Teaching and Learning at Forestdale
At Forestdale Primary School, our pedagogical approach is rooted in high-quality, inclusive teaching that promotes engagement, independence and a love of learning. Lessons are carefully designed with clear learning objectives, high levels of pupil interaction and a strong emphasis on dialogue, ensuring children actively participate, think deeply and take ownership of their learning.
The curriculum is delivered through well-structured lessons that build on prior knowledge, with learning journeys clearly mapped so pupils understand what they are learning and why.
Teachers make the purpose of learning explicit, helping pupils to see how current learning builds on prior knowledge and supports future progress. Teachers use modelling, questioning and guided practice to support understanding, adapting schemes such as Kapow to meet the needs of all learners.
A strong emphasis is placed on subject-specific vocabulary, enabling pupils to articulate their ideas with confidence. Key “sticky knowledge” is revisited regularly, including learning from previous units and year groups, to strengthen long-term retention. Regular retrieval practice, including low-stakes quizzes, supports pupils in remembering more over time and developing secure understanding.
Alongside knowledge, pupils develop subject-specific skills which are revisited and built upon over time, enabling them to apply their learning with increasing independence.
From Year 2 onwards, we adopt a Maths Mastery approach, enabling all pupils to develop a deep and secure understanding of mathematical concepts through small, progressive steps, reasoning and problem-solving. Where needed, split teaching and targeted support ensure that pupils who require additional help to secure key concepts are fully supported.
Reading is prioritised across the school. Early reading is taught through the ELS phonics programme, giving children strong foundations in decoding and fluency. As pupils progress, we use whole class reading to develop comprehension, vocabulary and a love of literature. In Year 2, children move to three days of whole class reading while continuing to benefit from paired reading approaches introduced in Year 1.Spelling from Year 2 to Year 6 is taught through the ELS spelling programme, supporting children to understand patterns, apply rules confidently and improve accuracy in their writing.
Writing is taught through high-quality texts and is structured around four key purposes: to entertain, inform, persuade and discuss. This ensures pupils write for meaningful audiences and develop a wide range of skills.
A key priority at Forestdale is oracy; we are committed to developing confident speakers and effective communicators. Through our work with the Oracy Cambridge programme, we are working towards becoming an accredited Oracy Champion School for Croydon, embedding talk-rich learning across the curriculum.
Enrichment opportunities are carefully planned to enhance the curriculum and provide pupils with memorable experiences. These include trips, visitors, clubs and themed events, which deepen understanding, broaden experiences and support pupils’ personal development.
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) at Forestdale Primary School
At Forestdale Primary School, our Early Years curriculum is designed to nurture confident, curious and resilient learners who develop a lifelong love of learning. We value each child as a unique individual and build on their prior experiences from home and previous settings to create strong foundations for future success.
Our approach combines high-quality teaching with rich, hands-on experiences, both indoors and outdoors. A key part of our environment is our continuous provision—carefully planned resources and learning areas that are consistently available throughout the day—allowing children to revisit, practise and deepen their understanding through meaningful play and exploration. We place a strong emphasis on learning through play, exploration and purposeful interaction, enabling children to develop key skills across all areas of the curriculum. Communication and language, alongside personal, social and emotional development, are at the heart of everything we do.
We carefully follow children’s interests to inspire creativity and independence, while also supporting them to develop important life skills such as problem-solving, collaboration and self-care. Our skilled staff know when to guide learning and when to step back, using observation to capture important teachable moments.
Strong partnerships with parents and families are central to our success. We encourage regular communication and involvement through daily interactions, parent meetings and online learning journals, ensuring every child’s achievements are celebrated and supported.
Our curriculum is flexible and responsive, adapting to the needs of each child so that all learners make excellent progress. By the end of Reception, children are well-prepared—academically, socially and emotionally—for a smooth and confident transition into Year 1.
Year 1 at Forestdale Primary School
In Year 1, we build on the strong foundations of Early Years by following the Early Excellence approach to continuous provision. This ensures a smooth and supportive transition while maintaining high expectations for learning.
What is Continuous Provision?
Continuous provision is a carefully planned learning environment where resources and activities are consistently available throughout the day. These enable children to revisit, practise and deepen their understanding through play, exploration and hands-on experiences.
This approach encourages independence, creativity, resilience and collaboration, while reinforcing the key skills and knowledge needed for the National Curriculum.
Our Approach in Year 1
Our classrooms are organised into purposeful learning areas such as reading, writing, maths, creative arts, construction, small world play and enquiry (history, geography and science). Each area is designed with clear learning intentions and provides opportunities for children to explore, practise and apply their learning.
We carefully consider children’s interests alongside curriculum goals, ensuring that learning is both engaging and progressive. Resources are thoughtfully organised to promote independence and support children in becoming confident, self-motivated learners.
Teaching and Learning
Continuous provision works alongside high-quality teaching. Children take part in short whole-class lessons, followed by small group work with the teacher or teaching assistant. This allows learning to be tailored to individual needs, misconceptions to be addressed quickly and challenge to be provided where appropriate.
Children also access independent “learning challenges” linked to different subjects. These activities help to reinforce and extend learning, while encouraging children to take ownership of their progress.
The Benefits of Continuous Provision
- Supports a smooth transition from EYFS
- Encourages independence, resilience and confidence
- Promotes communication and social skills through collaboration
- Enables personalised support and challenge
- Deepens understanding through exploration and repetition
- Supports wellbeing and inclusion for all learners
Our Learning Environment
At Forestdale, we believe the classroom acts as a “second teacher.” Our spaces are carefully organised so that children can independently access resources, develop responsibility and use routines—such as tidying up—as valuable learning opportunities.
