Phronesis: How we teach practical wisdom for life-long success

What is phronesis?

Phronesis is a moral and intellectual virtue, rooted in a natural and human capacity “to do the right thing, in the right place, at the right time and in the right way.” This stems from the Greek word translated as ‘prudence’ or ‘practical wisdom’ in Greek, which conveys a general sense of knowing the proper behaviours in all situations.

What do we know about phronesis?

Phronesis is learned through instruction and not practice. When learning a set of values (or virtues), the most important part is to use them, rehearse them and build them into your character You cannot do this without phronesis. According to Aristotle, “having one’s heart in the right place’ is not good enough; being a good person requires a kind of practical intelligence as well as a good disposition.”

Phronesis is not a virtue acquired through an education or through books. It is a virtue that is learned and built on from social interactions and real-life experience. At Woodlands Primary School, we know that phronesis takes a long time to become an embedded part of our character, possibly even into adulthood, but we start the journey as soon they start at our school. School is much more than academic success, and so we build deliberate opportunities into the days, weeks and years and Woodlands Primary School to allow children to have real life, practical, hands on experiences to develop phronesis as part of their character.

How do we do this at Woodlands Primary School?

Forest Schools Rehearsing the values of the school in a practical and creative way Zones of Regulation Knowing what to do with how you are feeling and how to behave in a range of different situations Enrichment Using new and old skills in wider opportunities Hands on Learning Building phronesis into the curriculum by applying knowledge to outcomes

At Woodlands Primary School we offer a wide range of enrichment opportunities. These are built both within the school day, but also after school should the children choose to extend their horizons.

Planned Enrichment 2021/22	Cycle 1	Cycle 2	Cycle 3	Cycle 4
Whole School   (New Jan 2022: Children’s University)	Flourish Enrichment  (each Friday)   First Aid	Flourish Enrichment (each Friday)   Winter Wonderland: Singing Showcase	Flourish Enrichment (each Friday)	Flourish Enrichment (each Friday)   Outdoor Week
2FEL	Mighty Trees Award	Mighty Trees Award	Mighty Trees Award	Mighty Trees Award
Nursery	Welly Wednesdays   Mighty Trees Award	Welly Wednesdays   Mighty Trees Award	Welly Wednesdays   Mighty Trees Award	Welly Wednesdays   Mighty Trees Award
Rec	Mighty Trees Award	Mighty Trees Award	Forest School     Mighty Trees Award	Visit to Curious Kids (Role Play)   Mighty Trees Award
Y1	Forest School		Visit to Cleethorpes on the train	Fieldwork Study: The Ancient Woodland
Y2	Forest School   Visit to Bishops House (Queens of England)			Fieldwork study: Graves Park
Y3		Forest School	Visit to Cresswell Crags	Sports Skills Enrichment   Fieldwork Study: The River Porter
Y4		Forest School	Sports Skills Enrichment   Visit to Brigantium Roman Fort	Fieldwork Study: Padley Gorge
Y5		Sports Skills Enrichment   Visit to Magna Centre	Forest School	Fieldwork Study: Castleton   Residential Visit: Eyam
Y6	Sports Skills Enrichment   Visit to Kelham Island (WW2)	Transition Visits: Secondary Schools	Bikeability	Fieldwork Study: Matlock   Residential Visit: Thornbridge   Forest School

Currently, we are offering the following after school clubs:

Autumn Term 1 

Monday - Y5/6 Football with Mr Short (£1)

Tuesday - Rec/Y1/Y2/Y3/Y4 Tennis (£3)     KS2 Street Dance (£3)

Wednesday - KS2 Athletics (£2) 

Thursday - Rec-Y6 S14 choir (£1)      Y2/3 Forest Skills (£1)     KS2 Basketball (£1)  Y4-6 Cycling (£2)

Autumn Term 2

Monday - Y4/5/6 Football (£1)

Tuesday - Rec - Y4 Tennis £3

Wednesday - Y2-6 Basketball (£1) and Rec-Y4 Musical Theatre £2.50

Thursday - Y2-6 Gymastics (£1)   Rec-Y6 S14 Voices £1    Arts and Crafts £1   Y3-6 Street Dance £2.50

Spring Term 3

To be confirmed ASAP

If your child would like to attend one of the clubs, please sign up via ParentPay.