Our Curriculum

Curriculum Subjects

The National Curriculum is the basis for most subjects in the Chantry curriculum. We use the RE Agreed Syllabus (Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire and Luton 2019) to plan for Religious Education and we have a bespoke curriculum covering all aspects of PSHCE.

High Quality Literature

Reading and the love of literature is at the heart of everything we do and so we have a ‘Book Based Curriculum’. Children are provided with high quality children’s literature as they develop their reading skills. We develop and enrich children’s vocabulary and promote a love of reading as a key skill for life-long learning.

Experiential Learning

Children can be provided with experiential opportunities to be inspired and challenged, to experience excitement and adventure, to build cultural capital, and to learn about people, community and the wider world.

Every Child Can

At Chantry, we have established an ethos and philosophy where every child can achieve excellence. Teachers and support staff collaborate to provide for children’s needs and build their confidence and aspirations.

Long Term Curriculum Map - Reception to Year 6

Art & Design

Art & Design

I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way – things I had no words for.
Georgia O’Keeffe (20^th century American artist)
Art and Design at Chantry Primary Academy
The opportunity to communicate through art and design is important at Chantry, we provide our pupils with the opportunity to develop and extend their artistic skills as well as express creativity. We teach the art curriculum through our books making links to people, places and events in history. The children are proud to share their work with each other and all of our school community.

We recognise that the disruption caused by the Covid 19 pandemic has created some gaps in learning. Teachers use the progression maps to identify previous knowledge and skills which may have been missed; in order to ensure that gaps are closed.
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Computing

Computing

Everybody should learn to program a computer, because it teaches you how to think.
Steve Jobs, former CEO and creator of Apple

Using MacBooks for Digital Music Creation
Here at Chantry we recognise the importance of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) and Computing, because we are all very aware that this is a central life skill which our pupils will need not only throughout their education but also in their future careers.
With the continual rapid rate of technological advances we feel it is essential to keep pace with these changes to ensure that we for fill our school motto ’Learning for Life’.
We are preparing children for jobs that don’t yet exist!
Using iPads for
phonics Work
Computing is not just confined to stand alone lessons but is inextricably linked into our creative and book based curriculum. We have invested in different types of hardware, such as Apple Macs, iPads, laptops, tablets, Chromebooks and Bee-Bots to ensure our pupils gain a varied skills base to ensure they can apply their knowledge in different ways.
We use software such as; Garageband, Korg Gadget, Active Learn, TTRockstars, Spelling Shed, myOn and many more, which have created opportunities to extend learning beyond the confines of the school walls.
Digital Leaders
Our Digital Leaders
Each year we elect digital leaders in years 4, 5 and 6. These pupils have applied and been successfully appointed to share their knowledge and confidence in using Computing equipment and programs which should benefit both their peers and staff.
They are given classroom responsibility for ICT equipment and are learning how to support peers and adults with basic troubleshooting. Moreover, they will work closely with the school council members, peer mentors and the anti-bullying action team to support peers with E-Safety and raise awareness around cyber-bullying.
My mind feels like it is going to explode!
Joshua, Year 5 Digital Leader, when looking at
some early computers at NCM
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Design Technology

Design Technology

Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Design and Technology is knowing which mistakes to keep
Our Design Technology curriculum develops children's creativity, decision-making and critical thinking skills. Understanding the world around them through exploring design, mechanism, engineering and existing products enables the children to evaluate and improve the world we live in. We aim to spark a love of STEM subjects in our pupils and prepare them to solve problems that we haven't even discovered yet!
We recognise that the disruption caused by the Covid 19 pandemic has created some gaps in learning. Teachers use the progression maps to identify previous knowledge and skills which may have been missed; in order to ensure that gaps are closed.
Click here for more details.
English

