Early Years and Reception
For our very youngest children we provide a high quality early years education, laying secure foundations for the future. We have high expectations with the emphasis on key skills and independence. Children work and play together within a good balance of play and more formal activities provided by our dedicated and experienced staff. Our Early Years is a major strength and sets the tone for learning, relationships and behaviour at Newdigate.
The curriculum is at first based on the 6 Early Learning Goals for under 5's:-
* personal and social
* language and literacy
* mathematics
* creative development
* physical development
* knowledge and understanding of the world
As children progress and develop, they are all working on the National Curriculum by the end of the Reception Year and will have been introduced to Literacy Hour activities at their own level. There is space and regular opportunity for structured outdoor play in the secure Reception outside area.
National Curriculum
At Newdigate School we incorporate a sense of fun and enjoyment with a good working atmosphere. We have a broad and balanced curriculum which is skills-based for our children to become independent learners.
Religious Education
Children’s spiritual development is a high priority and we have close links with St Peter’s Church where we hold Christmas, Harvest and Easter services to which parents are invited. The Rector is a regular visitor to the school. (The law states that parents have the right to withdraw their children from Religious Education and the daily act of worship, in which case they will follow a personal and social education programme with a classroom assistant). Ofsted commended our school for the excellent daily assemblies.
English
We aim to enable all children to be able to read for knowledge and for pleasure and to communicate their ideas clearly by speaking and writing. A wide variety of reading schemes and other books are used to teach reading and we have a well-stocked non-fiction library. Imaginative and factual writing are encouraged and good presentation is valued. All children have regular sessions of handwriting and spelling practice. The National Literacy Hour is incorporated into the curriculum. Our children mostly reach literacy levels well above average. Drama forms an integral part of our literacy curriculum.
Mathematics
Children acquire very good mental arithmetic and other mathematical skills, which are developed through investigation and discussion. They are supported by a range of traditional mathematics resources and schemes as well as computers to develop sound understanding and an enquiring mind. Attainment is mostly well above national averages.
Science
Our pupils are encouraged to develop enquiring minds and a scientific approach to problem solving. Life cycles, materials and physical processes are observed and studied and children learn to predict, hypothesize and devise fair tests. Our award winning environmental area provides an excellent resource for the study of living things.
Information and Communication Technology
We have high specification computers in every classroom and an interactive whiteboard. Children are able to store/retrieve information, use a database and CD Roms, access data from the Internet (using the usual safeguards available to schools). We have a set of laptops which constitute a mobile ICT suite.
Design Technology
We aim to help our children to be imaginative and creative as they design and make products. They use their own ideas and a variety of tools in safe conditions.
History and Geography
History and Geography skills are taught and developed within the skills-based approach. We use our village and church as starting points for learning and the children compare their own lives and surroundings to past times and different locations.
Music
We make music ‘hands on’ at Newdigate. Throughout the school the children are encouraged to communicate ideas, feelings and images using percussion and other instruments. There are frequent opportunities to sing, compose and listen and dance to music. Music is used at daily assemblies and church services as well as our annual Christmas production.
Physical Education
All children participate regularly in gymnastics, games and dance. We teach them to listen carefully, work safely and co-operate with each other. Physical abilities are developed through a regular programme of lessons and the school has its own swimming pool.Extra curricular football is offered at our school by a team of parents and multi sports clubs take place from time to time.
Art
We use art in its widest sense to develop skills and encourage creativity and innovation. Children draw, paint, print, weave, sew, and make collages, use dough clay and other modeling materials. Attractive displays of everyone’s work build confidence. We hold an annual Art Week in conjunction with four other local schools and this often involves a visiting artist who works with the children.
Special Education Needs
Provision for children with SEN is a strength of the school and we will work together with you if your child needs a special helping hand in any way. In the classrooms, children work according to their ability and if a child is experiencing difficulties, has particular skills, or if you feel that there is a problem, we will provide work and opportunities to meet the child’s needs. Every child is well supported in its learning. Children with specific difficulties may be referred (with parental agreement) to the Learning and Language Support Service, Educational Psychologist, CAMHS or Speech and Language therapist for additional advice and help.
PHSE
There is a programme for Personal, Social and Health Education throughout the school including regular circle times for pupil discussion. Our School Council meets regularly and has pupil representatives from each year group as well as a teacher and a governor.
Sex Education
Any questions asked by pupils will be responded to with sensitivity. This is taught through our PSRE and Science Schemes of work and builds up appropriate knowledge about ourselves and our bodies, feelings and emotions and relationships with others.
