Our Intent: What do we want for our pupils?

At Newton Primary School, our curriculum is built around our belief in “Being the best that you can be.” We want every child to feel valued, included and confident that they can achieve well.

Our curriculum is ambitious for all pupils. It is broad, balanced and carefully sequenced so that knowledge and skills build progressively from the Early Years to Year 6. Strong foundations in reading, writing and mathematics support learning across the curriculum, while enrichment through sport, music, outdoor learning, visits and wider experiences helps to broaden pupils’ horizons.

We want children to be curious, enthusiastic and active participants in their learning: asking questions, exploring ideas, solving problems and developing increasing independence.

Our Newton values of Teamwork, Determination, Self-belief, Honesty, Passion, Respect and Resilience are woven throughout school life. They help pupils develop the character and attitudes they need to succeed, contribute positively to their community and prepare well for the next stage of their education.

We are committed to inclusion and high expectations for every child, including those with SEND and those who are disadvantaged. Our aim is that every pupil leaves Newton as a confident, knowledgeable, resilient and compassionate learner, ready for the future and inspired to be the best that they can be.

Implementation-  How do we deliver our curriculum?

Our curriculum is implemented through the discrete teaching of all National Curriculum subjects, with carefully sequenced units of work that build on what pupils already know and help them develop secure knowledge and skills over time. We want children to think and work as young geographers, scientists, artists, designers, historians and more.

We recognise the importance of high-quality direct teaching, alongside a range of approaches that keep pupils engaged and support different ways of learning. We use a blend of carefully selected published schemes and our own planning to ensure consistency, progression and high expectations across the school.

We place a strong emphasis on vocabulary, clear explanations, purposeful practice and regular retrieval so that pupils can remember more, make connections and apply their learning with increasing confidence.

Teaching is adapted to meet the needs of each class and individual pupils, ensuring that all children, including those with SEND or who need additional support, are able to access the curriculum and achieve well.

Impact: How do we know our curriculum is making a difference?

We want our pupils to know more, remember more and be able to apply their learning with confidence. We expect children to make good progress from their individual starting points and to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need for the next stage of their education.

Progress is assessed regularly through teacher assessment and formal summative assessments. In Reading, Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling, and Mathematics, children complete annual written assessments to support teacher judgement. Writing is assessed frequently and moderated both internally and across our cluster of schools.

In foundation subjects, progress is measured through teacher assessment, guided by clearly defined knowledge expectations for each class. This helps us identify what pupils know and understand, address any gaps and ensure that all children are supported to achieve and succeed.

The impact of our curriculum is also seen in pupils’ confidence, independence, resilience and ability to talk about and make connections in their learning.

If you have any questions about what your child is learning or about our curriculum, please contact your child’s class teacher or the school office.