English

English is crucial to the success of pupils in both their career aspirations and their quality of life. Strong English skills are encouraged at Chantry and our book-based curriculum continues to make a huge impact on SATs results. The ability to read, write and articulate ideas are promoted in other areas of the curriculum.
World Book Days, Book Weeks, theatre productions, WOW Days, Fantastic Finishes, Storytellers and many more events enrich our children’s understanding and knowledge of their world. Books in the curriculum have been specifically chosen to broaden pupils’ thoughts and ideas of different cultures and periods of time. The book-based curriculum has put English into context and learning has become more meaningful to both teachers and pupils.
Phonics – We use Jolly Phonics to introduce the children to letter sounds and early reading
Reading – We encompasses everything we do, to ensure that the children understand what they are reading we use the reading domains (VIPERS)
Writing – We are a Talk for Writing school
Spelling – We use the principles of No Nonsense spelling to teach spelling patterns
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Geography

Geography

Without Geography, you’re nowhere.
Jimmy Buffet
The world around us is always changing and at Chantry, this means our learning and teaching within geography is also always adapting. Geography at Chantry aims to balance the teaching of key geographical skills (drawing maps, orienteering and completing field studies) and developing knowledge and understanding of the human and physical world. We encourage questions and curiosity and understand the need for children to explore and investigate the world around them. This starts with our school grounds, then in our local environment and continues to include trips to various different locations.
We know that it is important to provide children with first hand experiences as we all use a wide range of resources and technology. Our fun and exciting curriculum enables children to become Geographers for the future.
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History

History

We are not makers of history. We are made by history.
Martin Luther King Jr
Chantry Primary Academy allows the children a vast variety of learning experiences within history. These learning experiences take many forms as we understand that for children to succeed in subjects such as history, they have to be engaged and engrossed in the topic. This is done through our book based curriculum which allows the children to link what they read in their class text to the learning they do in class. The class texts chosen allow the children to advance their understanding of the development of Britain and the wider world. We understand the importance of children having a firm understanding of chronology (times and dates) as well as the ability to explore and enhance their enquiry skills.
Our Great Fire of London
Recreation
All history based teaching at Chantry is supported by making links to other subjects within the national curriculum including Geography, ICT and English. This allows the children to apply the learning they do within history lessons and create diary entries, letters and historically accurate stories. The learning of history is often enhanced with a WOW day or Fantastic Finish which dedicates quality time to bringing history alive for the children, including trips to Hampton Court and Hendon Air Museum. History is also bought to life in the classroom with visits from guests such as a World War Two evacuee or a recreation of the Great Fire of London.
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Italian
Italian

If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.
Nelson Mandela
At Chantry, we teach Italian as a foreign language. We believe that learning a foreign language at an early age opens children's minds to language learning and broadens their understanding of grammatical structures. We believe there is a specific advantage to learning Italian because it has its roots in Latin. Because about 60% of the English language is Latin-based, outside of studying Latin itself, Italian can be a major advantage to our children in understanding the root of the words we use in our daily lives.
Click here to read more about how UK schools have adopted the Italian government funded lessons across schools. We believe that these lessons will be beneficial to our students in the near future, which is shown by the UK government's foreign language as a GCSE target being 90%.
Our pupils come from a broad range of language backgrounds and experiences with many of our pupils having English as an additional language and some children able to speak multiple languages. We believe that the best language teaching is done with passion and commitment to the subject and we are extremely proud to have a long standing relationship with the Italian Consulate who provide us with an Italian teacher, Maestra Caterino (Mrs Caterino Serena), who brings Italian to life for our pupils.
Children are taught Italian for one session weekly. Different topics are introduced via the use of songs, videos, presentations, flashcards, games and through TPR (total physical response activities).
An important and integral part of all lessons are:
- Routines, songs (Yr1-5) and games
- Understanding and using simple Italian directions and instructions
- Asking simple questions about classroom and personal life
- Encouraging children to be able to interact with other children and the teacher
Children also have the opportunity to discover also about Italian culture, festivals and celebrations including Il Natale (Christmas), La Befana, Carnevale, La Pasqua (Easter), Pinocchio (Italian Fairy Tale).
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Maths

