Chestnuts Primary School

Chestnuts is a two form entry primary school in Haringey North London. At Chestnuts we are not afraid to try new and exciting initiatives. Since September 2017 we have implemented an exciting and creative curriculum for all children.

At Chestnuts we believe that children deserve and thrive on excitement in their learning, they learn best through having a wide range of opportunities that make their learning experiences irresistible. We believe that children learn best when immersed in their learning and when it is fun and engaging.

At Chestnuts we are fully committed to working with parents to give children the very best start in their education as well as supporting children to be well-rounded individuals and good citizens in the future. We have high expectations of everyone in our community ensuring we effectively work together to ensure children reach their potential in all areas of their personal development and learning.

At Chestnuts Primary School, we are proud that our pupils are well-rounded, happy, respectful children who feel cared for and valued. Our pupils’ attainment is in-line with the national average and they make better-than-average progress during their time with us. Our pupils also have high levels of attendance and are engaged with their learning.

We believe that learning should be fun, and that children should have a strong voice in driving their learning. Chestnuts Primary School will help pupils develop into young people who are: Ambitious and Creative. Responsible and Respectful. Compassionate and Curious. Resilient and Tolerant. We believe our pupils need these values in the classroom, the school and the wider world.

Chestnuts provides a broad and stimulating curriculum, encouraging a love of learning and allowing all pupils to make excellent progress and achieve high standards. As well as concentrating on core subjects, we will increase and improve the role of Art, Drama, Music, PE, Gardening and Cooking, and encourage the use of different learning environments.

Our diverse school requires a diverse approach to learning, reflecting our pupil’s strengths and interests and preparing them for the challenges of secondary school, and their aspirations beyond. We encourage and support flexi-schooling, attachment in education and experience-led learning in order to meet all our pupil’s needs.

We have an inclusive and nurturing approach to children and their families who may need additional support, including children with Special Educational Needs, Looked After Children and children with English as an additional language.

Our nursery and reception classes are a nurturing, stimulating and inspiring early years environment, where we support children in every aspect of their development. We provide a high-quality foundation stage, preparing children for the challenges of primary school.

Our inclusive school environment celebrates difference and diversity, and emphasises equality, respect and empathy. Each pupil’s needs are met, and each pupil feels welcome, valued, safe and happy.

At Chestnuts Primary School the Early Years Foundation Stage is the term used for the education of children in our Reception classes (Ahlberg & Donaldson) and our Nursery class (Carle). The 'Early Years Foundation Stage' is completed at the end of the year in Reception when children move into Key Stage 1 or Infants. (This comprises Years 1&2, whilst Key Stage 2 covers Years 3-6).

At Chestnuts our first aim is to settle the children happily into the school, as happy children are ready learners. To this end the early days in Reception will largely mirror pre-school provision and children will move gradually towards more formal work over the course of the year.

Well-planned play is a key way in which young children learn with enjoyment and challenge. Through play children explore and investigate learning experiences which help them make sense of the world, without fear of failure. However, there will be many children who are ready to work in a more structured way as the year progresses. We aim to challenge all the children and provide them with a range of opportunities and teaching strategies to extend their learning.

Chestnuts Primary was formed in September 2004 following the amalgamation of separate infant and junior schools. We offer places to 420 boys and girls. We have 14 classrooms, an art room, music room, a parent room, a garden and cooking room, swimming pool, fabulously resourced Library and a wide range of ICT equipment for use throughout the school.