Prep Curriculum

We take great care to ensure that the transition is both seamless and happy. The three classes are based in a purpose built classroom wing solely for the use of Year 3 children with a cloakroom, toilets and library, which allows children to settle quickly and confidently into their new routines. We promote a caring attitude towards one another in an atmosphere of mutual respect, tolerance and equal opportunities for all. Our aim is to develop a love of learning and a focused approach to allow each child to reach their potential, encourage curiosity and perseverance, and greater independence in their learning. 

Seven year olds are curious. They want to know Why? What? How? They understand the concept of time and space, and that nature has a purpose. Their memory is increasing and abstract thinking is beginning. Verbal understanding increases and they can communicate their own thoughts more objectively. Skill levels expand to include endurance, agility, concentration, coordination and movement. Their stronger ability to coordinate hands and eyes can lead to more interest in drawing and printing.

A bespoke curriculum derived from the National Curriculum and the Independent Curriculum is the focus for pupils in Year 3. Children are taught in mixed ability classes, mostly in their own classroom, which provides security and begins their transition to becoming independent learners.  At Newland House, the emphasis on learning being fun, experiential and relevant to the children's world is continued from the Pre-Prep, and there is increased focus on independent learning.  The key skills of discovery, application and communication are developed throughout all subject areas. The curriculum provides opportunities for children to practise problem solving and for collaborative learning, where they can listen to each other’s points of view, facilitate learning and provide ideas for further discoveries. 

Our broad based curriculum encompasses the core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science; Humanities, Religious Studies and PSHCE, which are all taught by their class teachers who oversee the pastoral care of pupils in their class. Subject specialists teach Music, Art, Drama, French, PE, Games, Swimming, Computing and Design Technology.  Activities include school-based workshops for example, Anglo Saxon visitors, concerts and field trips related to areas of study to stimulate interest, and encourage research and group discussion. Extra-Curricular clubs include Chess Choir, Drawing and Swimming.

Children's progress is monitored and tracked throughout their time at Newland House, and a Teaching Assistant and the Learning Support Co-ordinator, provide classroom support, where necessary. In May, the children are tested in English, Mathematics and Science. The Humanities subjects are assessed through skill-based assessments throughout the year. 

Year 4 is a happy, stimulating environment where each pupil is valued and nurtured. We believe in the importance of promoting a caring attitude towards others in an atmosphere of mutual respect and equal opportunities for all. Our aim is to develop children’s strengths and abilities, allowing each child to reach their potential, and we promote an ethos, where they are inspired and excited by the learning process

In children between the ages of 8 to 9 years, their independence is increasing and they like to assume responsibility and get involved in extra-curricular activities. They are constantly learning about their abilities and skills. Their confidence improves in both learning and socialising. Every day experiences shape their developing values and beliefs, their ability to problem solve, their perception and verbal and non-verbal reasoning. They are beginning to develop the ability to retain information learned, apply it when needed, and enjoy the oral component of lessons where they participate in discussions and debate.

As in Year 3, Year 4 children are taught in familiar class groups, which are more reassuring and are gently prepared for more independence and ultimately transitioning around the school in Year 5 as subject specialism is introduced. Form teachers oversee the pastoral care of their pupils and teach core subjects but children still visit some specialist classrooms for lessons such as DT, Art and Computing.

Year 4 enjoy a varied curriculum where learning is valued and curiosity and perseverance are encouraged to develop enquiring minds and a greater independence in their learning. The key skills of discovering, applying and communicating are developed through the subject range. The curriculum provides opportunities for children to practise problem solving and for collaborative learning, where they can listen to pupils’ points of view, facilitate learning and provide ideas for further discoveries. The children are more independent and take greater responsibility for their own learning.

The subjects taught are: English, Mathematics, Science, (which is taught in the Junior Science Lab), History, French, Geography, Religious Studies and Personal, Social, Heath and Citizenship Education. Specialist teachers teach Music, Art, Design Technology, Computing, PE and Games. In addition, there is a weekly lesson in Thinking Skills, where the children are able to consolidate some of the meta cognitive processes that are needed to become creative and adventurous thinkers.

Children are challenged in Year 4 and embrace a full range of facilities and opportunities at Newland House. Activities include inter-school Mathematical challenges, a History trip to Warwick Castle and visitors related to areas of study which encourage the skills or research and project work. The extra-curricular opportunities available include chess, musical groups, concerts and a Music tour and Swimming, Drawing and Reading Clubs.

