Subjects
Pupils in the Prep School learn from passionate and knowledgeable subject specialists and form teachers.
Maths
Our aim is to inspire an enjoyment of Maths in every child. We want children to look forward to their lessons, where they will be carefully challenged and supported to develop their knowledge, skills, self-confidence and resilience to enable them to achieve their very best.
Our ambitious approach develops children’s mastery of mathematical concepts through the Inspire Maths programme, based on Singapore Maths. Practical application and hands-on Maths are at the centre of learning, particularly in the lower years, as children begin their journey to developing a deep understanding of Maths.
Through equal focus on conceptual understanding, procedural fluency and application, learning goes far beyond memorising and instead focusses on enabling pupils to understand a concept from multiple perspectives, connect topics, and look for patterns that can help them understand future problems. Teaching built around the Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract approach builds confidence, understanding and depth of knowledge to support pupils on their journey to Maths mastery.
From a young age, the children begin to develop accuracy and speed of calculation, laying firm foundations for more complex skills to grow. By the end of Year 4, our children are secure, at speed, in all the multiplication tables and related division facts, number bonds and place value. Developing their mental agility, the children are regularly challenged to draw on their mathematical knowledge in new situations through complex problem solving, ensuring they gain mastery in Maths.
Children are taught in ability groups from Year 3 onwards and by subject specialists from Year 5, ensuring that every child is both supported and challenged at a level appropriate to them to ensure they grow into confident mathematicians. Additional support is available for children who require additional consolidation, and further extension is available to pupils who are ready for further challenge. Through our approach, our pupils are well prepared for and find great success in 11/13+ senior school exams.
Opportunities for further a love of Maths extend beyond the classroom and the much-enjoyed World Maths Day event sees all children from Year 1 upwards competing in this annual, global event. Children also regularly represent the school in a wide range of local and national competitions where they achieve great success.
English
Nurturing imagination and creativity and bringing books to life is our passion. Beginning in the Nursery, books and reading are the golden thread which runs through our curriculum.
Whether it is through Traditional Tales, carefully linked to phonics, and developing an understanding of story structure in Nursery or developing skills in reading comprehension through classic texts in Year 8, stories are at the heart of teaching.
Guiding pupils to connect themes from stories and literature studied in class to real-life experiences and current social and political issues is an invaluable opportunity to deepen their understanding of the world around them. With regular use of our incredible school library and the chance to explore a wide variety of texts in lessons, we encourage a true love of reading.
Carefully linked to developing a love of reading, children achieve high standards in writing, speaking, and listening. Our challenging and ambitious curriculum ensures that our pupils are well prepared for senior school exams, achieving great success and earning Academic Scholarship Awards at some of the country’s most academically selective senior schools.
Enrichment opportunities to enthuse and inspire children in English are plentiful, with regular clubs available for aspiring writers and avid readers who are keen to read with our youngest children in Pre-Prep. A plethora of competitions, trips and visits are organised throughout the year. Recent competitions entered include the 500 Words Story Writing Competition, Arts Richmond Writing Competition, and Black History Month Poetry Competition. Annually, the whole school community also comes together to celebrate important dates in the English calendar, including World Book Day, National Storytelling Week and National Shakespeare Day, when we are visited by well-loved authors and professional theatre companies.
Through English, we constantly strive to immerse and engage children in rich literature and to help them find joy in discovering, excitement in learning and strength in developing their own voice.
French and Spanish
We create a love for languages which will stay with your child for life. Pupils at Newland House enjoy a vibrant introduction to language learning as well as the opportunity to understand the richness of another country and culture.
Pupils learn French from specialist teachers through dynamic and interactive lessons which bring the language to life. Spanish is introduced as an additional language in Years 7 and 8. Strong foundations in both languages instil the children with the confidence to fully immerse themselves in the language in lessons and in real life situations, while also preparing them for success further into their educational journey.
For keen linguists, our weekly Language Studio Club introduces pupils to a wide variety of languages including Russian, Chinese, Italian, and German, to name but a few. Further enrichment opportunities are available to develop a love of languages, such as external languages competitions, performing with a visiting French Theatre company or visiting the BFI for foreign language film days; each one carefully selected to inspire and enthuse our young learners.
Science
In Science lessons, we foster curiosity and critical thinking skills while equipping pupils with the knowledge and ability to comprehend the world around them.
We use an investigative approach to teaching which emphasises the use of the scientific method, including predicting how things will behave, and analysing causes. Children become confident problem solvers who are skilled at making informed decisions.
From Year 3, pupils experience the benefits of our two fully equipped specialist Science labs. In Year 5, as the curriculum, skills and experiments become more detailed and challenging, specialist Science teachers take the lead in teaching. At this time, after adequate practice and supervision, pupils are delighted to have the opportunity to earn their Bunsen burner license!
In Years 7 and 8, senior pupils have additional opportunities for practical experimentation, including optional dissections that complement lesson content.
Learning extends far beyond the curriculum and is hugely enriched through a wide range of trips, educational visitors and workshops. Science week is a busy, action-packed highlight of the school calendar each year when every child benefits from varied and inspiring events.
