A top class Curriculum is our goal
Woodcrest Academy’s focus is to provide a high-quality, mainstream education that empowers every learner to achieve their full potential and attain the best possible results. Our learners follow the National Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS), a comprehensive and well-structured framework used by the Department of Education. We have found the CAPS curriculum to be an excellent guide, offering clear and detailed instruction that allows us to tailor our teaching to meet the unique needs of each learner. While adhering to the curriculum, we subtly adjust our approach to ensure it aligns with the individual learning styles and strengths of our students.
To stay in step with the ever-evolving times, we integrate technology into our teaching, equipping learners with the skills they need for the future. Our subject specialists, who bring expertise and passion to each subject, teach with deep knowledge and commitment. This creates an environment where learners develop a thirst for information and a love for learning.
By following the CAPS curriculum, our students are well-prepared to transition seamlessly between schools, ensuring continuity in their education. At Woodcrest, we inspire our learners to become curious, confident, and lifelong learners.
Teaching Approach
Woodcrest Academy caters for various learning abilities in a carefully structured small-class environment that enables teachers to identify and develop each learner’s strengths and weaknesses. All students are encouraged to perform to the very best of their ability, and extension activities are provided to challenge learners who excel. Interventions are also tailored for children who need assistance to master specific skills. Teacher Aides help provide individual attention where needed. Small class sizes also enable the school to accept a limited number of students with specific learning challenges, who nevertheless have the potential to attain mainstream standards.
Homework
At Woodcrest Academy, we understand the pressures that parents face with full-time jobs and busy schedules. We also believe in the importance of allowing children to simply be children, with time to rest, play, and recharge for the following day. That’s why we keep our homework programme limited, ensuring that learners don’t feel overwhelmed and can enjoy quality time with their families in the evenings.
Our homework is designed to reinforce what learners have already covered in class and helps them practice essential skills in a balanced way. The focus is on daily reading practice in both Afrikaans and English, as we know that regular reading is crucial for developing language skills and fostering a love of learning. In addition, learners will engage with a few mathematical concepts to further strengthen their understanding of this important subject.
The homework is intended to be a guided activity with parents, allowing you to track your child’s progress while supporting their learning in a relaxed and positive environment. We ensure that the total homework time should take no longer than half an hour each evening, giving your child enough time to rest, play, and reset for the next day. For those who need extra support, we offer an aftercare where learners can complete their homework with guidance and monitoring.
Assessment
At Woodcrest Academy, we use a variety of approaches to assessment to ensure that each learner’s understanding of the content is accurately evaluated, catering to different learning styles. For learners in Grades 1 to 3, assessment is continuous, based on their daily work and regular testing. At this level, formal examinations are not required, allowing for a more flexible and ongoing approach to monitoring progress.
From Grade 4 onwards, examinations and regular testing become key components of assessment, along with projects, research tasks, and oral assessments. These diverse methods offer learners multiple ways to demonstrate their mastery of the material, ensuring that all aspects of their knowledge are properly assessed.
Termly reports provide a valuable tool for tracking learner progress, allowing teachers and parents to identify areas for remediation or extension in a timely manner. This comprehensive approach ensures that every learner’s progress is closely monitored, helping them reach their full potential in a supportive and effective learning environment.
Learners who our very skilled teachers have identified as having learning barriers, are immediately referred to a professional educational entity for assessment and, once feedback is provided, learning programs are immediately designed to accommodate these additional requirements.