Maths

Here at Chantry, teachers and children are now using Power Maths (a textbook based scheme) to help them support their learning. The school has been using this as a key tool to help children develop a deep understanding of mathematical concepts from years 1 to 6. This is similar for our reception classes, who are provided with opportunities to explore maths within both the indoor and outdoor learning environments. In teaching for mastery, the focus is upon deepening understanding, not accelerating learning.
In addition to this, and to ensure they are ready to access further curriculum content, teachers also use the Ready to progress criteria (RTP) to support their planning and lesson delivery.
Chantry also benefits from having a teacher who is also a primary maths mastery specialist. Mrs Phee leads a Teacher Research Group for local schools in partnership with the Enigma maths hub and the NCETM (National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics) and will support other schools across the local area in developing the mastery approach with them in addition to working with classes within our school.
As part of this, teachers at Chantry work collaboratively with their colleagues and children to develop a structured lesson format that works well with our chosen Power Maths teacher materials alongside the RTP criteria. Teachers regularly observe mastery lessons and share good practice with others in school.
The mastery approach at Chantry allows children to work together as a class on their fluency skills at very regular intervals. Some children will need further support with this area depending on their individual need and either the class teacher or teaching assistant will provide that support where appropriate. Children will then progress to an activity that allows them to consolidate their learning and apply their work in a new way. Children who are then confident and able to do so will then move to a problem that will give them the opportunity to work on their reasoning and application skills.
Mastery is for all of our children and these carefully designed tasks allow pupils to take time to practise key skills before deepening understanding with further challenges from the Power Maths practice books, textbooks or additional materials.
In addition to class-based activities and when circumstances allow, we also take part in the West Area partnership Times table challenge, as well as other maths competitions run by local businesses (Explore Learning for example). In previous years we have had finalists from Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 in the times table challenge.
Intent Implementation and Impact in Mathematics at Chantry
Subject on a Page - Mathematics
Key Vocabulary List Year 1.pdf
Key Vocabulary List Year 2.pdf
Key Vocabulary List Year 3.pdf
Key Vocabulary List Year 4.pdf
Key Vocabulary List Year 5.pdf
Key Vocabulary List Year 6.pdf
Music
Music

My idea is that there is music in the air, music all around us; the world is full of it, and you simply take as much as you require.
Edward Elgar
Music is Fun!
Our creative curriculum provides opportunities for children to create, play, perform and enjoy music, to develop the skills, to appreciate a wide variety of musical forms and to begin to make judgements about the quality of music.
Music is a unique way of communicating that can inspire and motivate children. It is a channel for individual expression, and it can play an important part in the personal development of people. Music reflects the culture and society we live in, and so the teaching of music enables children to better understand the world they live in.
Music fosters team working, playing and singing as part of a small group or whole class means you are part of an integrated team promoting the importance of working harmoniously with others.
Curriculum Coverage
Music is taught using an online programme called `Charanga` which is linked with the national curriculum. Charanga is designed by experts to cover all areas of the music curriculum and gives teachers the confidence to deliver a balance of theory and practical lessons.
All classes have access to singing songs using the `Sing Up` site, where there is a huge selection of songs that can be linked with our curriculum or just fun to sing. Chantry is very proud to have the silver sing up award.
Singing is a vital part of our curriculum and can be accessed by everyone, all ages and all abilities.
Speciality Year Groups
Year 2 children have a weekly vocal coach session, this teaches the children how to use their voices properly and learn all about different types of music.
Year 3 recorder lessons - all the children participate in learning some musical terms and skills as well as the joy of playing an instrument.
Year 5 children have digital music lessons, combining modern day technology with music.
Every week the whole school have a singing assembly with a singing coach from Luton music service. This provides a unique and fun session to celebrate singing together.
Extra Curriculum
A Violin Lesson
Specialist lessons are available to students from Year 3 onwards. Lessons take part in small groups. These include:
- Guitar
- Violin
- Cello
- Flute
- Clarinet
- Trumpet
- Horn
- Trombone
- Percussion
Chantry also offers opportunities to share musical experiences, A summer spectacular concert usually takes place at the end of the school year where all our performers can take part demonstrating their talents, skills and love of music.
Opportunities for singing in a choir are also usually available, this gives children an opportunity to learn more challenging songs and attend concerts to sing with other schools. Once a year they also have the opportunity to sing with thousands of children in the Young Voices Choir.
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Physical Education