Children’s progress is monitored and tracked throughout the academic year. They have school examinations in November in the core subjects only and in all subjects in May. They also have Cognitive Ability Tests in November, which are fully standardised and help us to identify pupils’ strengths, weaknesses and learning preferences. They provide accurate, reliable and objective assessment data. As the tests are not about knowledge recall, they require no preparation thus offering pupils the same opportunity to show their underlying ability.

In Year 5, we build confidently on the foundations established in Year 4. We aim to develop happy, self-reliant, confident and well-mannered children and encourage them to be self-motivated and to become independent learners. High standards are promoted across the curriculum according to pupils’ individual ability and encourage them to assume greater responsibility for themselves, their possessions and their work. They develop a strong moral compass, putting the needs of others before themselves.

From ages 9-10, children feel more confident about themselves. They are capable of abstract thinking, reasoning and their language development increases. Special interests in hobbies, an increased interest in competitive sports and enjoy being members of clubs are evident. Right/left dominance is established and manipulative skills have increased. Hand eye co-ordination is well developed and children are ready for skills building in games and activities, which give practice in fine motor skills. They have increased body strength and hand dexterity.

In Year 5, pupils move around the school to classes designed for the delivery of their lessons by subject specialists who cover the full curriculum. They begin the Common Entrance 11+ syllabus in Mathematics and English and begin preparation for entrance examinations and pre-tests to senior schools. The children are well prepared for this progression and enjoy the focus and challenges it offers.

Subjects taught are: English, Mathematics, Science, French, History, Geography, Religious Studies, PSHCE, Thinking Skills, Computing, Music, Art, Design Technology, PE and Games. Thinking Skills in Year 5 enables pupils to practise verbal and non-verbal reasoning, which is excellent preparation for entrance examinations and pre-tests in Year 6.

It is an exciting time for the children who are encouraged to develop their problem solving and creative skills by taking part in national competitions such as inter school and UK Junior Mathematical challenges, a trip to Hampton Court Palace and Geography and poetry competitions.

Children are challenged and embrace a full range of facilities and opportunities at Newland House. The extra-curricular opportunities available include Chess, Reading, Debating, Geography and Drama clubs, musical groups, concerts and tours. Sports lessons are extended and there are more inter-school fixtures and tournaments.

Children’s progress is monitored and tracked throughout the academic year. School examinations take place in November in the core subjects and in May in all subjects. They also have Cognitive Ability Tests in November, which are fully standardised and help to identify pupils’ strengths, weaknesses and learning preferences. These provide accurate, reliable and objective assessment data. As the tests are not about knowledge recall, they require no preparation thus offering pupils the same opportunity to show their underlying ability.

In Year 6, we encourage high standards in children according to their individual ability. They develop a set of moral values, putting the needs of others first, become self-motivated to foster independent learning and develop into happy, self-reliant, confident and well-mannered children.

From ages 10-11, children take more responsibility and develop a sense of accomplishment at school and in their abilities. They listen critically, detect flaws in the reasoning of others, and question the validity of arguments. Sentences become more complex and they become more aware of choosing the most effective word to share feelings. Cognitively, their comprehension skills and use of language become more mature. They can priories, organise, plan, report and summarise more effectively.

Year 6 sees the continuation and culmination of the academic and emotional development the children have naturally undergone. There is a strong focus on independent learning with differentiation and support for those children with additional needs. We encourage a problem solving approach and aim to teach children how to learn and encourage them to develop strategies for thinking for themselves.

Subjects taught are: English, Mathematics, Science, French, History, Geography, Religious Studies, PSHCE, Thinking Skills, Computing, Music, Art, Design Technology, PE and Games. Thinking Skills in Year 6 enable pupils to practise verbal and non-verbal reasoning, which is excellent preparation for entrance examinations and pre-tests.  Latin is introduced into the curriculum.

Academic work becomes more demanding as pupils prepare for entrance examinations and pre-tests to senior schools. Setting is introduced in English and Mathematics and boys and girls are taught separately due to the differing demands of syllabuses. Thorough preparation in English, Mathematics and Reasoning is provided in the autumn and spring terms. Help is given with time management, prioritising, examination technique and study skills. An external interviewer provides interview practice.  With a broad range of abilities, our pupils on average achieve well above national expectations and many girls gain scholarships to senior schools.

