At Rhodes Green CE Primary School, we believe that some of the most powerful learning experiences happen beyond the classroom. Our developing Forest School provision gives children opportunities to explore, create, take appropriate risks and connect with the natural world.

From this year, every child at Rhodes Green will experience a dedicated block of Forest School sessions, ensuring all pupils have the opportunity to benefit from outdoor learning as they progress through school.

For our youngest children, outdoor learning is an especially important part of their development. Children in EYFS and Key Stage 1 take part in weekly Forest School sessions throughout the year, giving them regular opportunities to explore the changing seasons, develop practical skills and learn through first-hand experiences.

Forest School supports much more than curriculum learning. Through activities such as exploring nature, building, creating and working collaboratively, children develop confidence, independence, resilience, communication and problem-solving skills.

Our Forest School provision also forms part of our wider approach to inclusion and wellbeing. Targeted Forest School groups support children with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, providing a different environment in which to build relationships, regulate emotions, develop self-esteem and experience success.

Our Forest School continues to grow as part of the new chapter at Rhodes Green, and we are excited to develop the space and the opportunities we can offer.

Above all, we want children to get outdoors, get curious, have a go and make memories while developing skills that will stay with them far beyond primary school.

Modern Foreign Languages – Spanish

At Rhodes Green CE Primary School, we believe that learning another language helps children to develop confidence, curiosity and an appreciation of the wider world.
Our chosen Modern Foreign Language is Spanish. Through engaging and practical lessons, children progressively develop their skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing, building their vocabulary and understanding of the language as they move through school.

Children are encouraged to use Spanish as much as possible within lessons, developing confidence through conversation, songs, games, stories and interactive activities. They learn useful vocabulary and phrases alongside developing an understanding of pronunciation, grammar and sentence structure.

Learning Spanish is also an opportunity to explore Spanish-speaking countries and cultures. Children discover different traditions, celebrations and ways of life, helping them to recognise and appreciate the diversity of the world around them.

We want language learning to feel enjoyable and accessible to every child. Making mistakes, having a go and practising together are all encouraged as children become increasingly confident communicators.

Our aim is for Rhodes Green children to leave primary school with strong foundations in Spanish, enthusiasm for learning languages and the confidence to continue their language-learning journey at secondary school and beyond.

At Rhodes Green CE Primary School, we want every child to become a confident, creative and effective writer who understands the power of the written word.

Our writing curriculum develops children’s ability to communicate their ideas clearly and purposefully. Children experience a rich range of high-quality texts, authors and genres, which provide inspiration and models for their own writing while developing vocabulary and understanding of how language can be used for different audiences and purposes.
From the earliest stages, children develop the foundations of writing through phonics, handwriting, spelling and sentence construction. As they progress through school, they learn to plan, draft, edit and improve their work, making increasingly thoughtful choices about vocabulary, grammar, punctuation and structure.

We believe children produce their best writing when they have something meaningful to write about. Wherever appropriate, writing is connected to exciting texts, curriculum learning and real experiences, giving children a clear purpose and audience for their work.

Spelling, punctuation and grammar are taught explicitly and then applied within children’s independent writing. We also place importance on presentation and handwriting, supporting children to develop pride in the work they produce.
Our ambition is for children to leave Rhodes Green able to express themselves with confidence, imagination and accuracy – equipped with the writing skills they need for secondary school and the wider world.

Most importantly, we want our children to see themselves as writers, with ideas and voices worth sharing.

At Rhodes Green CE Primary School, we want every child to experience the joy of music and develop the confidence to listen, perform, create and express themselves.

Our Music curriculum is supported by the Charanga scheme, providing a progressive approach to developing children’s musical knowledge, understanding and skills as they move through school.

Children experience music through singing, listening, performing, composing and improvising. They explore rhythm, pulse, pitch and notation, while listening to and responding to a wide range of musical styles, traditions and composers.

We believe music should be something children actively experience. Through practical lessons, children have opportunities to make music individually and collaboratively, developing confidence in performing alongside important skills such as listening, cooperation and perseverance.

Children are encouraged to explore their own musical ideas, experiment with sounds and recognise that there are many different ways to be creative through music. Our curriculum also introduces pupils to music from different cultures, traditions and periods, helping to broaden their understanding of the world around them.

Music also plays an important part in the wider life of Rhodes Green through collective worship, performances and celebrations, bringing our school community together.

Our aim is for children to leave Rhodes Green with a love and appreciation of music, the confidence to express themselves creatively and memories of making music together.

At Rhodes Green CE Primary School, Design and Technology gives children the opportunity to imagine, design, create and evaluate, turning their ideas into purposeful products.

Our Design and Technology curriculum is supported by Grammarsaurus and is carefully sequenced so that children’s knowledge and practical skills develop progressively as they move through school.

Children are encouraged to think like designers and engineers, beginning with a problem, purpose or user and considering how they might create a successful solution. They learn to research existing products, develop and communicate their ideas, select appropriate tools and materials, make their designs and evaluate how effectively their finished product meets its purpose.

Across the curriculum, children develop experience of areas including structures, mechanisms, textiles, electrical systems and food and nutrition, with increasing levels of challenge and independence.

We want children to understand that successful designs do not always happen first time. Testing, evaluating, adapting and improving are an important part of the design process, helping our pupils develop creativity, resilience and problem-solving skills.

Through practical, purposeful projects, children have opportunities to apply learning from other areas of the curriculum, particularly mathematics, science, computing and art.

Our aim is for Rhodes Green children to become creative and resourceful problem-solvers who are confident to experiment, learn from mistakes and turn their ideas into reality.

