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The Partnership of Birchwood and Holbrook Schools

The Partnership of
Birchwood & Holbrook
Primary Schools

Birchwood’s Ethos for Learning

We are Passionate About Learning

Quite simply, it is our intention that every pupil, irrelevant of needs, develops such a passion for learning that they seek out and embrace amazing opportunities to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding in school, at home and in the wider environment. We want all our pupils to experience a wide and varied curriculum, which leaves them excitedly seeking further opportunities to continue their learning journey. Ambitious curriculum goals ensure exemplary pupil achievement.

At Birchwood our curriculum journey is driven by:

  • Our own bespoke Wheel of Wisdom curriculum.
  • Key literary focus and text rich curriculum.
  • High quality core texts that are challenging selected from world famous children’s literature.
  • Interconnectedness within subjects and between subjects so that pupils know more and remember more.
  • Real life purpose to learning experiences wherever possible.
  • Methodology = immersion + absorption of skills + practice skills + apply and refine.
  • Sequential curriculum building towards end curriculum goals, built within real life/wider opportunities that inspire and challenge our pupils (e.g. Milsoms persuasive writing Y6 microbusiness, DEFRA approved egg production unit, Birchwood bees, Suffolk Day, masterclass program, Personalised Learning Plans in every subject).

Birchwood Key Strengths – 25-26

  • Impact -2025 EYFS/Y1 PSC/ Y4 MTC in line or above 2025 national outcomes, despite complex pupil groups in EY / Y1 cohorts. KS2 Y6 SATs Reading, Writing and Maths ‘at expected’ all above national outcomes. Y6 Reading, writing, Maths all well above national at EXS and GDS. 
  • Personal development curriculum enhanced through pupil voice opportunities at local, wider and national level – Birchwood life skill curriculum starts September ’25. 
  • Behaviour and attendance strong – enhanced through the introduction of OPAL.

Birchwood Key Developments – 25-26

  • Raise pupil achievement in maths in Key Stage 1, so that it is in line with outcomes in Key Stage 2. 
  • Raise pupil achievement at GDS level in writing and GAPS in line with school target. 
  • Ensure pupil who have SEND/ PP achieve in line with their peers nationally in reading – embrace CPD – faster reader KS2 and Metacognition whole school.