Children come into Willow Grove School at any time during their school life and at any time during the school year. Assessment and the use of developmental information is vital in ensuring that the children are taught effectively, from their starting points, and that gaps in learning are addressed.

The academic curriculum at Willow Grove is supported in the following ways:

• Adapted to suit the needs of our learners.
• Higher than average staff to children ratios, to support with learning and interventions.
• Underpinned by our school values, Be Safe, Be Kind, Be Positive.
• A whole school attachment and trauma-friendly approach to communication and relationships.
• A curriculum that incorporates relationship-based learning.
• Daily PSHE lessons and use of the Jigsaw scheme of work.
• Access to class based structured play incorporated into our morning routine.
• Access to a School Counsellor.
• Opportunities to participate in Theraplay.
• Pastoral support from our experienced Pastoral Lead.
• Explicit teaching of social situations, such as during meal times, play times and less structured times.
• Use of data to support the emotional and mental health development of our children.
• An enhanced physical education offer to support the physical co-ordination and the development of core body strength.
• Support from a Speech and Language Therapist to ensure we provide a communication-friendly environment.
• Increased access to paediatric services.

RE is taught across the school; it has been adapted from the Jigsaw Scheme of work and tailored to suit the needs of the pupils in our school.

The main reading scheme used in school follows the Sounds Write phonics. This is supplemented with a wide range of other reading schemes to ensure that children are engaged with the reading process and are given materials which will motivate them.

Sounds-Write is a quality first phonics programme. Its purpose is to provide classroom professionals with a comprehensive system with which to teach reading, spelling and writing. In September 2026 we will be moving to Read Write Inc.