Teaching & Learning

At Willenhall Community Primary School, we promote high expectations across all teaching and learning which, in turn leads to all pupils achieving their best in all curriculum areas. We aim for a level of consistency through our teaching and learning approaches and believe in adapting and differentiating learning to meet the needs of all learners at our school. Teachers are encouraged to use their own professional judgement, based on their understanding of their pupils and the intended learning and outcomes, to ensure pupils make at least expected progress from their starting points. 

We aim to provide a calm environment where children feel happy and safe to learn. 

We provide a broad and balanced curriculum which has been developed with our children at the heart of it. Our interconnected curriculum allows for key links to be made across curriculum areas (see curriculum offer).  

Teaching and learning- The Willenhall Way 

There are a variety of strategies that teaching staff will use. A clear sequenced approach to learning is encouraged for most lessons and is detailed in our teaching and learning policy, which is shared with teachers when they join our school. 

The structure of lessons will change depending on the learning intention and the expected outcomes for children.   

Most lessons will consist of:

•    Recap/Retrieval of previous or linked learning
•    Shared learning intentions
•    Main teach using a gradual release model
•    Independent tasks
•    Assessment opportunities and live marking
•    Challenge activities

Other strategies used by teaching staff include, but are not limited to 

•    Whole class teaching 

•    Spotlighting 

•    Small and 1:1 work  

•    Use of Think Pair Share and talk partners for AfL 

•    Use of Say It Again, Better.  

•    Use of Oracy stem sentences, listening and talk moves 

•    Opportunities for retrieval  

•    Outdoor learning  

•    Explorative work  

•    Adaptations (the 4 S’s)- Scaffold, structure, style and size 

•    High quality modelling  

•    Cold calling for AfL 

Exhibitions 

Exhibitions are held termly and are a community project which the children plan and develop (facilitated by teaching staff). Exhibitions give purpose to children's learning and enables them to have the opportunity to celebrate and apply the skills and knowledge they have gained over the term. 

Home learning  

Home learning, or homework, supports pupils to make the link between what they have learnt in school and the wider world. It is most effective when done in a supportive, secure environment, with focused time set aside. 

Homework is provided weekly to support retention and application of key learning. Reading at home (at least 3 times per week) is encouraged as per the reading at home guidance for parents/carers. Spellings are provided weekly.

Each term a topic homework project is provided to enrich the learning that has been happening in school.