Physical Education

‘Physical fitness is not only the one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity’
John F. Kennedy
At Chantry Primary Academy, we believe that Physical Education (P.E.) is essential to the development of the whole child, through the use and knowledge of the body and its movement. It provides the foundation for a healthy lifestyle and promotes character building, cooperation and self-esteem. Consideration will be given to those with special educational needs, and those who are high performing. We acknowledge that many of our children are involved in physical activities outside the Academy; we commend this and recognise their achievements. We also encourage children to participate in the extracurricular activities which are offered.
PE Overview
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Religious Education

Religious Education

The whole purpose of religion is to facilitate love and compassion, patience, tolerance, humility and forgiveness.
Dalai Lama
The Luton and Bedfordshire Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education gives a clear outline of what should be covered within the teaching of Religious Education and all our children at Chantry Academy learn about religions within and beyond their local community.
At Chantry, we work with our local community to help deepen our learning about different cultures and religions. Our children and parents are welcomed to share the practices and stories from their faiths and where possible this supports our learning from our book based curriculum.
Starting from the Early Years, the children visit local places of worship to help deepen their understanding about the beliefs of others. Our teaching of RE also links in well with many of our values including tolerance, faith and harmony.
For many of our pupils, faith/ religion is an important part of their lives and forms part of their identity. It is our aim as a school to enrich our pupils' curriculum by learning from each other as well as from teachers and experts alike. This helps us as a community value and respect those with different ideals to our own and as school we feel this is an important life skill.
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Science

Science

Science is about exploring, and the only way to uncover the secrets of the universe is to go and look.
Brian Cox
The need to gain a greater understanding of the key concepts of Science is becoming ever greater in a world that is seeking to be more sustainable, environmentally friendly and to manage the changes and challenges to our environment and climate. Moreover, the world is facing unsustainable population growth and rising concerns over health and all of these challenges will not only be our challenges but the future generation’s too. Consequently, it could not be more important to offer high-quality and relevant teaching. We do this through our book-based and creative curriculum.
Scientific skills are developed through knowledge and concepts which stem from the texts we are reading and the children are encouraged to use their curiosity as a stimulus for observations, investigations and analysis. Opportunities are provided for pupils to test and challenge ideas through experimentation and to record their findings accurately to allow effective analysis of data.
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Values

Values

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Wellbeing Curriculum (PSHE)

Wellbeing Curriculum (PSHE)

Within our school, we aim to ensure that children develop personally, emotionally and socially. One of our school priorities is to use the idea that 'every child matters' at the centre of what we do. We aim to ensure that every child has access to the knowledge and skills that will enable them to remain safe and healthy, to contribute positively in any aspect of school life and the wider community, to enjoy and achieve, both in and out of school and we aim to equip children with the ability and desire to achieve economic well-being.
Our school is committed to building strong links with the wider community, and to providing a better service to the community that we serve. The subject of Personal Wellbeing provides an ideal vehicle to enable these links to be made. This can be achieved through various initiatives in school such as family learning, school mentoring, school council, community gardening projects and inter-school projects to name a few. We regularly invite people into our school and we maintain strong links with other community groups such as the elderly and the local high school.
Integral to the day to day life of Chantry, is that it is a values based school. Core values, including the British Values, are promoted through all aspects of school life; values which are essential to developing self-respect and regard for others and for making a positive contribution to society are discussed and explored with children in lessons, in assemblies and in everyday interactions. Values such as: respect; integrity; determination; hope; and empathy form part of our programme. We encourage parents to 'talk the language' of values and to promote these at home, so that we all play a part in helping children to 'live the values'.
Anti-Bullying
One of our anti-bullying workshops
Here at Chantry we also make the children aware of the importance of anti-bullying. This is delivered through interactive theatre productions and various activities for the children to take part in at school. Children are also encouraged to reflect on their health and well-being and we are very proud of our Health and Well-being award.
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