Woodlands Academy

Visitors bring Easter story to life at Woodlands

Academy governors and members of the local church recently visited Year 4 pupils at Woodlands Academy to take part in a creative and reflective activity centred on the Easter story.

During the session, pupils worked together to unpack six different boxes, each representing a key moment from the Easter story as told in the Bible. Inside each box were carefully chosen props, including a keyring, a token, a scratch card, bunting, and a plastic egg, designed to help bring the story to life and encourage thoughtful reflection.

As the items were passed around, pupils discussed their meanings and connections to the Easter narrative. They were then asked to write an emotion or a sentence inspired by each box, helping them to engage more deeply with the themes and messages behind the story.

To conclude the activity, the children created their own ‘Easter in a box’ egg boxes, giving them a personal and memorable way to revisit and understand the story.

The initiative aimed to provide an interactive and meaningful approach to teaching pupils about Easter, combining storytelling, discussion, and hands-on creativity.

Rebecca Floyd, Key Stage Two teacher, said: “We were delighted to welcome our governors and local church members into the classroom.

“The ‘Easter in a Box’ activity was a fantastic way to help pupils engage with the Easter story in a thoughtful and memorable way.

“The use of props really brought the story to life, and it was wonderful to see the children reflecting so deeply and creatively on what they had learned.”

Pupils at Woodlands Academy get creative

Year 4 pupils at Woodlands Academy have been showcasing their creativity by designing and making their very own Easter jars.

Easter jars are decorative containers, typically made of glass or ceramic, used to store and display seasonal treats such as mini eggs, chocolates, and sweets. Popular during springtime, they often feature bunny-themed lids, pastel colours, and festive decorations.

As part of the project, pupils were challenged to first design their jars before bringing their ideas to life using Modroc – a plaster-impregnated gauze bandage ideal for quick and effective 3D modelling and sculpting.

After carefully constructing their jars, pupils then painted them with a wide variety of vibrant colours and imaginative designs. Each jar reflected the individuality and artistic flair of its creator, resulting in a fantastic collection of unique Easter-themed pieces.

Rebecca Floyd, Key Stage Two teacher, said: “This project has been a wonderful opportunity for pupils to explore their creativity and develop their design skills. They showed great enthusiasm throughout the process, and it has been fantastic to see their ideas come to life in such colourful and imaginative ways.”

Young voices impress through creative arts

Pupils at Woodlands Academy have taken part in an inspiring creative arts project led by three highly-respected artists from the Bristol Beacon Centre.

Over the past few weeks, the artists have visited the school on a weekly basis, working closely with pupils to explore their wishes, hopes and dreams for Stockwood, the community they proudly call home.

Through a series of engaging workshops, children were encouraged to express their ideas creatively using a range of artistic techniques.

The project brought together pupils from across the school in groups: Year 1 and 2, Year 3 and 4, and Year 5. Each group developed their own unique pieces based on their shared visions for the future of their community.

The project culminated in a series of performances during the final week, where pupils confidently showcased their work.

They performed brilliantly, demonstrating exceptional teamwork, creativity and imagination. Pupils’ enthusiasm and confidence shone through as they brought their ideas to life, making the performances both moving and memorable for all who attended.

Rebecca Floyd, Key Stage Two teacher, said: "It has been incredible to see our pupils grow in confidence and creativity throughout this project.

“They have worked collaboratively to express meaningful ideas about their community, and the final performances were a true reflection of their amazing talent.”

Pupils discover early coding skills

This week in computing, Year 1 and Year 2 pupils at Woodlands Academy explored how to use Bee-Bots.

A Bee-Bot is an award-winning, bee-shaped programmable floor robot designed for young children (primarily ages 4–7) to learn basic coding, sequencing and directional language in a fun and engaging way.

During the lesson, pupils learned how to programme the robots by giving them precise step-by-step commands. Through this activity, they developed important skills including sequencing, problem solving and computational thinking, while also building confidence in early coding concepts.

Working together, pupils planned routes and tested their instructions, learning how to debug and improve their commands when the Bee-Bots did not move as expected.

Laura Jane Dowling, Year 1 and Year 2 teacher, said: “Introducing Bee-Bots is a fantastic way for our youngest pupils to begin understanding the basics of coding.

“The children loved giving instructions and seeing the robots follow their commands. It’s wonderful to watch them develop problem-solving skills, teamwork and confidence while having so much fun learning.”

Pupils become detective historians

Year 3 and 4 pupils at Woodlands Academy recently took part in an exciting, combined lesson that brought together history and investigative skills, turning pupils into ‘detective historians’ for the day.

During the session, pupils explored a range of historical sources and information about the Gunpowder Plot. They carefully examined the evidence, asked thoughtful questions, and made informed judgements based on what they discovered.

The lesson also provided a valuable opportunity for pupils from both year groups to work together. They demonstrated excellent collaboration skills, supporting one another and sharing ideas as they pieced together their historical findings.

A spokesperson for Woodlands Academy said: “This lesson was a fantastic example of how we bring learning to life at Woodlands Academy.

“Pupils showed great curiosity, teamwork and critical thinking, and it was wonderful to see them working so confidently together across year groups.”

Woodlands Academy pupils embrace outdoor creativity

Nursery and Reception children at Woodlands Academy made the most of the recent sunny weather by taking their learning outdoors for a fun and creative session.

Pupils enjoyed exploring mark-making using vibrant, colourful chalks, transforming outdoor spaces into canvases full of imagination. They delighted in drawing around each other, experimenting with shapes and patterns, and sharing their creative ideas with friends.

The activity not only encouraged artistic expression but also supported collaboration and communication, as children worked together and celebrated each other’s creations.