Pupils are challenged and extended by visits and workshops. They are encouraged to develop their skills by taking part in demanding national competitions such as the SATIPS General Knowledge Challenge, inter school and UK Junior Mathematical challenges and poetry competitions. Our extra-curricular programme is designed to extend children’s experiences of the world, give them the opportunities to work and play together and give them skills and interests, some of which may last their whole lives.  Activities include a Junior Citizenship Day, Debating, Senior Reading, Design Technology, Drama and Basketball clubs.

Girls usually have their growth spurt earlier than boys and at eleven are physically more mature and academically more advanced than most boys. They show greater self-awareness and are more articulate at this stage, applying themselves and working in a more sustained fashion. Consequently, they are ready to move to senior school at eleven. As part of their Leavers’ Programme they enjoy a range of activities which include: a History trip to the Somme, Cookery Day, Eating Disorders and Internet Awareness and Year 7 transition workshop and a Young Enterprise Initiative, post examinations.

By the end of the summer term boys are ready to move Year 7 and take on the increased responsibility and opportunities available for their final two years at Newland House.

Year 7 continues with setting across the core subjects. Classes remain in their form rooms for registration and move around the school for specialist teaching. Art, Music and Design Technology are taught termly in rotation. Boys are challenged and extended with visits and workshops for example a History trip to Salisbury Cathedral, Medieval visitors and a French residential trip to Normandy to improve their French.

We offer a broad curriculum where boys are taught beyond the narrow confines of the National Curriculum and are academically stretched. We focus on the preparation of pupils for Common English and Scholarship to senior schools. We encourage a problem solving approach and aim to teach children how to learn and develop strategies for themselves. We engender in boys a thirst for knowledge and a love of learning, which enables them to leave Newland House with a broad range of skills covering all areas and specific abilities, which they will have honed during their time here.

We offer:

• Excellent subject specialist teaching which academically stretches, challenges, and provides public examination experience across the subject range
• Smaller class sizes with setting in English and Mathematics
• Study skills, time management development, and the foundations of GCSE
• Mathematical Challenges
• Townsend Warner History Competition
• SATIPS General Knowledge Challenge
• Debating Competitions
• French interschool Play
• Richmond Library Cover Story Competition
• A broad programme in Sport, Music, Art and Design Technology

During year 8 pupils continue to be prepared fro their Year 8 scholarship or Common Entrance examinations to Senior Schools, which take place in May and the beginning of June respectively.

We ensure that boys are challenged in their last two years by encouraging them to become mature and independent learners who are expected to play a leading role in the day- to -day life of the school.  We appoint Prefects, Music and Form Captains who take an active role in the School Council.

Academic work becomes more demanding as pupils progress to their final preparation for entrance exams and scholarship. The scholarship class begins a Greek course.  School examinations take place in November and trial examinations in March. The boys sit Common Entrance Examinations in up to 8 subjects: English (two papers); Mathematics (two papers); Science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics); French; Latin; History; Geography and Religious Studies. This takes place at Newland House at the beginning of June.

Boys are challenged, not only by the rigours of Common Entrance preparation, but through an exciting and diverse range of extra-curricular opportunities we offer. They enjoy lively debate and their ability to memorise and think logically improves. The boys become more articulate and have strong opinions and are more knowledgeable about current affairs. We offer an array of opportunities and experiences from historic sporting moments to key opportunities, all of which are crucial to each boy’s development during the key ages between eleven and thirteen.

Year 8 pupils participate in a Leavers’ Programme post examinations which affords them the opportunity to participate in a wide range of leadership and team building activities. They work with teachers for their last year of tuition in a more relaxed manner and participate in a wide range of opportunities.  Activities include a visit to Sky Studios, a Magistrate’s Court, First Aid course, rowing sessions, cookery workshop, Drug and Alcohol Awareness Programme and a Young Enterprise initiative.

Our commitment is to prepare children for the challenges they will face in their senior schools. By the time they are ready to move to their senior school they are well on their way to becoming successful learners, confident individuals and responsible citizens

By the age of thirteen boys are taller, articulate and more assured. They are ready to move on emotionally, psychologically and cognitively. They have the tools and skills to face the challenges of the senior school with confidence.