At Rhodes Green CE Primary School, we want art to give every child the opportunity to create, explore and express themselves with confidence.

Our Art and Design curriculum is supported by Grammarsaurus and is carefully sequenced so that children progressively develop their artistic knowledge, techniques and creativity as they move through school.

Children experience a wide range of artistic processes and media, developing skills in areas such as drawing, painting, sculpture, printing, textiles and mixed media. They are encouraged to experiment, make choices and understand that creativity is a process where ideas can be explored, adapted and improved.

An important part of our curriculum is learning about artists, designers and craftspeople from different periods, cultures and backgrounds. Children explore their work, consider the ideas and techniques behind it and use this learning as inspiration for their own creations.

Through their sketchbooks, children record ideas, practise techniques, experiment with materials and reflect on how their work develops over time.

We want our pupils to develop their own artistic voice rather than simply reproducing identical pieces of artwork. Children are encouraged to be imaginative, take creative risks and feel proud of what they produce.

Our aim is for every Rhodes Green child to see themselves as an artist – curious, creative and confident enough to let their individuality shine.

At Rhodes Green CE Primary School, Personal, Social, Health, Citizenship and Economic Education (PSHCE) is a vital part of our curriculum. We want children to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to keep themselves safe, build healthy relationships, make informed choices and thrive in an ever-changing world.
Our PSHCE curriculum is supported by Kapow Primary and is further strengthened by the Cranmer Education Trust Safeguarding Curriculum. Together, these provide a carefully planned and progressive approach to children’s personal development and safeguarding education.

Children learn about areas including relationships, physical and mental wellbeing, families, friendships, personal safety, online safety, healthy lifestyles, managing emotions, money and economic wellbeing, citizenship and preparing for change. Learning is age-appropriate and develops as children progress through school.

Importantly, our PSHCE provision goes beyond planned lessons. We continually enhance our curriculum in response to the needs of our children, our community and the world around us. Through assemblies, visitors, workshops, themed events and opportunities across the wider curriculum, children are supported to understand and respond safely to situations they may encounter in real life.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and we want our children to feel confident in recognising when something is not right, knowing how to keep themselves safe and, crucially, knowing who they can talk to and how to ask for help.

Alongside our DREAM Values, PSHCE helps us develop kind, resilient, respectful and responsible young people who are equipped not simply for their next stage of education, but for life.

At Rhodes Green CE Primary School, we believe Physical Education plays an important role in helping children develop healthy habits, confidence, teamwork and a lifelong enjoyment of being active.

Our PE curriculum is supported by EdStart and provides children with a broad range of opportunities to develop their physical skills, knowledge and understanding. Every child receives at least one PE session each week delivered by our specialist EdStart coach, alongside PE taught by our own teaching staff.

Throughout their time at Rhodes Green, children develop skills across a range of activities including games, gymnastics, dance, athletics and outdoor activities. Children are encouraged to challenge themselves, improve their individual performance and experience the enjoyment that comes from being physically active.

PE is also an important opportunity to develop skills that extend far beyond sport. Children learn about teamwork, communication, resilience, determination, respect and fair play – qualities that link closely with our DREAM Values and support their wider personal development.

Alongside curriculum PE, we aim to provide opportunities for children to participate in sporting events, competitions and extra-curricular activities, allowing them to discover new interests and represent Rhodes Green with pride.

Our ambition is for every child, regardless of their starting point or sporting ability, to feel successful and included in PE, developing the confidence, knowledge and positive attitudes needed to lead a healthy and active life.

At Rhodes Green CE Primary School, we want children to become confident, creative and responsible users of technology, equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

Our Computing curriculum is supported by Purple Mash and provides children with opportunities to develop their understanding across the key areas of computer science, information technology and digital literacy.

Children learn how technology works as well as how to use it effectively. As they progress through school, they develop skills including coding and programming, creating and presenting digital content, handling data, communicating using technology and solving problems. Learning is carefully developed so that children become increasingly confident and independent in applying their computing knowledge.

Online Safety

Online safety is an essential part of our Computing curriculum and wider safeguarding provision. We teach children how to use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly, helping them understand both the opportunities and potential risks of the online world.

Children learn about areas including privacy and personal information, appropriate online communication, digital footprints, reliable information, cyberbullying and what to do if something they encounter online makes them feel worried or uncomfortable.

As technology continues to evolve, we want our children to be able to make informed and responsible choices.

Our aim is for every Rhodes Green child to leave us as a capable, curious and responsible digital citizen, ready to use technology confidently, creatively and safely.

Stories to share with children about keeping safe online

At Rhodes Green CE Primary School, we want geography to inspire children to become curious about the world around them and develop an understanding of the people, places and environments that make our planet so diverse.

Our geography curriculum is supported by Grammarsaurus and is carefully sequenced so that children’s geographical knowledge and skills build progressively as they move through school. Children develop their understanding of their local area, the United Kingdom and the wider world, exploring both human and physical geography.

We want our pupils to become confident geographers who can ask questions, investigate places, recognise patterns and make connections between people and their environments. Children develop their knowledge of important geographical concepts alongside practical skills including map reading, using atlases, interpreting data and fieldwork.

Geographical vocabulary is explicitly taught, enabling children to talk confidently about their learning and explain the processes that shape our world.

Wherever possible, geography extends beyond the classroom. Fieldwork and exploration of our local environment give children opportunities to observe, collect information and apply their geographical knowledge first-hand.

Our curriculum also encourages children to consider important issues affecting our world, helping them develop an understanding of sustainability, environmental responsibility and global citizenship.

Through geography, we want to broaden horizons, raise aspirations and inspire Rhodes Green children to become informed, curious and responsible citizens of the world.