The Woodlands School curriculum at Hunningley Primary Academy provides children with a coherent, knowledge-rich understanding of the natural environment, rooted in the National Curriculum and designed as a progressive model built around key vertical concepts such as environmental understanding, practical skills and tool use, creativity and problem solving and PSED and oracy . These concepts provide a meaningful lens through which pupils explore and contextualise their learning, ensuring secure foundations for future learning in science, geography and design technology.
Our curriculum is carefully sequenced so that pupils develop both substantive knowledge of the natural world and the disciplinary knowledge required to investigate, design, evaluate and problem-solve in real-world contexts. Through regular and purposeful outdoor learning experiences, pupils revisit key ideas such as materials, habitats, forces and environmental change, enabling them to build knowledge cumulatively over time and make meaningful connections across subjects.
The Woodlands School curriculum equips pupils with the essential knowledge and skills to think, act and work like scientists, geographers and designers, while developing independence, resilience and confidence. It is designed to create awe and wonder about the natural world, inspiring curiosity and encouraging pupils to see themselves as active participants within it.
In line with the expectations of a high-quality education, the curriculum is ambitious for all learners and ensures that pupils know more, remember more and can apply their learning in increasingly complex and independent ways. Learning is sequenced to build from early exploration in the EYFS to independent application and leadership by the end of Key Stage 2.
Woodlands School provides a powerful context for embedding curriculum knowledge through meaningful, real-world experiences. Outdoor learning strengthens pupils’ cognitive development by engaging multiple senses, supporting long-term memory retention and enabling pupils to make deeper connections between knowledge and application. Through activities such as den building, filtration, fire lighting and environmental improvement, pupils are able to apply substantive knowledge in authentic contexts, reinforcing their understanding and developing transferable problem-solving skills.
The curriculum is designed to be fully inclusive, ensuring that all pupils, including those with SEND and those who are disadvantaged, can access and succeed. Through its practical and multi-sensory approach, Forest School removes barriers to learning and provides multiple entry points, allowing pupils to engage physically, verbally and visually. Learning is carefully scaffolded and broken down into small, progressive steps, ensuring accessibility while maintaining high expectations for all. These experiences are particularly beneficial for disadvantaged pupils, helping to build cultural capital through opportunities they may not otherwise access.
Forest School also plays a significant role in promoting pupils’ personal development and wellbeing. Through carefully managed risk-taking, pupils learn to assess, manage and respond to risk safely, developing resilience, independence and self-regulation. Collaborative tasks provide opportunities to develop communication, teamwork and leadership skills, ensuring pupils can articulate their thinking and work effectively with others. The outdoor environment supports both physical and emotional wellbeing, providing space for reflection, exploration and engagement.
In line with national priorities for children’s wellbeing, the curriculum ensures that pupils feel safe, supported and able to thrive. Pupils develop a strong sense of belonging and responsibility through environmental stewardship, understanding their role in protecting and improving the natural world. They are supported to become confident, independent individuals who are prepared for future learning, life and participation in society.
In addition, our Forest School curriculum enhances pupils’ cultural capital by providing meaningful and enriching experiences that extend beyond the classroom. By engaging with the natural environment, working with tools and solving real-world problems, pupils develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to succeed in future education and beyond.