Curriculum
Curriculum
Chestnut Park Primary School is committed to developing a love of learning through a curriculum in which children are inspired, excited and challenged. If the children enjoy their learning experiences, they will want to engage in these learning experiences again and again.
Dream- Achieve- Inspire
Our philosophy is simple; if children enjoy learning, they will set themselves aspirational goals or dreams. Within an exciting, challenging and creative environment, children will achieve these goals whilst inspiring each other and driving their learning forward. Our ‘Dream-Achieve-Inspire’ philosophy towards the curriculum creates this community of learning.
Our Chestnut Park Primary School Curriculum
At Chestnut Park Primary School, we use a thematic approach to learning based on the children's interests. We combine International Primary Curriculum Units together to ensure full coverage of a broad and balanced Curriculum. It is a comprehensive curriculum with a clear process of learning and with specific learning goals for every subject, for personal learning and for international mindedness. As we combine units to the children’ interests and needs, we ensure full and deep coverage of the National Curriculum. National Curriculum Coverage is detailed within the attached links.
Approach to our Curriculum
 | The GLF Curriculum is an interdisciplinary, retrieval based curriculum which is designed to enable knowledge through a continuous spiral based approach that revisists key language and ensures reteival is taught explicitly. This is based upon the National Curriculum for Art, DT, Geography and History and Science has been adopted by all GLF schools. | |
 | Our English curriculum follows The Write Stuff Approach, which supports the development of oracy for all children from Reception through to Year 6. Our reading curriculum links closely with what the children are learning and where possible is intertwined with the writing. For children who are secure in phonics, we teach whole class reading sessions. More information about our English Writing Curriculum can be found at the bottom of the page. | |
 | Mathematics learning follows the NCETM spines. More information can be found at the bottom of the page. Maths lessons apply a Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract methodology in which Mathematical concepts and procedures are taught through the use of physical objects and pictorial representations, alongside abstract equations. To develop our children’s thinking and reasoning skills, a discursive approach is strongly encouraged with the emphasis placed on the importance of children explaining their ideas and observations. Problem solving and reasoning activities are a key part of every lesson and children are always supported by a wide range of resources. We also use Mastering Number to support basic skills through 15 minute sessions daily in EYFS and KS1. | |
 | Phonics and Reading - We use the synthetic phonics programme Read Write Inc. This is a very structured system which allows teachers to accurately and confidently assess pupils' phonic awareness at each stage of their learning. Whilst it is rigorous, it is also fun. Children learn new sounds with Fred the Frog and learn to read with their peers at a stage appropriate level. Please see the phonics link for full details. | |
 | Our Computing curriculum has been developed by all 5 Chalklands schools based upon the National Curriculum and can be found at the bottom of the page. Technology is changing the lives of us all daily on a global scale. By delivering a high-quality computing curriculum here at Chestnut Park, we inspire & equip the next generation to participate in the rapidly changing world. Computing skills and computational thinking are a major factor in enabling children to become resilient, creative and critical digital citizens, understanding their role and responsibilities in the digital landscape. | |
 | At Chestnut Park Primary School we use THRIVE, an emotional well being and social skills development assessment programme, to personalise our PSHE to the needs of the children. This works in unison with the JIGSAW PSHE programme which we use to teach our wider PSHE lessons. PSHE lessons include a unit to ensure all children are taught the statutory requirements for RSE. The RSE policy can be viewed by clicking this link. Our full Safeguard Curriculum can be read by clicking here. More information can be found at the bottom of the page. | |
 | Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) are based upon the teaching of Spanish linked to topic based learning and is developed specifically for Chestnut Park by Language Angels. Each KS2 class will have a Spanish lesson on a weekly basis. Taught through song and practical lessons children will begin to recognise and learn Spanish greetings, colours, days of the week and months of the year before building on to talking in full sentences. | |
 | Music is taught using Charanga - Please see the document at the bottom of the page for a sheme overview and to see how this is embedded in our curriculum. There are also documents specific to KS1 and KS2 to help you understand the content more clearly. The Scheme supports all the requirements of the national curriculum. The scheme provides an integrated, practical, exploratory and child-led approach to musical learning which our children really enjoy.The interrelated dimensions of music weave through the units to encourage the development and progression of musical skills as the learning progresses through listening and appraising, differing musical activities (including creating and exploring) and performing. | |
 | RE is taught using the Croydon Agreed syllabus - Click here to find out more. Chesnut Park's RE curriculum takes into account the teachings and practices of a wide range of religions appropriate to the children in our school community. As well as discrete RE lessons in every year group, topics and festivals arise in assemblies and other opportunities across our curriculum. Through the use of real life artefacts, trips to local places of worship, inviting visitors/speakers into school from various faith groups, children develop their curiosity and are given lots of opportunities to ask questions. | |
 | PE is currently being developed to follow Get Set 4 PE, which provides our children with a range of different sports (such as netball, hockey, tag rugby and tennis), dance, gymnastics and athletics. Chestnut Park also continues to follow Merton PE SOW. We have some specialist coaches from We Make Footballers to deliver outdoor PE learning and Tennis coaches from The Tim Henman fooundation. Pupils in KS2 will have weekly swimming lessons for a term, at a local pool, where our goal is for all children to be able to confidently swim above National Curriculum expectations. By developing a positive attitude and an interest in a wide range of physical activities, it provides children with the skills they need to continue with their interests out of school. More information about how PE is implemented at Chestnut Park and across the Chalkland's cluster can be found below. |
If you have any queries about the school curriculum, please contact Miss R. Poonian through the school office: enquiries@chestsnutparkschool.org
