NI Curriculum

Oakwood provides an exciting, creative, broad and balanced curriculum which is age and stage appropriate to the individual needs of each child. In Oakwood’s happy, caring, inclusive and child-centred environment, children are nurtured and respected without discrimination, enabling them to achieve success in a wide variety of academic and social contexts.

The Education Training Inspectorate (ETI) stated in our ETI Inspection Report, November 2024 that:

• Whole-school strategic planning for improvement is underpinned by a collegial and robust process of self-evaluation which identifies relevant priorities for improvement and informs a bespoke and innovative programme of staff professional learning.

• There is a consistent and shared understanding among all staff of what constitutes high quality learning and teaching which is impacting very positively on practice and on the children’s holistic development, learning experiences and outcomes.

• Whole-class inclusive and adaptive teaching approaches and highly impactful small group interventions, enable all children to experience success and make progress from their individual starting points.

• The children are inquisitive and confident. They engage enthusiastically in their learning and have well-developed communication and leadership skills that enable them to contribute meaningfully to wider experiences and decisions across the school.

• There is a highly effective and strategic approach to, and rationale for, the wide range of well-considered internal and external collaborative networks that are empowering the school to realise its vision and live out its five key values of inclusion, high quality learning and teaching, leadership, partnerships and achievement.

Work and Play

Personal development, self confidence, independence, creativity and self discipline are the building blocks for developing a strong self esteem. At Oakwood the opportunities we offer children help them grow in self worth.

Citizenship and taking personal responsibility for the choices they make are nurtured in our children from an early age through our extensive Personal Development and Mutual Understanding Programme. Our tailor made programme has been recognised as an exemplary by the South Eastern Education and Library Board.

At Oakwood, children learn to work both independently and as members of small groups or teams, putting their thinking skills to good use. We plan work using themes which interest children and link all subject areas. We listen when children tell us what they want to learn. Our plans take account of the different ways children like to learn and acknowledge their range of interests, talents and abilities.

Our children are actively encouraged to participate in the planning, monitoring and evaluating processes. All children are encouraged to strive for the highest individual achievement in every curriculum area. They leave Oakwood with a sound foundation for life long learning.

Our curriculum rationale is as follows:-

Language and Literacy

At the heart of every area of the curriculum, language and literacy is taught as a core subject which supports every aspect of work and ensures that tour children become excellent communicators. Our literacy standards have been recognised as 'Outstanding,' by the Education Training Inspectorate (ETI).

Mathematics and Numeracy

In every area of mathematics, including numeracy, practical activities support children to become confident and successful mathematicians who use thinking strategies and problem solving skills. Our Numeracy standards have been recognised as 'Very Good,' by the ETI.

Personal Development and Mutual Understanding

Children are encouraged to value their own particular tradition and to develop a respect for common culture and unique identity. Positive membership of a pluralist society is explored, providing opportunities for friendship by maintaining close links between the home, the school and the community at large. Children are encouraged to make sensible and healthy choices about what they eat and drink, their activities and about the environment they share. Our Healthy Eating Policies and Provision have been recognised as exemplary by the ETI.

The World Around Us (Science, Technology, History and Geography)

Children are challenged to ask questions about their own world and to seek answers using a wide range of resources. In this way they come to understand the wonders of the natural and physical world and how people, past and present, influence the way it is today. They are helped to understand their role in making the world a better and safer place through working together positively and looking after their environment. ETI requested that we work with them (along with three partner schools) on a pilot project, incorporating elements of WAU and ICT.

Physical Development and Movement

Supports the physical development, health and well being of our children. They learn a wide range of games skills, dance, athletics, swimming and aspects of gymnastics. An exciting range of resources inside and out makes developing fitness fun. The children make extensive use of our outdoor classroom and we employ a teaching member of staff with coaching qualifications to deliver bespoke PE sessions in-house.

The Arts

Music, Drama, Art and Design enrich and extend our children’s experience of each area of the curriculum. 

We are privileged to have teaching members of staff with music, drama, art and design specialisms to share their love and passion for these areas of the currciulum. 

Every year the children have opportunities to showcast their acting skills through class assemblies, school nativites and musical productions. 

Guitar, piano, tin whistle and flute sessions are available for P4-7 children. We also have junior and senior choirs which support school performances both in school and in the public forum.

Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

Every child has access to technology and the networked computer system which links every classroom. Interactive whiteboards, iPads, Surface Pros, floor robots, bee bots and pro bots, digital cameras and digital microphones are all used to enhance learning and develop high level skills.  Each class is encouraged to contribute to the school website.