A spokesperson for the academy said: “It has been wonderful to see our youngest pupils so engaged and inspired by the change in weather.
“Outdoor learning provides fantastic opportunities for creativity, teamwork and self-expression, and the children thoroughly enjoyed bringing their ideas to life with chalk.”

Learners at Woodlands explore the science of rainbows

Learners from Year 6 at Woodlands Academy have been developing their love of science by discovering how rainbows are created.

As part of a hands-on scientific investigation, pupils used torches and prisms to demonstrate how white light can be split into the visible colour spectrum. Through this engaging experiment, learners observed first-hand how light refracts and separates into the vibrant colours of a rainbow.

The activity encouraged teamwork, critical thinking and curiosity, as pupils worked collaboratively to ask questions, test their ideas and examine their findings in detail.

By exploring the science behind a natural phenomenon, the class deepened their understanding while building essential investigative skills.

A spokesperson for the academy said: “We are incredibly proud of our Year 6 learners for their enthusiasm and curiosity.

“Practical experiments like this bring science to life, helping pupils to understand complex concepts in an exciting and memorable way.

“It’s wonderful to see them working together, asking thoughtful questions and developing a genuine passion for discovery.”

Pupils embark on imaginary Galapagos expedition

Year 4 pupils at Woodlands Academy went on an exciting imaginary expedition to the fascinating world of the Galapagos Islands, where they investigated the wide range of animal species that live there.

During their exploration, pupils encountered a strange animal that had never been seen by them before, a dragon. This creature was inspired by the marine iguana, the world’s only sea-going lizard, which is native to the Galapagos Islands. Known for its prehistoric appearance, dark skin, spiky crest and remarkable ability to dive into the ocean to feed on marine algae, the marine iguana captured pupils’ imaginations.

The expedition will now form the foundation of pupils’ writing for the rest of the term, helping them to develop descriptive language, creativity and scientific understanding through engaging, cross-curricular learning.

A spokesperson for Woodlands Academy said: “This imaginative project has sparked real excitement among our pupils.

“By combining geography, science and creative writing, the children are developing a deeper understanding of the natural world while building confidence and enthusiasm in their learning.”

Young historians debate the past

Learners from Year 3 at Woodlands Academy have been working hard to develop their speaking and listening skills through an engaging and thought-provoking history lesson.

As part of their learning, pupils took part in a lively debate exploring whether King James I should or should not have become King of England in 1603.

The debate encouraged children to examine historical evidence, listen carefully to different viewpoints, and confidently explain their own ideas.

By questioning the past, sharing opinions, and justifying their reasoning, learners are beginning to think like real historians while strengthening key communication skills.

Year 3 teacher Jasmin Tsun said: “The children showed fantastic enthusiasm and confidence during the debate.

“They listened respectfully to one another, used evidence to support their ideas, and demonstrated real curiosity about history. It was wonderful to see them thinking critically and expressing their views so clearly.”

Pupils at Woodlands Academy explore shapes

Year 1 pupils at Woodlands Academy have been enjoying an exciting maths activity focused on combining part shapes to create whole shapes.

As part of their learning, pupils explored how different shapes fit together by using trial and error to assemble a variety of fruit and vegetable shapes.

The activity encouraged problem-solving, teamwork, and perseverance, while making learning both engaging and fun.

Pupils worked enthusiastically to match the correct parts, developing their understanding of how smaller components can be combined to form complete objects.

A spokesperson for the academy said: “This activity gave our Year 1 pupils a fantastic opportunity to learn through play.

“By experimenting with different shapes and combinations, they were able to build confidence, develop key mathematical skills, and most importantly, enjoy their learning.”

School council elections at Woodlands Academy

Learners from Year 6 at Woodlands Academy recently took part in school council elections, gaining first-hand experience of the democratic process.

As part of the elections, pupils prepared and delivered speeches to their classmates, explaining why they felt they would be good representatives and what they could contribute to the school council.

Each speech was read aloud to the class, helping pupils develop confidence, communication skills and an understanding of leadership.

Following the speeches, pupils took part in an official vote to decide who should be elected as members of the school council, ensuring that every learner had a voice in the decision-making process.

A spokesperson for the academy said: “Taking part in the school council elections is a valuable learning experience for our pupils.
“It helps them to understand democracy in action, develop their confidence, and recognise the importance of listening to others and having their say.

“We are very proud of the maturity and enthusiasm shown by all of our Year 6 learners.”

Pupils enjoy ‘fun and inclusive’ cricket session

Year 4 pupils at Woodlands Academy recently took part in an exciting and engaging cricket session delivered by the Gloucestershire Cricket Foundation (GCF).

The session gave pupils the opportunity to explore the sport of cricket while developing key physical skills, teamwork and confidence. Pupils worked hard throughout the activities, showing excellent collaboration, communication and sportsmanship during gameplay.

The GCF is a charitable organisation responsible for developing and promoting recreational cricket across Bristol, Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire.

It works to increase participation by delivering school programmes, supporting local cricket clubs and creating inclusive cricket opportunities in community, urban and rural settings for people of all ages and abilities.

Pupils thoroughly enjoyed learning new skills and applying them in fun, practical activities, with many showing enthusiasm and determination throughout the session.

A spokesperson for Woodlands Academy said: “Our pupils had a fantastic time working with the Gloucestershire Cricket Foundation.

“The session not only introduced them to cricket but also helped them develop important teamwork and communication skills in a fun and inclusive environment.”

Woodlands Academy would like to thank the Gloucestershire Cricket Foundation for providing such an inspiring and enjoyable experience for pupils.