Foundation Subjects

Foundation Subjects

Humanities

All teaching of history, geography, music and design technology is planned through a learning journey approach whenever possible and where relevant links are made to the Power of Reading text being used in English. These learning journeys provide a time for children to be creative and to nurture their skills and interest in an area outside of English, maths and science. We use both the local environment and local area, e.g. the beach and the De La Warr Pavilion, as much as possible. Bexhill has a very rich history for us to tap into. The development of key skills in each subject underpins all our learning journeys. Every year group takes part in arts enrichment activities each year e.g. Arts weeks, projects, working with artists. Pupils in all year groups are taught these subjects during our ‘Foundation Fridays’ this dedicated time to the foundation and arts curriculum, supports our pupils in developing their creative skills.

Computing

Our computing curriculum prepares children for the real world with a secure understanding of online safety issues. The children will be taught about using a range of text and multimedia resources, about data handling as well as ‘Technology in our Lives’.

The focus of the curriculum has shifted towards programming and coding, This begins in their Reception year where children will have access to programmable toys, into Key Stage One where they will develop their understanding of the logical way computers work, they will also start to write simple instructions or algorithms on the computer. This will progress into more complex programming and working with animations in Key Stage Two.

Religious Education

Religious education is given to all pupils in accordance with the Education Reform Act 1988 and the East Sussex County Council Agreed Syllabus. The syllabus is multi-cultural and non-denominational, the main Christian festivals are studied in all year groups and a proportion of children’s learning will be drawn from Christianity but all year groups also learn about another world religion. Our weekly lessons are further enhanced by two R.E. based learning journeys a year.

Daily assemblies are held, during which an act of collective worship takes place; this may be in the form of a whole school, key stage or class assembly. Parents should be aware that the law states that an act of worship must be wholly or mainly Christian in its nature. During our assemblies we also celebrate children’s achievements both in and out of school.

Our strong commitment to the children’s moral and spiritual development runs through all our school values and ethos as we work towards them becoming responsible citizens. We have developed strong links with St Peter’s Church which we visit regularly and where we hold both our Carol Service and our Leavers’ Service every year. We invite the Reverend at St Peter’s into school to support our R.E. and assemblies.

Parents who do not wish their children to be taught the agreed syllabus, or to take part in the short acts of worship held in school, should let us know and we will make alternative arrangements for these children.

Physical Education

At Chantry we promote a healthy and active lifestyle for all our pupils; we encourage children to be as active as possible and celebrate all their achievements in this area. Pupils are taught key skills in dance, gymnastics, team games and outdoor sports; including athletics. Pupils are expected to develop skills that are then applied to a sport. Competitive sport is promoted within the context of a supportive learning environment. We make maximum use of our outdoor area and our school hall. We make daily use of the running track we have around the playground.

All children in Year 3 and Year 4 have access to a programme of swimming lessons to reach the level of competence required in the National Curriculum.

We have close partnerships with local secondary schools, this supports our pupils in gaining access to a wider range of sporting facilities.