delivered to all year 4 pupils. They are designed to help young people in understanding their feelings and teaches them the vocabulary to express themselves.
Emotional support
This intervention is accessible to all pupils who may be experiencing difficulty with some aspects of home/school life e.g. a family bereavement which may impact on their school life.
Drawing and Talking Therapy
This is a programme delivered usually in exceptional circumstances. It enables young people to express deeper worries in a supportive 1:1 environment.
Anger management
This is provided to help young people understand why they are angry and how to deal with it in a positive way.
‘Slide – away’ Bereavement Contact
‘Slide-away’ work with the school, parents and pupils should there be bereavement. We may refer pupils to this service who require further help with bereavement specialists.
Fine motor skills
Fine motor skills are vital to the development of many competencies in young children. Activities are divided into sections focusing on warming up, hand and finger strength, manipulation and eye-hand co-ordination. Clever Fingers and Take Ten programmes are used together with scissor skill activities and fun and games which are delivered by Mrs Jesson.
Woodlands has been awarded the Dyslexia Friendly Quality Mark. When assessed for this Mark, the assessor commented that it had been, ‘a pleasure to see, first hand, the excellent dyslexia friendly practices reflected within the school’. Staff are regularly trained to ensure they are meeting the needs of the children. You can read more about dyslexia by visiting the British Dyslexia Association and you can read their latest newsletter by clicking here. Other websites that might prove useful are Kent West Dyslexia Assocation and Dyslexia Action.
Listed below is a brief overview of the various additional programmes we deliver to support all learners, where appropriate. If you wish to discuss your child’s support programmes please do not hesitate to get in touch with the Teaching Assistant running the group or with Mrs Tarrant-Blick (Inclusion Manager).
Gifted and Talented
We aim to ensure that children who display exceptional gifts and talents are provided for. Every year, the children with exceptional gifts and talents are identified by members of staff as well as their families. This process enables the school to ensure that provision is in place to challenge and enrich the learning of this group of children. The school works to offer a variety of enrichment opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom, and aims to harness and develop the gifts and talents that our children display. One of the organisations we collaborate with is the ChaSE Network based at Canterbury Christchurch University. They provide excellent updates of events, opportunities and articles aimed at gifted and talented learners.
Speechlink
A speech programme which targets sounds that children have difficulties in producing. Children are tested within the school using this specialised computer programme and then our Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) delivers the suggested individualised programmes. There are occasions when the tests show that a child needs to be referred to a Speech and Language Therapy for additional guidance and/or intervention.
Speech and Language
Individualised programmes submitted by a Speech Therapist assigned to this school which is delivered by our HLTA. These are for children who have been referred, by the school or by a medical professional, to be assessed by the Speech and Language Therapy Service. These programmes can include speech sound production, language development and social skills, depending on the child’s needs.
EAL - English as an Additional Language
This is for children who have a first language other than English and may need further intervention with their English language understanding in order to aid their academic development. Our EAL Administrator uses guidelines given by Specialist Teachers for Minority Ethnic and Bilingual Achievement which follow the National Curriculum programmes.
Fizzy
The Fizzy programme has been developed by Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists. It is graded and measurable in three stages and works on three specific areas- balance, ball skills and body awareness.
SLS – Specific Literacy Support
This is a small group intervention program that focuses on phonics, spelling, handwriting and further speech and language development. These multi-sensory sessions are led by Mrs Barnett, Mrs Minister or Mrs Jesson and are based on specially written teaching material.
Wordshark and Numbershark
These are computer based programmes which help reinforce spellings and maths skills. Wordshark is a complimentary programme to SLS which is tailored to a child’s individual reeds. Children included in SLS support will also be accessing Wordshark.
Toe by Toe
This is a highly structured multi-sensory individual reading programme which is specially designed for children diagnosed as having specific learning difficulties.
Teaching Emotional Literacy
Emotional Literacy sessions are delivered to all year 4 pupils. They are designed to help young people in understanding their feelings and teaches them the vocabulary to express themselves.
Emotional support
This intervention is accessible to all pupils who may be experiencing difficulty with some aspects of home/school life e.g. a family bereavement which may impact on their school life.
Drawing and Talking Therapy
This is a programme delivered usually in exceptional circumstances. It enables young people to express deeper worries in a supportive 1:1 environment.
Anger management
This is provided to help young people understand why they are angry and how to deal with it in a positive way.
‘Slide – away’ Bereavement Contact
‘Slide-away’ work with the school, parents and pupils should there be bereavement. We may refer pupils to this service who require further help with bereavement specialists.
Fine motor skills
Fine motor skills are vital to the development of many competencies in young children. Activities are divided into sections focusing on warming up, hand and finger strength, manipulation and eye-hand co-ordination. Clever Fingers and Take Ten programmes are used together with scissor skill activities and fun and games which are delivered by Mrs Jesson.