Curriculum
Intention, Implementation and Impact
Intent
At Woodchurch Road Academy, we have designed a bespoke, broad and balanced curriculum that develops our children into resilient, compassionate and thoughtful citizens who are empowered to embrace the richness and diversity of life in modern Britain and the wider world.
Our curriculum fulfils and extends beyond the National Curriculum and EYFS framework. It is driven by a belief that every child can thrive academically, socially and emotionally when they experience a sense of belonging, purpose and challenge.
Learning is rooted in authentic contexts that connect local and global issues, enabling pupils to understand their place in the world and the impact they can make within it. Each project or expedition is designed to develop academic excellence, beautiful work and quality character in equal measure.
Implementation
Our curriculum is structured around expeditions and projects that bring together knowledge, skills and values from across disciplines. These are underpinned by carefully sequenced progression maps, showing how substantive and disciplinary knowledge deepen and connect over time.
Each unit begins with a compelling question and culminates in a public outcome — such as an exhibition, publication, or presentation — to give learning real purpose. Key texts, high-quality anchor charts, and WAGOLLs support children in understanding what success looks like and in developing independence as learners.
We use Literacy Counts: Read to Write to ensure high-quality teaching of writing through rich, vocabulary-driven texts, and Steps to Read to develop comprehension and a love of reading across the curriculum. Early reading is taught through Read Write Inc., continuing into Key Stage 2 where appropriate.
In Mathematics, we adopt a mastery approach using White Rose Maths, focusing on depth before acceleration. This enables all pupils to develop fluency, reasoning and problem-solving skills, applying their understanding flexibly across contexts.
Our Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) follows the Jigsaw programme, enhanced through our Crew lessons and equality projects. Pupils learn about identity, belonging, justice, and relationships, and study People of Outstanding Character drawn from a wide range of cultures, histories and belief systems.
The curriculum is enriched through visits, fieldwork and partnerships that connect learning to the real world. Each year, pupils experience local and regional visits — for example, exploring the legacy of the slave trade in Liverpool, the importance of the Mersey and Dee rivers, or the creative heritage of the Wirral.
Across all subjects, teachers employ formative assessment strategies aligned with our Formative Feedback Policy, ensuring children are active participants in their learning journey through feedback, reflection and improvement.
Impact
Through engaging, authentic and knowledge-rich learning experiences, pupils at Woodchurch Road Academy build a deep and connected understanding of the world. They develop curiosity, courage and compassion — characteristics that underpin success both within and beyond school.
By the time they leave, pupils:
Possess a secure body of academic knowledge, transferable skills and strong learning habits.
Understand their responsibility as active citizens within their community and the wider world.
Demonstrate pride in their work and strive for quality in everything they do.
Are prepared for the next
stage of their education with confidence, empathy and a belief in their ability to make a difference.