At Newland House, we celebrate pupils’ enthusiasm for Science as it provides a platform to nurture independence, initiative, and future scientists through hands-on exploration of real-world concepts in the laboratory. Science has improved our lives dramatically and is vital to the world’s future prosperity that we create citizens who will be able to further society’s development.
History
Based in a location where we are surrounded by Historic buildings, castles, palaces, museums and battle sites, it is no surprise that History is a vibrant and well-loved part of our curriculum. Making as much use as we can of these wonderful resources, we take our pupils on a journey of discovery, hoping to nurture a lifelong love of History.
By developing key skills of historical interpretation and analysis, we want children to grow into historians who will question the world around them and critically consider events and significant people from history.
Whether it is learning about castles, Ancient Greece, Victorian Britain or Medieval times, we believe in bringing learning to life. Our wide and rich programme of visiting experts, workshops and educational visits includes many valuable experiences including a castles workshop in Year 1, Saxon day in Year 3, an immersive Ancient Greece residential trip in Year 4 and a residential trip to Normandy in Year 6.
Children at Newland House love History and we believe our approach fosters this love of historical people and events while also developing confident questioners and critical thinkers.
Geography
Geography teaches children to explore and question the world around them while helping them to understand their own role in it. While learning about different geographical places, the human and physical processes which shape them, and the people who live in them, your child will be encouraged to develop their ability to question, debate, analyse and hypothesise.
Hand in hand with this, is the development of geographical skills such as Ordnance Survey map work. Geography is taught as an independent subject from by form teachers in Years 3 and 4 and by subject specialists from Year 5 onwards. Local and international geography are taught in addition to a range of topics including volcanoes, weather, earthquakes, coasts, and climate change.
Every opportunity is provided to involve pupils in fieldwork both locally, on the Thames and in Bushy Park, and further afield on residential trips such as Juniper Hall for children Year 5 and our bi-annual trip to Iceland for our oldest pupils. Such experiences are a memorable and valuable way to consolidate concepts and bring learning to life in real world situations.
We want our young geographers to be responsible and engaged citizens who have the knowledge to understand, the empathy to support, and the confidence to challenge.
Religious Studies
Religious Studies is a profoundly rich and diverse subject which influences so much of today’s culture. Lessons are engaging and purposeful, ensuring that children develop knowledge of diverse cultures and traditions and a deep respect for different faiths.
Our curriculum is designed to be inclusive, covering major world religions and belief systems. Religious Studies lessons are safe spaces for open and respectful discussions. We encourage pupils to ask questions, share their perspectives, and learn from one another. Incorporating interactive activities such as storytelling, role-playing, Art, group discussions and debates brings learning to life and reinforces understanding.
Experiences outside of the classroom are key to pupils’ learning and help them connect with the wider world. That is why visiting real places of worship, hearing insights from guest speakers and sharing personal experiences and insights are central to our curriculum.
Throughout the academic year, we celebrate a variety of religious festivals, allowing your child to experience the cultural richness associated with different faiths. This includes participating in festive activities, trying traditional foods, and understanding the significance of each celebration. Such celebrations promote tolerance, respect, and a sense of unity among our pupils. By fostering these values, we prepare our pupils to navigate an increasingly diverse world with empathy and understanding.
Latin
Classics is alive and well at Newland House. You child will begin learning Latin in Year 6 and this continues into Years 7 and 8, developing their logical thinking, knowledge application and puzzle-solving skills. Although there is sometimes debate about the relevance of studying Latin, there is no doubt in our minds about its continued importance.
Latin has had an important influence on many later languages and is a valuable basis for studying them. Pupils build strong foundational knowledge and understanding of Latin through reading and writing are well placed to make connections with modern languages.
Throughout their three years of Latin, pupils are introduced to Classics and they learn about key Greek and Roman myths and life in the ancient world, becoming aware of how the Classical world has shaped our own times
PSHE
Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) lessons are delivered as part of the school curriculum. Here, topics such as ‘healthy body, healthy mind’, ‘coping with change’ and ‘healthy, happy friendships’ are taught in an age appropriate and sensitive way.
Computing
In an increasingly interconnected world, digital technology remains integral to the curriculum as we want to equip children with the essential skills needed to thrive in the 21st Century.
Within lessons, pupils explore fundamental computing functions through the Microsoft suite, encompassing word processing, spreadsheet management, and presentation creation. Ensuring that children know how to keep themselves safe online is of vital importance which is why every child is educated on crucial aspects of cyber-safety and security practices.
Pupils also learn the basics of programming, gain proficiency in graphic design, and experience the practical application of simulation software. It is our aim to empower our pupils as digital creators not just digital consumers; to be able to make games not just play them, and to write code not just use the software.
The school is well-equipped and in addition to our dedicated Computing suite, digital technology is part of teaching and learning throughout all subjects. iPads are available to enrich and support learning for all pupils and from Year 5 onwards, individual iPads are provided as an additional learning resource. This personalised approach fosters independence, collaboration and a heighten awareness of cyber safety and security.
Whether pupils are learning coding, touch typing, cyber security or the ethical considerations and use of AI, we aim to develop children who are safe, skilled and informed users of digital technology and well prepared for the future.
